Program Structure

1. Training and research phase (1st–4th semesters)

The doctoral programme is organised as an eight-semester course of study composed of two main phases. The first phase — the training and research phase — comprises the first four active semesters. During this period each doctoral student completes coursework required by the curriculum, undertakes supervised research and teaching activities, and prepares his or her research plan.

Students are required to fulfil the curricular obligations (compulsory and elective courses) and collect the credits specified in the programme. The training and research phase concludes with the Doctoral Complex Examination, which assesses both theoretical knowledge and research progress. The Complex Examination has two parts: a oral theoretical component and a scientific progress report. The outcome of the Complex Examination is recorded as Pass / Fail; no numerical grade is assigned.

Successful completion of the training and research phase is a precondition for admission to the second phase of the programme.

2. Research and dissertation phase (5th–8th semesters)

The second phase is dedicated to independent research and preparation of the doctoral dissertation. In this period students must concentrate on conducting original research, publishing results in accordance with the doctoral school rules, and preparing the dissertation manuscript and thesis proposal.

While in this phase doctoral candidates continue limited teaching and institutional duties as required by the programme, the primary objective is to complete the research necessary for the doctoral thesis, reach the publication requirements applicable for the programme, and finalise the dissertation proposal for pre-evaluation.

At the end of the research and dissertation phase the doctoral candidate is expected to have acquired the academic prerequisites necessary for submission of the dissertation for formal review and for proceeding to the public defence.

3. Conditions for the absolutorium (certification of completion of programme requirements)

The absolutorium certifies that the doctoral candidate has fulfilled the study and research obligations of the organised programme and may continue in the degree conferral procedure. The following are required to obtain the absolutorium:

  • 240 ECTS credits in total for the organised programme. Minimum distribution: at least 96 training credits, at least 24 teaching credits, and at least 120 research credits.
  • Successful completion of the Doctoral Complex Examination (Pass).
  • Submission of the dissertation proposal for pre-evaluation (the submission of the dissertation proposal itself is recorded as 30 research credits).
  • Acquisition of at least 30 publication points (equivalent to approximately 90 research credits, given the programme’s publication-to-credit conversion: 1 publication point = 3 research credits).

Following the award of the absolutorium the candidate will no longer continue coursework; instead, the candidate proceeds to the degree conferral procedure and completes the dissertation preparation, review and defence stages.

4. Deadlines and time limits

  • The organised doctoral training comprises a maximum of eight active semesters; this period is not extendable.
  • The final deadline for submission of the dissertation is the end of the eighth active semester.
  • After successful completion of the Complex Examination the candidate has up to three years to submit the final dissertation; failure to meet this deadline will result in termination of student status in accordance with the applicable regulation.
  • If the Complex Examination is not completed by the end of the fourth active semester, the student’s status may be terminated in accordance with the doctoral rules.
  • Further provisions on leave of absence and exceptional extensions are set out in the doctoral regulations and must be requested formally where applicable.

5. Curriculum

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