Passing the study plan

The state doctoral examination consists of an oral examination and the defense of a doctoral thesis. The purpose of the oral exam is to demonstrate the doctoral student's ability to orientate himself in historical contexts, ask questions and answer current social challenges.

Since the matriculation year 2024, the state examination has been divided into an oral part and a defence.

The oral part of the state doctoral examination is based on the dialogue of the doctoral student with the examination commission. During the oral exam, the doctoral student will answer the questions that will emphasize the methodology of modern historical work, the possibilities of modern historical thinking, the perspective of knowledge and the importance of historical sciences for society.

In the doctoral thesis, the student presents the results of research that he/she came to during his/her studies. The doctoral thesis must contain the results of the doctoral student's original research, including already published output or output accepted for publication. The work must demonstrate the ability and readiness for independent activity in the field of research or development or for autonomous theoretical and creative activity.

The thesis must be submitted for defense in the Czech or Slovak language, it is also permissible to submit the doctoral thesis in one of the world languages (English, German, Russian, French) in agreement with the supervisor and after discussion by the scientific board. The text of the dissertation must be at an excellent level in terms of grammar and style.

Research activities:
Preparing the dissertation – takes place throughout the studies and makes up at least 60% of the workload
Defending the dissertation proposal – must be completed no later than the fifth semester
Publishing –of the workload consists of at least two articles in peer-reviewed, preferably foreign journals; makes up 10%
Teaching (participating in course instruction) – doctoral students can teach courses, participate in supervising bachelor's theses, etc; this can amount to a maximum of 60 hours per studies (up to 10% of the workload)
Internship abroad – must amount to at least one month, ideally one semester
Conference participation – it is necessary to prove active participation for at least three home and one international conference

Academic courses (total max. 20% of workload):
Methodology Seminar
Historiography
Academic German
English or another world language

The Making of Central Europe
Reformation in the regional and Central European context
Genius, Prophet, Savior: The Cult of Karl Marx in Austria-Hungary before the First World War
Forced migration in the 20th century
Theory to Good Practice: The Life and Work of Sir Roger Scruton