Artistic Research PhD Programme (PhD in Art) – University od Applied Arts Vienna

University od Applied Arts Vienna (Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien)

Vienna | Austria (Wien)

Artistic Research PhD Programme (PhD in Art)

Fine Arts – Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Drawing, Decorative Art, Scenographic Art
Multimedia Arts, Audio-visual Techniques and Media Production
Design – Graphic Design; Industrial Design; Fashion Design; Textile Design…
Pedagogy of Art, Art Education and Art Therapy
Other fields

6 semesters

Public University

Self-funded PhD – you must provide both tuition and your own maintenance
PhD Fully or partially externally funded, with a stipend, through private or public foundations, scholarships, grants, one or more companies, or public institutions that you have to find on your own

Fees:

EU/EEA & Swiss citizens: €0 during the nominal period + 2 semesters; afterward €363.36 per semester (standard federal rule)
Non-EU/EEA citizens: €726.72 per semester
All students: mandatory ÖH Fee ≈ €22.70

Funding resources:
Information can be found at www.stipendium.at or https://grants.at/de/

Artistic research project – Original body of artistic work (any medium) plus a written reflection that articulates research questions, methods, and findings.
Public presentation – At least one exhibition, performance, screening, or equivalent public showing during the program.
Defense (Defensio) – 40-minute presentation of the artistic project followed by a scholarly discussion with a committee (supervisor, second examiner, external expert).
Publication – Archival documentation of the artwork(s) and the written reflection deposited as a bound volume + digital copy in the university repository and the Austrian National Library.

Secure a supervisor – Obtain written consent from a professor with venia docendi in the relevant artistic field.
Prepare ONE PDF dossier
- Artistic résumé
- Portfolio (links or embedded media)
- 10-page project concept (aims, methods, timetable) + one-page abstract
- Preliminary bibliography & resource list
- Supervisor’s consent letter
- Proof of English B2 (program language)
Submit online via the university portal by January 15 (summer start) or August 15 (winter start).
Entrance examination
- Part A – Artistic audition / portfolio review (max 15 min demonstration of current practice).
- Part B – Project interview (≈ 20 min defense of the concept).
- The admissions commission scores both parts; only applicants rated passed or passed with distinction are admitted.
Enrollment – Successful candidates sign the doctoral agreement and enroll for semester 1.

Completed Master’s / Magister / Diploma in an artistic discipline (or equivalent artistic qualification).
Demonstrated professional artistic practice.
English language proficiency at B2 level (verified during the admission hearing).
Positive assessment in the two-stage entrance examination.