Doctoral Thesis

(Overview of procedure)

(1) Topic Selection

A dissertation is an independent scholarly work and must demonstrate an element of originality, as required by law.

Requirements for supervision include, but are not limited to:

 

• Strong interest in European Union law, as demonstrated by previous work in the field; 

 

• Excellent academic performance in European Law

 

• Language skills required: German, English, and French; knowledge of an additional EU language is desirable.

 

Please prepare in advance of any personal meeting and send by email to sp.eulaw.europarecht@univie.ac.at :

 

• A specific topic proposal

 

• A preliminary concept (approx. 3–5 pages)

 

 

• (At least) two of your own academic papers (e.g., article, diploma thesis, seminar paper, term paper, etc.)

 

• A brief CV and proof of the achievements listed above.

 

If supervision appears feasible, we will agree on a preliminary working title during an initial meeting.

(2) Concept development

Next, you will prepare a detailed concept (approx. 15 pages), including:

 

• A preliminary table of contents (planned structure of the thesis)

 

• A bibliography (concise and limited to directly relevant literature – no general textbooks or overview works)

 

In a follow-up discussion, you will present:

 

• What makes your topic suitable for a dissertation

 

• Which legal problems it addresses

 

• Your research question(s)

 

The decision to accept supervision is based on the concept, the discussion(s), and any necessary revisions leading to a formal dissertation exposé.

You are requested to attend one of my seminars.

(3) Submission

After acceptance, please submit your dissertation proposal, supervision confirmation, dissertation agreement, and exposé to the Doctoral Studies Directorate.

The curriculum for the Doctoral Programme in Law is available as a PDF on the university website.

Master thesis

(1) Finding a topic

A master’s thesis is a scholarly piece of work, as required by law.

Requirements for supervision include, but are not limited to:

 

• Demonstrated Interest in the subject of research

 

• Very good grades in European Union Law

 

• Language skills: German, English, and one additional widely spoken EU language (e.g., French, Italian, Spanish, Polish)

 

Please prepare and send via email to sp.eulaw.europarecht@univie.ac.at:

 

• A specific topic proposal

 

• A preliminary concept (approx. 3–5 pages)

 

 

• One or two of your own academic papers

 

• A brief CV and proof of the achievements listed above.

(2) Drafting the concept

If supervision appears possible, a preliminary working title will be agreed upon.

Next, you will develop a concept (approx. 10 pages), consisting of:

 

• A tentative structure

 

• A bibliography limited to directly relevant literature

 

In a follow-up meeting, you will explain:

 

• Why your topic qualifies as a master’s thesis

 

• The specific legal issue involved

 

• Your research question(s)

 

You are requested to attend one of my seminars.

(3) Submission

Supervision will be confirmed based on your concept, the discussion(s), and possible revisions leading to a formal exposé.

Afterward, please submit the master’s thesis topic and confirmation of supervision to the IREWI (International and European Legal Studies) Programme Study Service Center