PhD/Doctoral exchange at WU
This website is currently beeing updated with more information (last update May 23, 2024).
We welcome all PhD and doctoral students who are interested in a stay at WU. Below you will find information on the different options how you can spend an exchange at our university.
Please note
Exchange stay with Erasmus+ scholarship
Step 1: All incoming exchange students need a supervisor from WU who either has a habilitation or a tenure track position. You have to find a supervisor yourself, WU cannot appoint a professor to act as supervisor. If you contact a potential supervisor, we advise to send along a short concept (1 – 3 pages) about the intended topic.
Step 2: After your home university nominates you at WU, we can set up all Erasmus+ formalities. The nomination deadlines are May 1 for the winter semester and November 1 for the summer semester.
Step 3: Upon completion of all formalities, you will receive a letter of acceptance from WU.
Step 4: After arriving at WU, pay the student union dues (deadline October 30 / March 30) and pick up your student ID at the admission office.
Step 5: If you want to take courses, please send a course list to doktoratsreferat@wu.ac.at for course registration.
Incoming PhD and doctoral students with OeAD scholarship (Aktion Österreich, Ernst Mach-Stipendium)
Step 1: All incoming exchange students need a supervisor from WU who either has a habilitation or a tenure track position. You have to find a supervisor yourself, WU cannot appoint a professor to act as supervisor. If you contact a potential supervisor, we advise to send along a short concept (1 – 3 pages) about the intended topic.
Step 2: Complete the online pre-registration (pre-entry of your personal data is necessary for the next administrative steps).
Step 3: Send your application to the admission office phd.application@wu.ac.at using the subject line PhD Incoming – OeAD scholarship.
Application Documents
OeAD confirmation of awarded scholarship
Degree certificates/diplomas of your degree programs (bachelor’s, master’s, etc.)
Official transcripts/Diploma Supplements, stamped and signed.
Passport (only the page with your personal data)
In case of a change of name: official notification/certificate (e.g. marriage certificate, official notification of change of name)
Please note that any documents issued in a language other than German or English must be submitted along with a certified translation.
Incoming PhD/doctoral students without scholarship
If you do not receive a scholarship for your stay at WU and are not nominated by your home university, you can chose between a formal and a less formal stay. The difference is your status you will have at WU.
Student status
Student status is necessary if you want to take courses and receive an official transcript of records from WU. You can register as non-degree program student.
Step 1: All Incoming exchange students need a supervisor from WU who either has a habilitation or a tenure track position. You have to find a supervisor yourself, WU cannot appoint a professor to act as supervisor. If you contact a potential supervisor, we advise to send along a short concept (1 – 3 pages) about the intended topic.
Step 2: Complete the online pre-registration (pre-entry of your personal data is necessary for the next administrative steps).
Step 3: Make an appointment with the Admission Office during the enrollment period and bring your passport or national identity card.
Please note that non-degree program students of all nationalities are subject to tuition fees from the first semester on and are required to pay students’ union dues. Click here for information on paying tuition fees and students’ union dues.
Without student status
If you want to spend time at WU and do not need student status, you can come here upon invitation by a WU department or WU institute. To arrange your stay, please contact them directly with a short CV and an abstract of your research project in order to receive a letter of invitation. You will not be enrolled and if you plan to take courses, you will not receive an official transcript. Also, you will not be able to use the student infrastructure or receive official WU documents/confirmations.
You can still get access to WU’s library as external library patron. In order to receive your library card, please have a look at the Library Services and register for an appointment.
Incoming Exchange Studierende
- Availability & contact
- Exchange semester
- PhD/Doctoral exchange at WU
- ENGAGE.EU Study Offerings
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- THEMIS
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- International experiences at WU and abroad
- Opening hours