Choose a doctoral study program from UP’s offer

You are reading a text that will guide you through the basic information about doctoral studies at Palacký University Olomouc. Doctoral studies represent the highest level of university education, focusing on the development of scientific and research knowledge, skills, and competencies of students within a specific study programme in a given academic field. Palacký University offers dozens of doctoral study programmes, each with its own characteristics and requirements, which you can learn more about on the websites of the individual faculties, in their internal regulations, or in the documents related to each study programme.

This section outlines the framework of doctoral studies, which differ from the lower levels of study you have already completed. You will learn about what you can find in the university information system and the electronic study administration, about the services available to students, about the opportunities offered by various university units, and about events organized for you at the university.

We believe that your doctoral studies will become an enriching part of both your professional and personal life, that you will complete them successfully, and that they will serve as a gateway to your future career.

Doctoral studies in a nutshell

1. You study according to an individual study plan. You create this plan at the beginning of your studies in consultation with your supervisor. In each following year, you can revise and refine it.
2. The doctoral study programme is overseen and evaluated by the subject-area board. The student’s working arrangements (e.g., days of presence at the department, teaching duties) are determined based on an agreement with their supervisor.
3. Doctoral studies are formally completed in accordance with the Higher Education Act (after submitting your dissertation, you will proceed to its defence; doctoral candidates who began their studies before the 2025/2026 academic year complete their studies under the original conditions). Upon successfully completing your doctoral studies, you will be awarded the academic title “Doctor”, abbreviated as Ph.D., which is written after your name.

In a way, your doctoral journey begins already with the preparation for the admission procedure, during which you present your research project. By the time you officially start your doctoral studies, the direction of your research is already defined. After enrolling, you will meet with your supervisor to create your Individual Study Plan (ISP). Supervisors guide your studies and advise you in both research and teaching activities, so discuss everything with them and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Each faculty has a designated study officer responsible for doctoral studies. You can contact this person if you have questions about your studies or need clarification regarding technical or regulatory requirements (e.g., the Higher Education Act, the Study and Examination Code of UP). You will receive specific information about your programme during enrolment, from the documents related to your study programme, and from your supervisors.

The ISP sets the timeline and content of your study activities, their format, and the methods used to assess your learning outcomes. It focuses on scientific work, addressing a research problem, or achieving a specific goal in creative or artistic activity. It may also include study stays or internships at other institutions, including those abroad. Typically, the ISP lists the courses you will complete in a given academic year, the international trips you plan to take, the articles you intend to write, and the conferences you plan to attend. Over time, you can add items such as grants or awards you receive. The ISP is updated throughout your studies, with any changes first approved by your supervisor and then by the chair of the subject-area board.

Prepare a detailed overview of the literature and sources so that you understand what findings have already been made in your field and on your topic, and so that you have a clear grasp of the current state of knowledge. At the beginning, it is important to focus on your research plan and to develop the methodology to ensure that your research is well designed. During your studies, you will also complete various courses, many of which are specifically aimed at preparing for or carrying out the research for your dissertation.

It is never a bad idea to seek advice from a more experienced colleague. In addition to consulting your supervisor, you can also make use of consultations with colleagues from other faculties or universities, including those abroad.

It is time for the research itself, which differs significantly depending on your study programme. It may involve, for example, laboratory research, data collection, or archival research.

Publication activity is closely linked to research and is one of the fundamental aspects of doctoral studies. You can publish the results of your dissertation research, but also outputs from other projects you become involved in during your studies, as well as results from your master’s thesis. Another way to share your research with the world—beyond writing for academic journals and books—is to participate in conferences both in your home country and abroad. Conferences also offer an excellent opportunity to establish collaborations with other researchers in your field and to receive feedback on the results you present.

Publication Activity 

The types of publications and their credit value differ across disciplines, and an overview of the credit system is always provided in the official doctoral study documents of the respective faculty or specific study programme. There are several basic categories, including articles in scholarly journals, chapters in academic books, monographs, and others. You do not have to publish your findings only in written form—you can also choose to present them orally at the aforementioned conferences.

International Internship

As doctoral candidates, you can choose from a wide range of study, work, or research stays that can be completed at institutions abroad. You can find the necessary information on the website of the International Relations Office or on your faculty’s website. In all study programmes, a study or research stay abroad is one of the requirements for completing the degree. It is credited within the study system, and it is possible to obtain financial support for it from the respective faculty or from the UP Endowment Fund.

Teaching Activity

During your doctoral studies, you will also engage in teaching activities to the extent required by your study programme. This may include preparing and delivering lectures or leading seminars, and depending on the programme, also supervising or reviewing final theses. Working with students provides a solid foundation for a future academic career.

When writing your dissertation, follow the requirements set out in the UP Study and Examination Code. Additional requirements are determined by the accreditation of your study programme and, where applicable, by other internal UP regulations. Several courses you will encounter during your studies are also focused on supporting the dissertation process. After submitting your dissertation, you will proceed to its defence. The State Final Examination and its procedure are likewise governed by the internal regulation Study and Examination Code of UP as well as by the internal rules of the individual faculties. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with these documents.

In accordance with the Higher Education Act, students who begin their doctoral studies in the academic year 2025/2026 or later complete their studies with a state final examination consisting of the defence of their dissertation. For doctoral candidates who began their studies earlier, the requirement to take the state doctoral examination and to defend the dissertation remains in place. Faculties will continue to schedule dates for the state doctoral and final examinations for current students in accordance with their individual study plans.

After successfully defending your dissertation and passing the state doctoral examination, only the pleasant final step of your studies awaits you — the graduation ceremony. You will receive all information regarding the ceremony from your study officers.

Successful graduates of UP (from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes) can stay connected with their alma mater and also make use of alumni benefits offered through the Alumni Programme.

The university brand Doctoral SPace brings together activities designed for students in doctoral study programmes. It represents a symbolic space that provides a wide range of services—from counselling and community events to the delivery of exclusive know‑how through advanced training activities and conferences.

On the website doctoralspace.upol.cz you will find useful information about doctoral studies, science and research, educational opportunities, and student life at UP.