Central European University (CEU)
Doctor of Philosophy in Network Science
Vienna, Austria
PhD
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 15,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application deadline for doctoral programs for applicants from all countries, all applications must be complete with any applicable standard test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc.)
** payable in one or two installments, non-refundable initial tuition fee installment (€500 EUR) is paid to confirm your acceptance of our offer of admission and is credited towards the 1st tuition fee installment in year 1
Key Summary
About: The PhD in Network Science at Central European University is the only PhD in this field in Europe. It covers network analysis and computational methods for complex systems like online society and the economy, gives hands-on experience with large datasets, and offers applied or theoretical research paths. Approved by the New York State Education Department; accredited by AQ-Austria. Next deadline 15 October 2026; apply: https://www.ceu.edu/admissions
Career Outcomes: Graduates often work as academic researchers, data scientists, industry research scientists or policy analysts, in universities, tech firms, government, NGOs and consulting, using network modeling, big-data analysis and visualization, with quantitative skills.
The PhD program in Network Science is a research-oriented program that provides the only PhD degree in this field in Europe. Network science provides essential tools to study complex systems including society online and offline, the economy or urban traffic. Accordingly, the program provides hands-on experience with large datasets characterizing those systems and the skills needed to analyze them. At the same time, network science is a rapidly developing new discipline with ample opportunities to do fundamental research. Within the PhD program, there are possibilities to carry out research either in applied or theoretical-methodological directions.
Program Accreditation/Registration
- The program was approved and registered by the New York State Education Department.
- Program accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ-Austria)
The core courses will provide students with the necessary background to develop their research program in any of the main areas above. The specific topics mentioned above are not exhaustive, and students are encouraged to creatively formulate their own original research program.
During their research work, students will participate in international research projects, and by the end of their PhD studies they will develop into independent researchers, with the ability to contribute to network science in its entire scope.
Students admitted into CEU doctoral programs are eligible to receive the CEU Doctoral Fellowship for up to three years and to an optional write-up grant of six additional months. Numerous additional funding opportunities exist, including travel grants.
CEU has an international reputation for high-quality postgraduate education delivered in a research-led environment. In pursuit of our mission, we strive to attract the very best graduates worldwide for our doctoral program. Candidates who apply by the financial aid deadline are automatically considered for the CEU Doctoral Scholarship, covering the full cost of tuition, complete with a monthly stipend to assist with housing and living costs.
Doctoral Stipend - 1,680 EUR/gross/month (=1,350 EUR/net/month for students who have no other taxable income)*
*PhD stipends are taxable in Austria. PhD students are considered new self-employed individuals in Austria, and they have to file their taxes and register at the national SVS insurance provider.
Housing
Doctoral students receive a monthly stipend to help with housing and living expenses. Each student is responsible for securing accommodation for themselves.
Please note: The CEU Doctoral Scholarship is awarded for a period of 48 months in total.