HAC: final deadlines for defences under the current rules

Under Decree PF-98, a new system for awarding academic degrees starts on 1 January 2027. In response, the HAC (OAK) Presidium set the final deadlines for those who want to defend under the current rules in its Resolution No. 391/2 of 29.10.2026.

Final deadlines

Candidates whose defence was announced by the HAC and held before 1 January 2027 receive the degree under the previous rules (PF-98, clause 7).

What is cancelled from 2027

The decree shortens the road to the defence considerably. From 1 January 2027 the following stages are cancelled:

• The foreign language qualification exam (except for independent applicants);
• Registering the dissertation topic with the HAC;
• The defence announcement at the HAC;
• Discussion at the leading organisation;
• The monograph for a DSc in the social sciences and humanities;
• Printing the author's abstract;
• The certificate of practical implementation;
• Review by the HAC expert council;
• HAC approval of the council's decision.

What is introduced

• Priority specialties – from 1 September 2026 at least 60% of the doctoral quota, with a stipend 1.7 times higher. A research presentation replaces the entrance exam (PF-98, clause 3).
• “Degree within a project” – an applied project of up to 3 years in priority specialties; the procedure is due to be approved in January 2027 (clauses 4–5).
• “Applied doctorate (PhD)” – the topic comes from an industry partner's request, with an academic and a practical supervisor (clause 11).
• Council ratings – an open rating from 2027; the HAC may spot-check a work approved by a council and overturn its decision (clauses 8–9).
• A single online system – submission, reviewer and opponent reports, scheduling and assessment of the defence online (clause 14).

Until a new document on the number of articles and dissertation length is adopted, the current requirements stay in force.

If you do not make it in time

According to the HAC, defences are not suspended. A candidate who misses the deadline continues the work and submits the dissertation for defence under the procedure set for the new system. Moving to the new system does not mean rewriting the dissertation; the transition rules will be clarified separately.

What to do now

1. 1.Work out which rules your defence date falls under: is 31 December realistic? Discuss it with your supervisor and the council secretary.
2. 2.If you can make it, prepare the announcement data and documents early rather than in the last days.
3. 3.If you cannot, keep working on articles, experiments and the text. Before spending time on stages that are being cancelled (such as printing the abstract), wait for the new procedure.
4. 4.Watch for the new procedure – on the official HAC website and in the IlmBaza Telegram bot.

The “My roadmap” tool already follows the new rules: if your defence is in 2027 or later, the cancelled stages drop out of your plan automatically.

Sources: official HAC questions and answers, HAC Presidium Resolution No. 391/2 of 29.10.2026, Decree PF-98. More details in the knowledge base, “Earning a degree” section.