Guide to PhD studies
Understand what doctoral studies at MU are all about – whether you are studying yourself, accompanying someone else, or helping to shape the programme.
PhD candidate Supervisor Doctoral Board
Principles of PhD studies at MU
At Masaryk University, doctoral studies are conceived as intensive, individual education for early stage researchers and professionals who make a significant contribution to the university’s research output and, upon completing their studies, are capable of independently generating new knowledge in both the academic and applied sectors.
If you wish to gain a better understanding of the principles underlying this approach, we recommend consulting the MU guidelines entitled: Principles and Recommendations for Effective and Quality Doctoral Studies at Masaryk University.
Roles in PhD studies
Understanding the rights, duties and requirements of individual participants makes the whole doctoral journey more enjoyable. Learn about the various roles.
PhD candidate
A junior researcher studying in the full-time or combined mode of a doctoral degree programme.
Supervisor
An academic or researcher who provides professional and pedagogical guidance to a PhD candidate during their studies.
Doctoral Board
A primary body responsible for the professional supervision, conception and evaluation in a doctoral degree programme.
An advisor chosen by the PhD candidate in any area of expertise, usually affiliated with another institution (or faculty, institute or department).
An advisory body of independent experts who provide support and guidance to the PhD candidate concerning doctoral thesis preparation and professional growth.
Other individuals participating in PhD guidance, e.g. another/second supervisor or a consultant/specialist.
Stages of PhD studies
You will encounter various challenges during your doctoral studies – some one-off, others recurring. Here you will find an overview of what to focus on at each stage, along with links that will help you explore each topic in greater depth.
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Admissions procedure
- Talented, motivated, goal-directed and mature personalities with high-quality research potential who are likely to complete their studies in the standard duration are selected for doctoral studies at MU.
- Suitable applicants must meet the requirements of the admissions procedure with predefined conditions and transparent evaluation system, which is open to international applicants.
Where to find more details?
Laws and regulations:
- Higher Education Act (Sections 48 to 50)
- Statute of Masaryk University (Articles 19 to 27)
- Guidelines ‘Admission to doctoral study programmes at Masaryk University’
- Guidelines ‘Principles and Recommendations for Effective and Quality Doctoral Studies at Masaryk University’
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The first 100 days
- The PhD candidate learns about MU Study and Examination Regulations (“SE Regulations”) and other regulations.
- The PhD candidate and the supervisor agree on the rules of consultations and their cooperation.
- During the first semester, the PhD candidate prepares an Individual Study Plan (ISP) in IS MU, which is subject to approval by the supervisor and Doctoral Board before the end of the first semester.
- The PhD candidate applies for a doctoral scholarship as part of their doctoral income.
Where to find more details?
Relevant links
Inspiration from abroad on onboarding by PRIDE Network.
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Course of studies
- The PhD candidate enrols in each semester via IS MU.
- Application for the doctoral scholarship is filed every semester or academic year.
- Other forms of funding should be considered too.
- Toward the end of each semester, the PhD candidate submits their feedback regarding the ISP fulfilment and makes plans for the next semester. Their performance is evaluated by the supervisor at the end of each semester and by the Doctoral Board at least once a year.
- A stay abroad in the minimum summary length of 30 days is mandatory during doctoral studies.
- Doctoral studies may be based on long-term cooperation with a partner institution abroad or in the Czech Republic.
- The most important part of doctoral studies is the preparation of the doctoral thesis and underlying research.
- Part of the doctoral degree programme is also devoted to theoretical preparation, reflective personal growth and preparation for a future career.
- A graduate who completed the studies in time and with excellent results is eligible for the Award of the Vice-rector for Research and Doctoral Studies.
Where to find more details?
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The last 100 days
- The studies are completed with the final state examination consisting of a successful defence of the doctoral thesis.
- Those PhD candidates who enrolled (or their programme started) before 1 March 2025 will have to pass the doctoral state examination prior to defending their doctoral thesis.
- A graduate who completed the studies in time and with excellent results may be granted the Award of the Vice-rector for Research and Doctoral Studies.
- The graduation ceremony and diploma award is organized by the RMU Research Office.
- The studies are completed with the final state examination consisting of a successful defence of the doctoral thesis.
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Subsequent career
- PhD candidates plan their career well in advance, ideally from the very beginning of their studies, considering different career paths and opportunities.
- In reflecting on their career, they can draw on the experience and feedback of their supervisor, and, where applicable, also their mentor or members of the Thesis Advisory Committee.
- Contacts made during their stays abroad, conferences and other activities can also play an important role.
- If the PhD candidate is considering an academic career, they are encouraged to pursue postdoctoral positions, ideally at institutions abroad.
- Masaryk University promotes social and professional cooperation with alumni.
Where to find more details?
Portal offering postdoctoral positions: Find a Postdoc.
- PhD candidates plan their career well in advance, ideally from the very beginning of their studies, considering different career paths and opportunities.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long is a PhD candidate allowed to study?
A doctoral degree programme may be studied for 8 years in total (Sections 13 and 30 of SE Regulations). The standard duration of study is 4 years. Interruption of studies is included into the total duration of study (with a few exceptions).
What are the requirements for advancement to the next semester?
The right to enrol in the next semester arises in case the PhD candidate
- successfully completed repeated courses (Section 20 of SE Regulations),
- obtained a sufficient number of credits (Section 12 of SE Regulations),
- has not exceeded double the standard duration of study (Section 30 of SE Regulations),
- fulfils obligations following from the Individual Study Plan (ISP, Section 30 of SE Regulations).
Failure to enrol in a semester is a reason for the initiation of the proceedings on the termination of studies.
Is it possible to change the study mode?
The PhD candidate may ask the dean for a change in the study mode at any time during the studies (Section 29 of SE Regulations).
How can I interrupt the studies?
Doctoral studies may be interrupted (Section 13 of SE Regulations) at the PhD candidate’s request:
- if the PhD candidate meets conditions for enrolment in the next semester and has successfully completed at least one semester of studies, or
- if the period that is to be interrupted is part of the recognized parental period.
In other cases, the severity of the reasons for interruption shall be assessed by the dean. The dean may interrupt the studies ex officio, i.e. regardless of the PhD candidate’s will, until the date of the repeated final state examination (doctoral state examination or repeated doctoral thesis defence for PhD candidates enrolled before 1 March 2025).
Interruption – more details
- The studies are interrupted for a period of whole semesters.
- The period of interruption must not exceed the standard duration of study (i.e. 4 years).
- The period of interruption is included into the total duration of studies. Exceptions include interruption within the recognized parental period, interruption due to serious reasons and interruption until the date of the repeated final state examination (doctoral state examination or repeated doctoral thesis defence for PhD candidates enrolled before 1 March 2025), which are not included into the total duration of study.