The Graduate School of IST Austria allows students to earn a PhD degree. It is open to applicants from all over the world holding either am MS or BS degree (or equivalent). All participants are selected in an annual, institute-wide Admissions Procedure according to their research potential.

PhD students will take advanced courses and contribute to the research of one or more scientific groups. They will be employed by the Institute and remunerated adequately for their contribution at an internationally competitive level. The language of research and instruction at IST Austria is English. The length of the doctoral studies depends on previous degrees and individual progress, and will on average last four to five years.