Supporting Material

Please submit all the documents listed below. Please include the name of the document and your own name when saving documents, e.g. “IELTS_John Smith.pdf. Upload files in pdf format, if possible.

1. Statement of purpose

Your statement of purpose should outline why you are interested in completing a PhD program and should include the following information:

Your motivation for applying for a PhD program, your longer-term career plans, and any special reasons for applying to VGSF specifically. Describe which form you think your research might take and your interests. Please also give details of any research experience you may have.

2. Degree certificates and official transcripts

Please provide us with diplomas and transcripts of your bachelor’s and master’s programs, and make sure your documents are in English (or German). If your degree was issued outside of Austria, please include grading scales or similar information (otherwise, grades/transcripts may have little or no meaning).

If you are still pursuing a master’s degree, please provide us with a letter from your program coordinator confirming that you are currently enrolled in the program, and provide us with your diploma and transcripts of your bachelor’s program. Please include current transcripts for your master’s program, as well. If these transcripts were issued outside of Austria, please include grading scales or similar information.

3. Curriculum Vitae

Please provide a detailed résumé.

4. GMAT or GRE

GMAT or GRE (code number 9618); results should not be older than five years.

5. Proof of English competence (only for non-English native speakers)

Applicants who are not English native speakers should submit a proof of English Competence.

English tests
Please submit either valid test results from one of the English tests listed below or proof that you have earned a degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction. Test results should not be older than two years.

We accept the following English test results:

• TOEFL (code number 9618): paper-based at least 600 points; computer-based at least 250 points; online at least 100 points
• IELTS: at least 7.0 points (no band below 6)
• CAE
• TOEIC: at least 800 points
• CPE
• BEC Higher

Degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction
Provide us with a letter from your program coordinator confirming that the language of instruction was English.

Other documents
If you have other documents proving your English proficiency, please contact us by email prior to submitting them (office(@)vgsf(.)ac(.)at).

6. Reference Letters

Please provide at least two recommendation letters supporting your application to the program.

During the online application process, you will be asked to provide the name and email address of your references.You will receive a personalized link that you can send to the persons providing the reference. They can use the link to upload the letters (.pdf-format). Reference letters must be received before the application deadline.