PhD in Political Science - Public Policy

quantitative and qualitative methodologies and emphasizes empirically driven analysis. The core courses in the track focus on developing professional research and analytical skills in European and international public policy, comparative policy analysis and political economy.

Careers

As a graduate of the doctoral program in Political Science, you will be well prepared to compete for positions at prestigious academic institutions and in other professional areas where critical thinking, communication and advanced research skills are particularly important, such as public administration, data analysis, publishing, journalism and media.

Programme Structure

Research areas:

• European Union politics and policy, regional integration
• Governance (local, national, European Union, global)
• Public management and administration
• Policy reform analysis
• Development and trade
• Role of civil society in public policy
• Minorities
• Public services and utilities (particularly media and communications, energy and higher education)
• Economic and labor market policy
• Political parties and public policies

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)
• PTE Academic: 76
• IELTS: 7

General requirements

• Applicants should have an MA or equivalent in political science studies or a related discipline.
• Two letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your work.
• Statement of purpose (maximum 500 words).
• Research proposal (maximum 1,500 words excluding references). The research proposal must be rooted in the relevant scholarly literature and demonstrate an understanding of the state of the art in your field.

Students who submit doctoral research proposals on:

• Public Policy (PP): policy and practice, European Union politics and policy; regional integration; governance (local, national, European Union, global), public management and administration; policy reform analysis, development and trade, the role of civil society in public policy, minorities, public services and utilities (particularly media and communications, energy and higher education), economic and labor market policy, and political parties and public policies.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

• International: Non-residents — 24,135 AUD / year (≈ 15,000 EUR / year)
• EU/EEA: 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. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Below you will find PhD scholarship opportunities for Political Science - Public Policy.

Available Scholarships

• Academic Achievement Award for First-Year Doctoral Students — Grant 500 EUR, Deadline 15 Jan 2027, Central European University (CEU), Vienna, Austria (Merit-based)
• Award for Advanced Doctoral Students — Grant 800 EUR, Deadline 15 Jan 2027, Central European University (CEU), Vienna, Austria (Merit-based)
• Winter School Grant — Grant 1500 EUR, Deadline 07 Nov 2026, Central European University (CEU), Vienna, Austria
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Grant Various benefits, Deadline 07 Oct 2026, U.S. government
• Summer courses of Lectures for Institutes of Languages from the University — Grant Various benefits, Deadline Anytime, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation (Merit-based)
• ServiceScape Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 30 Nov 2026, ServiceScape
• ACES Scholarships — Grant 3500 USD, Deadline 15 Nov 2026, ACES Education Fund
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Grant Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation (Merit-based)
• ELES-Scholarship (Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk) — Grant 1550 EUR, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• Ernst Mach Grant for studying at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 01 Feb 2027, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility in Austria — Grant Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, IvyPanda (Merit-based)
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 01 Mar 2027, Voice Talent Online
• Dream Chaser Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 13 Jan 2027, Salvado Law (Merit-based)
• Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 01 Mar 2027, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation (Merit-based)
• Scholarship for students with disabilities — Grant 3000 USD, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Anonymous Hope Fund (Need-based)
• Ernst Mach Grant - Worldwide — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 01 Feb 2027, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• Semester grant and grant for short-term stays of the "Aktion" Austria-Czech Republic — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 15 Oct 2026, Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Republic of Austria
• Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria — Grant Various benefits, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Leopold Figl Foundation (Need-based)
• Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant — Grant 715 EUR, Deadline 31 Mar 2027, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Grant 1500 USD, Deadline Not specified, IELTS from 6 to 9
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant 12000 USD, Deadline 11 Jan 2027, The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme