Doctoral Programmes

Doctoral study in Philosophy allows students to pursue independent work and original research in Philosophy. In addition to focusing on general ethical and political problems, students are also encouraged to study current and relevant topics, such as attitudes towards marginalised groups and topics including populism, nationalism, religious confl ict, and climate change. Students will formulate their own research projects, present the results of their research at home and abroad – with ample funding opportunities for travel – and publish in domestic and foreign publications. Within the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, the Centre for Ethics as Study in Human Value, which is supported by a major multi-year EU-funded grant, brings together a group of international researchers in ethics and political philosophy to work on issues surrounding the distinctive value of human life. The Centre also boasts a specialised dedicated library with more than 6000 books. All PhD students are expected to spend at least three months studying abroad. This will expose them to a dynamic international student community, both in the department and abroad. The department and Centre have working links with partner institutions including King’s College London, the University of Melbourne, the University of Uppsala, Åbo Akademi, and the University of Genoa. The working language of the PhD programme and of the Centre is English and applicants should have a good grasp of academic English. No knowledge of Czech is required.

1. Applicants will ordinarily have a Master’s degree in philosophy. In exceptional cases the admission committee can accept Master’s level graduation in another discipline but only if the relevance can be shown. Applicants are required to attach certified documents concerning their university education, including an academic transcript, to the application form. In cases where an applicant is due to graduate after the deadline for submitting applications, these documents must be submitted by the commencement date (usually October 1st) at the latest. All required documents which are not originally in Czech or English must be translated into one of these languages and the translation must also be certified.
    
2. All applicants must have excellent knowledge of spoken and written academic English. The admission interview will be conducted in English.
    
3. ​The applicants should submit a Research Proposal (1500-2000 words) outlining their future doctoral dissertation. It should formulate a clear research problem, and proposed methodology, as well as the basic sources and bibliography relevant to the topic. (The bibliography is not included in the word count.) It is advisable that the applicants explain their prior acquaintance with the subject. They can also attach the list of their own publication or presentation activities.  

1. Certified copy of Master’s diploma.
2. Academic transcript.
3. Names and contact details of two academic referees.
4. Name of the preferred supervisor.
5. Research Proposal.
6. (Optional) A list of publications and presentations.

The above documents should be submitted as attachments to the application form (see below). The examining committee will evaluate these documents and invite selected applicants for an interview. It is preferable that applicants attend the admission interview in person but, in exceptional cases and for candidates from outside of Europe, it can be conducted via video conference. Shortlisted candidates from Europe who wish to be considered for an exception should make this known at the earliest possible date in order to allow for appropriate arrangements to be made.

It is not possible to accept the applicant if there is no available supervisor for the proposed project of study. The examining committee will decide on the outcome of the admission exam by vote and will decide on the ranking of the applicants. The total number of students who will be accepted to the doctoral study programme on the basis of their achieved ranking may vary for each academic year depending upon program circumstances and upon the numbers of applicants who are deemed to have achieved the required standard.

It is necessary to submit the application with all the required attachments either on the standard form or electronically (here). The application fee of 2000,- CZK is payable by card or bank transfer among others, see instructions in the last step of electronic application.

For details about the application process and necessary documents see here. Please pay special attention to diploma nostrification and visa requirements (for applicants from non-EU countries, these might be a condition of enrolement in study). 

The doctoral study programme in history at the University of Pardubice focuses mainly on the research of Central European cultural history from the end of the Middle Ages to modern times (15th to 20th centuries). Students will benefi t from a large and knowledgeable department, and work under the guidance of well-known Czech historians specialising in late medieval, early modern and modern history. They will learn to independently identify and critically interpret key historical phenomena and refl ect on their mutual connections, and will understand historical facts, phenomena and processes in the context of other disciplines. In addition, students will have the opportunity to study source materials and professional literature in the original versions. All PhD students are expected to spend at least three months studying abroad. This will expose them to a dynamic international student community, both in the department and abroad, and they will be able to communicate actively in two world languages. They will be formulate their own original science and research projects, present the results of their research at home and abroad, and publish in domestic and foreign publications. Graduates can fi nd employment in academia and other institutions dealing with science, research, development and innovation, in the fi eld of monument care, archiving and in museums.