Vienna Graduate School Of Finance
PhD in Finance
Vienna, Austria
PhD
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
11 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Application Deadline 11.01.2026 (11:59 p.m. PST – Pacific Standard Time)
* All students are fully funded on admission to the program. Our students are employed by one of the partner universities and receive a gross monthly stipend of approximately € 2,786 (14 times a year), which includes health insurance. Funding is guaran
Key Summary
The PhD program is a 5-year, full-time program that is structured into coursework and research. The aim of the coursework is to equip students with the tools necessary to develop innovative research in finance. VGSF students are fully funded, allowing them to completely focus on their PhD.
Top 5 reason why you should choose VGSF
#1 STANDARD PhD FORMAT: Structured PhD program
#2 MENTORSHIP: Strong supervision and mentorship
#3 EXPERTISE: Research excellence
#4 CAREER NETWORK: Top international placements
#5 FUNDING: Fully-funded
Bonus reason #6: Vienna - state of the art living
Our program matches the US and international standard format: the first two years involve coursework to equip you with the tools necessary to conduct innovative research in finance and perform independent work on research projects.
This format provides you with solid foundations in the theory and empirical methods that are applied in finance to conduct your research.
You will receive continuous and extensive support from the faculty. VGSF has an open-door approach that intends to encourage dialogue and help you in choosing your supervisor(s).
Most students choose their supervisor(s) in their second year after they explored different research areas and been fully acquainted with the faculty.
The VGSF faculty members are leading experts in their fields and collaborate regularly with renowned experts and academics who are often invited to VGSF as guest lecturers or for seminars.
The faculty works with students to achieve state-of-the-art research. VGSF wants you to focus on your research, for this reason only little teaching is required.
We have built a worldwide network with our graduates who hold positions in top academic and industry institutions like Chicago Booth, Bocconi University, and many more. Our students secured top-level jobs in excellent institutions after graduation and VGSF regularly invites them for seminars so that they can pass on their valuable experience and knowledge to the current students.
You do not need to find additional funding to subsidize you PhD, as you will be employed by one of the universities. We offer you competitive funding, which includes a monthly salary and subsidies to attend conferences. Your salary includes health insurance and you receive a net salary, entailing that you would not need to file your taxes.