How the education looks like

Education at the Doctoral School lasts eight semesters. We focus on interdisciplinary approach – a large selection of courses on various topics – and flexibility – in terms of course delivery dates.

Education in 13 scientific disciplines

Architecture and urban planning
Automation, electronic, electrical engineering and space technologies
Information and communication technology
Biomedical engineering
Chemical engineering
Civil engineering, geodesy and transport
Materials engineering

Mechanical engineering
Environmental engineering, mining, and energy
Mathematics
Chemical sciences
Physical sciences
Management and quality studies

5 steps to a PhD

Step 1 - Appointment of supervisor

Before starting at the Doctoral School, you contact a researcher who may become your supervisor. You agree on whether you will work well together and discuss the details of the topic you want to pursue.

Once you begin your training at the Doctoral School, you submit a formal application for the appointment of a supervisor (you include, among other things, the consent of your potential supervisor), which is approved by the Council of Scientific Disciplines.

Step 2 - Individual research plan

Within 12 months of entering doctoral school, you submit your individual research plan. This is a document in which you specify, among other things, the topic of your dissertation and its main theses, as well as a detailed work schedule.

How do you prepare it and what specifically should it contain? Read on the Doctoral School website.

Step 3 - Mandatory courses

You have until the end of the second year of doctoral school to complete the mandatory courses – the exception being the reporting seminars, which you will still have in the following years of your doctorate.

You can check now what courses you will be taking. You can find detailed information on the Doctoral School website.

Step 4 - Mid-term evaluation

After two years of study, a mid-term evaluation of how you implement your individual research plan awaits. The committee will evaluate you on the basis of your (written) report on the implementation of the plan, an (oral) presentation on your scientific achievements, and a discussion of your research.

After a positive evaluation, you can continue your education in doctoral school (and on top of that, the rate of your stipend increases).

Step 5 - Submitting the dissertation

By the end of your fourth year of study, you submit your dissertation and a positive opinion from your supervisor or supervisors.

And then it’s time for the defense!