Bursa » Vienna Graduate School of Economics, Austri

The common standard for graduate education in economics around the world is a broad economics PhD program with microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics as the three pillars.

This is because economists nowadays use the same tools and methodology. Especially game theory, information economics, dynamic optimization techniques, as well as econometric and statistical techniques are used across the different areas of economics. 

Proper understanding and application of these tools in various areas is the key to modern research. Knowing these techniques, researchers are able to move relatively smoothly between different subfields.

VGSE takes this philosophy as a starting point. Its faculty members either specialize in developing the techniques needed in modern economic research or apply them in their fields of expertese. Modern research tends to require a combination of techniques to study economic issues.

Students are able to spend most of the three-year program on their dissertation research and on attending research seminars in which they experience how research is started up, conducted, and finally reported.

The final dissertation should show that the students are able to execute original and innovative research ideas.

The grant of the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF) allows VGSE to offer attractive fellowships to the best applicants. VGSE is highly selective with all types of students. Students who receive a full fellowship scored highest on the selection criteria. The criteria we use to select students can be found under application.
The application for the program automatically includes the application for a fellowship.

There are three types of fellowships:

1. Full fellowship
   Employment contract with the University of Vienna
   Yearly gross salary: € 26.580 → net € 19.280
   Social insurance
   Research grant to attend conferences, summer schools, or extended research visits abroad
   Exemption from study fees
   Fully equipped workplace
   
   
2. Limited fellowship (paid by the Institute for Advanced Studies)
   Yearly net fellowship: € 10.200 (no taxes apply)
   Research grant to attend conferences, summer schools, or extended research visits abroad
   Exemption from study fees
   Fully equipped workplace
   
   
3. No fellowship
   Research grant to attend conferences, summer schools, or extended research visits abroad
   Exemption from study fees
   Fully equipped workplace

The first application period lasts from December 1st, 2012 to January 31st, 2013.
During these two months applications for the first deadline will be received.

There are two independent application deadlines for the academic year 2013/2014 (program start October 2013).
Most fellowships are allocated in the first application round.

The application process consists of the application package and a personal interview with the shortlisted candidates.

Application Package

1. Application form
2. Your Application documents (one pdf file) uploaded to the application form in this order:
   1. CV (max. 2 pages)
   2. Motivation letter (1 page)
   3. Research proposal (1 page)
   4. BSc or Magister certificate 
   5. MSc or Magister certificate (finished at the start of the program only)
   6. Transcript of grades of your MSc or Magister studies
   7. Reading lists or syllabi (content and literature) for MSc level courses in:
      • Microeconomics
      • Macroeconomics
      • Econometrics
   8. GRE test result (DI Code 6733)
   9. English test result (TOEFL Code Number 6757, or IELTS test, or waiver request)
3. Two recommendation letters sent to application@vgse.at by the referees directly

Personal Interview

Interviews may be held face-to-face, via telephone, or via Skype.