Finding the right PhD position often means checking dozens of university websites, one department at a time. Aarhus University in Denmark has simplified this by grouping all its PhD openings under five graduate schools, each covering a wide set of academic fields. Whether your interest lies in linguistics, molecular biology, mechanical engineering, or political science, there is very likely a graduate school here that matches your area of study.
This post walks you through how the PhD system at Aarhus University works, what kind of positions are available, which fields you can apply under, and where to find the actual vacancy listings for each school. Rather than a single scholarship with one fixed deadline, this is an ongoing system of PhD calls, so the way you search and apply is a little different from a typical scholarship post.
How PhD Recruitment Works at Aarhus University:
Aarhus University runs its doctoral programmes through graduate schools rather than individual departments. Each graduate school manages its own recruitment, which means deadlines, required documents, and selection processes differ from one school to another.
There are two main routes into a PhD at Aarhus University. The first is applying for a predefined PhD project, where the research topic, supervisor, and funding have already been arranged by the university, and you simply apply to join that specific project. The second route is more independent: you develop your own PhD project proposal and submit it through an open call, meaning you design the research question yourself and the graduate school evaluates your proposal on its own merit.
Both routes exist across most of the five graduate schools, so applicants have flexibility depending on whether they already have a defined research idea or prefer to join an existing project.
Key Details:
- Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral)
- Host University: Aarhus University, Denmark
- Application Deadline: Not fixed; each graduate school sets its own deadlines, published at least two weeks before the closing date
- Number of Graduate Schools: Five (Arts, Aarhus BSS, Health, Natural Sciences, Technical Sciences)
- Application Type: Predefined projects or self-developed project proposals through open calls
- Nationality Requirement: Open to applicants from all nationalities
- Application Fee: Not mentioned on the official page; applicants should confirm directly through their chosen graduate school’s application portal
What This Opportunity Offers:
A PhD position at Aarhus University is not just an academic label. Once accepted, you become part of a structured doctoral programme where your research is guided by supervisors within one of Denmark’s leading research environments, and you gain access to the same resources, laboratories, and academic networks as the university’s permanent researchers.
You also get the chance to specialize deeply in a subject you care about, whether that is through joining a project the university has already designed or by shaping your own research direction from the ground up. For applicants who choose the open call route, this means real ownership over your academic contribution rather than simply executing someone else’s research plan.
Being part of a Danish university also connects you to a wider European academic and research culture, something that adds long-term value to your career whether you stay in academia afterward or move into industry or policy work. Denmark’s research system is known for close collaboration between disciplines, so PhD candidates often end up working alongside people from very different academic backgrounds, which broadens both perspective and opportunity.
The Five Graduate Schools and Their Programmes:
Each graduate school at Aarhus University covers a distinct group of academic disciplines. Here is a breakdown of what each one offers.
Graduate School of Arts:
This school focuses on humanities and social-cultural research. Programmes include:
- Anthropology, Global Studies and the Study of Religion
- Art, Literature and Cultural Studies
- Didactics
- History, Archaeology and Classical Studies
- ICT, Media, Communication and Journalism
- Language, Linguistics, Communication and Cognition
- Learning and Education
- Theology, History of Ideas and Philosophy
Aarhus BSS Graduate School:
BSS stands for Business and Social Sciences, and this school covers fields tied to economics, governance, and organizational behavior. Programmes include:
- Business Development and Technology
- Economics and Business Economics
- Law
- Management
- Political Science
- Psychology and Behavioral Science
- Social Science and Business
Graduate School of Health:
This school is built around medical and health-related research. Programmes include:
- Biomedicine
- Public Health
- ClinFO (Clinical Medicine, Odontology and Forensic Medicine)
Graduate School of Natural Sciences:
Covering core scientific disciplines, this school includes:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Geoscience
- Mathematics
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Nanoscience
- Physics and Astronomy
Graduate School of Technical Sciences:
This is the largest school in terms of applied and engineering fields, covering:
- Agroecology
- Animal Science
- Bioscience
- Biological and Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Architectural Engineering
- Ecoscience
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Food Science
- Mechanical and Production Engineering
- Quantitative Genetics and Genomics
Eligibility Criteria:
Since each graduate school runs its own admission process, the exact requirements will vary depending on where you apply. That said, there are a few general points every applicant should keep in mind:
- You should hold, or be close to completing, a relevant Master’s degree in a field connected to your chosen graduate school
- Applicants from any nationality are welcome to apply, as none of the five schools restrict eligibility by country
- For predefined PhD projects, your academic background should align closely with the specific project description published by the university
- For open call applications, you will need to prepare a clear and well-structured project proposal demonstrating your own research idea
- Language requirements, reference letters, and specific documents will be listed individually on each graduate school’s own application page, so always check the relevant link before applying
Predefined Projects vs Open Call Applications:
It’s worth understanding the difference between these two paths a little more, since it changes how you prepare your application.
If you apply for a predefined project, the university has already secured funding and defined the research scope. Your job is to show that your academic background, skills, and interests fit what the project requires. These positions tend to move faster since the research direction is already fixed, and supervisors are looking for a good match rather than an entirely new idea.
If you apply through an open call, you’re essentially pitching your own PhD idea to the graduate school. This route demands more preparation on your end, since you need to write a solid project description, explain why it matters, and show that the graduate school has the right expertise and facilities to support your specific research. It’s a good route for applicants who already have a strong research question in mind and want the freedom to explore it independently.
How to Apply:
Because Aarhus University does not run one single centralized PhD application, the process depends on which graduate school matches your field. Here’s the general approach to follow:
- Identify which of the five graduate schools matches your academic background and interests
- Visit that specific graduate school’s vacancy page to see current predefined projects or open calls
- Check the deadline carefully, since calls are published at least two weeks before they close and deadlines differ between schools
- Decide whether you are applying for an existing project or submitting your own project proposal
- Prepare the required documents as listed on that school’s application page, which typically include academic transcripts, a CV, and reference letters
- Submit your application directly through the relevant graduate school’s official application portal before the deadline
Direct links to each graduate school’s vacant position page:
- Faculty of Arts: phd.arts.au.dk/applicants/open-and-specific-calls
- Aarhus BSS Graduate School: bss.au.dk/en/research/phd/application
- Graduate School of Health: phd.health.au.dk/application/opencalls
- Graduate School of Natural Sciences: phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/open-calls
- Graduate School of Technical Sciences: phd.tech.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here
A Few Practical Tips Before You Apply:
Because these calls open and close on a rolling basis rather than one fixed annual date, it helps to check your target graduate school’s page regularly instead of waiting for a single announcement. Setting a reminder to check every couple of weeks is a simple way to avoid missing a call that only stays open for a short window.
If you’re planning to apply with your own project idea, start drafting it early. A strong, well-argued proposal takes time to refine, and rushing it close to a deadline usually shows in the quality of the writing and the depth of the research plan.
It’s also worth reaching out to potential supervisors within your chosen graduate school before submitting an open call application. A short, well-written email introducing your research interest can sometimes make your formal application stronger, since the supervisor already has context on your idea before it lands in the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions?:
Is there one single deadline for all PhD positions at Aarhus University?
No. Each of the five graduate schools manages its own recruitment schedule, and deadlines vary depending on the specific call or project.
Can international students apply for these PhD positions?
Yes. Aarhus University does not restrict these PhD positions by nationality, so applicants from any country can apply.
What is the difference between a predefined project and an open call?
A predefined project already has its research topic and funding arranged, and you apply to fit into that plan. An open call means you submit your own original research proposal for evaluation.
Which graduate school should I apply to?
It depends on your academic field. Arts covers humanities, Aarhus BSS covers business and social sciences, Health covers medical fields, Natural Sciences covers core sciences, and Technical Sciences covers engineering and applied sciences.
How early are new PhD calls announced?
Calls are published at least two weeks before their application deadline, so it’s worth checking your chosen graduate school’s page frequently.
Do I need a Master’s degree to apply?
Generally yes, since PhD admission at Aarhus University is built on having a relevant Master’s degree or being close to completing one in a related field.
Is there an application fee for these PhD positions?
The official page does not mention a specific application fee. It’s best to confirm this directly on your chosen graduate school’s application portal before submitting.
Can I apply to more than one graduate school at the same time?
There is no rule against applying to different schools if your background fits multiple fields, but each application must be submitted separately through the respective school’s own portal.
