PhD in Philosophy

Overview

This PhD program builds on your knowledge of the core philosophical theories and methodologies through inquiry-based learning and an interdisciplinary research approach, encouraging students to frame contemporary philosophical questions in the context of their specializations.

The mandatory curriculum consists of research and practice-oriented Departmental Colloquia and seminars, during which students hear talks from professional philosophers on diverse topics, participate in advanced philosophical debates and receive feedback from peers and faculty on their dissertation progress. The primary aim of this program is to offer a broad selection of in-depth courses and guide you in the successful formulation, design, implementation, and presentation of an original doctoral research project in the field of theoretical philosophy.

Careers

Students who wish to embark on a professional journey after graduation will benefit from a wide range of employable skills nurtured in this program, such as analytical thinking, the ability to ask better questions, and complex problem-solving in interdisciplinary settings. You may consider exploring roles with the following job titles:

• Bioethicist
• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Historian
• Journalist
• Philosophy Teacher
• Policy Officer
• Political Scientist
• Technology Ethicist

Programme Structure

Courses include:

• Moral and Political Philosophy: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals;
• Political Obligation;
• Normative Ethics Metaphysics, Epistemology and Philosophy of Mind: Intuition and Knowledge;
• Substance, Ontology, Mind;
• Atomism.

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

• GRE® — Required
• GMAT — Required

English requirements

• Duolingo English Test: 130
• TOEFL® iBT: 100 (or 5 on the new TOEFL iBT 1–6 score, CEFR-aligned)
• PTE Academic: 76
• IELTS: 7

General requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in philosophy and a background in the history of European philosophy and in logic (propositional and predicate).
• Two letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with your work (if you wish to submit three letters, please state your reasons for doing so in your application).
• Statement of purpose (2–4 pages single-spaced) which describes the applicant’s interest in CEU and their proposed topic for a thesis.

Tuition Fees

• International (non-residents): 24,135 AUD / year ≈ 15,000 EUR / year
• EU/EEA Nationals: 24,135 AUD / year ≈ 15,000 EUR / year

Additional details: Doctoral programs (year 1): 15,000 EUR; Doctoral programs after comprehensive examination (years 2, 3, and 4): 5,000 EUR.

Living costs

Vienna, Austria: 1,385–2,142 AUD / month (covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities, books and groceries).