Vienna Graduate School of Finance (VGSF) Funded PhD in Finance 2027/2028

About this scholarship

A funded PhD in finance in Vienna for applicants with a master's in finance or a related field such as economics. Up to four places are offered each year, and admitted students are employed on a salary guaranteed for five years.

Funding type

Covers: a job at one of the partner universities with a gross salary of at least EUR 2,786 a month, paid 14 times a year, with health insurance included. The funding is guaranteed for five years if your academic progress is good. Tax and social insurance are deducted from the gross salary. There are no tuition fees.

Tuition fees

Covered

Living costs

Covered

Travel

Not specified

Insurance

Covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

All nationalities

Residence condition

No residence condition

Open to all nationalities. The page sets no nationality limit A master's in finance or a related field such as economics, or an equivalent postgraduate degree. You can apply if you will finish it before the programme starts in September A GMAT or GRE score no older than five years Proof of English if it is not your first language Strong motivation for research in finance

Minimum grade

Not stated

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return condition not stated

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required TOEFL iBT IELTS Cambridge English TOEIC Waiver possible

TOEFL iBT 100 or more, or IELTS 7.0 or more with no band below 6. CAE, CPE, BEC Higher and TOEIC 800 or more are also accepted. Results must be under two years old. A degree from an institution that teaches in English is also accepted, with a letter from your programme coordinator confirming it.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

Apply online through the WU application tool, which opens from the VGSF apply page during the application period only. The application period for positions starting in fall 2027 runs from 1 November 2026, 2:00 pm Central European time, to 11 January 2027, 11:59 pm Pacific time (PST). Reference letters must arrive by the same deadline, and incomplete applications are not considered. The admissions committee invites the strongest applicants to an interview in person or on Zoom, then ranks them and sends offers. Positions usually start in September or October.

Required documents

Statement of purpose: why you want a PhD, your career plans, why VGSF, and your research interests and experience Bachelor's and master's diplomas and transcripts in English or German, with grading scales for degrees from outside Austria If you are still studying: a letter from your programme coordinator confirming your enrolment, with current transcripts Detailed CV GMAT or GRE score (institution code 9618) English test result or proof of an English-taught degree At least two recommendation letters, uploaded by your referees through a personal link

Application steps

Take the GMAT or GRE and the English test early, so the results are ready before the deadline. From 1 November 2026, open the application tool from the VGSF apply page and fill in the form. Enter your referees' names and emails, and send them the personal upload link. Upload all documents and submit before 11 January 2027, 11:59 pm Pacific time.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

VGSF office: [email protected]Copy

Universities and contacts