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Getting a degree

PhD and DSc: what is required, the stages, and what changes from 2027.

09.11.2026Updated
PhD · DScdegrees

Where the HAC announced the defence and it took place before 1 January 2027, the degree is awarded under the previous procedure (PF-98, item 7)

Final deadlines under the current procedure (2026)

13 November
Submission to the HAC of details for the defence announcement ends.
30 November
Publication of defence announcements on the HAC website ends.
31 December
Last day to hold a dissertation defence under the current procedure.

Set by decision No. 391/2 of the HAC Presidium, 29.10.2026. If you cannot make it, keep working: once the new system starts, the dissertation can be submitted for defence under the procedure to be set. The move to the new system does not by itself mean rewriting the dissertation; transition rules will be specified separately. Official HAC questions and answers

RequirementPhDDScBasis
Who can defendMaster’s degree (in medicine – clinical residency)PhD or Candidate of SciencesPF-4958, item 2
Publications, totalat least 7at least 152894, items 18–19
Of which journal articlesat least 3, 1 in a reputable foreign journalat least 10, 1 in a reputable foreign journal2894, items 18–19
International conference papersat least 2at least 22894, items 18–19
Monographnot requiredrequired in social sciences and humanities2894, item 19
Dissertationat least 3 chapters, up to 120 pages excluding bibliography and appendices (60 double-sided sheets)at least 4 chapters, up to 200 pages excluding bibliography and appendices (100 double-sided sheets)2894, item 14
Abstract2 printed sheets3 printed sheets2665, item 42
Qualifying examsspecialty and a foreign languagenot required2764, item 1
Supervisorresearch supervisorresearch adviser (optional)304, item 7
Official opponents2, one a Doctor of Science3 Doctors of Science2893, item 45
Preliminary review by the council2 months3 months2893, item 33
Votes needed to awardat least 2/3at least 2/32893, item 79

In social sciences and humanities the main articles must be single-authored (except archaeology) and the dissertation may be up to 30% longer. Contents, bibliography, abbreviations and appendices do not count toward the length (2665, item 17).

Stages before the defence

  1. 1Doctoral studies or independent researchEntrance exams for basic doctoral studies every year on 1–25 November; independent research all year round (resolution 304)
  2. 2Approval of topic and supervisorApproved by the institution’s council
  3. 3Qualifying examsSpecialty and a foreign language, 100-point scale (2764)
  4. 4Articles and presentationsAt least 3 (PhD) or 10 (DSc) articles, 2 international conferences (2894, items 18–19)
  5. 5Implementation of resultsCertificate of implementation (2666)
  6. 6Preliminary reviewAt the institution’s research seminar; opinion within 2 months (PhD) or 3 months (DSc) (2894, items 26–28)
  7. 7Submission to the councilResearch seminar opinion, then acceptance for defence within 1 month (2893, item 41)
  8. 8Review by a leading organisationLeading organisation’s review (2893, items 48–50)
  9. 9HAC announcement and abstractDefence within 40 days of the announcement; abstract distributed 12 days before (2893, items 56–59)
  10. 10Defence2 or 3 opponents, secret ballot, at least 2/3 of votes (2893, items 45, 79)
  11. 11HAC review and approvalExpert council and Presidium decision (2894, items 39–45)

Font, margins, length and bibliography: Formatting rules

Basis and sources

Data is checked against these official sources.

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