Organisation of doctoral study

The third level of higher education is achieved by completing a PhD study programme. Third-cycle study programmes correspond to level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework/European Qualifications Framework

The division of the study fields is similar to that of the first two levels of higher education. The number of third-cycle study fields is higher compared to the first and second cycles. PhD education can be acquired in all 48 study fields defined in the Decree  No. 244/2019 Coll. on the System of Study Fields of the Slovak Republic (vyhláška Ministerstva školstva, vedy, výskumu a športu SR č. 244/2019 Z. z. o sústave študijných odborov SR).

The standard length of full-time study is three (180 credits) or four academic years (240 credits). Part-time study takes four years (180 credits) and five academic years at most (240 credits). 

PhD study is organised according to an individual study plan under the guidance of a supervisor. The PhD study consists of two parts – the study and the research. The study part consists of lectures, seminars, and individual study of scientific literature relevant to the dissertation thesis focus. The scientific part of the PhD study consists of individual or team scientific work related to the dissertation thesis topic. The scientific part of PhD study is professionally guaranteed by a supervisor. Full-time doctoral studies involve the performance of pedagogical activities or other professional activities related to pedagogical activities to the extent of no more than four hours per week on average per academic year.

An external educational institution may also participate in the provision of higher education in doctoral programmes. An external educational institution is a legal entity which has been issued a certificate of competence to carry out research and development by the Ministry of Education and with which the higher education institution has concluded a contract, the subject of which is to participate in the implementation of a doctoral study programme. The higher education institution creates the conditions for the doctoral student to carry out the research part of his/her studies, either by individual research or by joining a research team. If an external educational institution is involved in the study, the research is normally carried out at that institution.

Admission requirements

The basic condition for admission to doctoral studies is a second-level higher education degree.

Before the admission procedure, the higher education institution or faculty defines the topics of dissertation theses to be applied for by the applicant. A supervisor is appointed for each topic. The applicant for PhD study will choose one of the announced topics. External educational institutions may publish the topics either independently or in cooperation with a higher education institution or faculty.

The admission examination shall be held before a board composed of members from the higher education institution and members appointed by the head of the external educational institution. The members from the higher education institution shall be appointed by the dean for study programmes carried out at the faculty, and by the rector for study programmes not carried out at the faculty. The admission examination may be held at the external educational institution in the presence of representatives of the higher education institution, by agreement between the higher education institution or the faculty and the external educational institution. The decision on the result of the admission procedure must be made within 30 days from the verification of compliance with the conditions for admission to the study.

The number of PhD study applicants to be admitted is up to each higher education institution. 

Status of PhD students/candidates

A public higher education institution, a state higher education institution or an external educational institution provides a full-time scholarship to a student in a doctoral study programme. A student in a full-time doctoral study programme shall be entitled to a monthly scholarship for the duration of the standard length of study:

• until the dissertation examination has been passed, at least €1,025.50;
• after the dissertation examination in the amount of at least €1,194.00;

The scholarship is not subject to taxation.

Health insurance of full-time PhD students under 30 is paid by the state. Social insurance may be arranged on a voluntary basis. Part-time PhD students' health insurance is not paid by the state and they have no right to receive a scholarship. Part-time study is subject to fees. 

Supervision arrangements

Doctoral studies in a given field of study are monitored and assessed by a study field committee established according to the internal regulations of the higher education institution or faculty that implements the relevant study programme. Higher education institutions may, by agreement, form joint study field committees in individual fields of study. Where a higher education institution conducts doctoral studies in cooperation with an external educational institution, the external educational institution shall be adequately represented on the relevant study field committee.

Employability

There are no special tools applied to monitor the employability of graduates of PhD study programmes. 

Assessment

A credit system is applied to assess PhD study programmes.  The study of PhD students is a subject of annual assessment connected with the accumulation of credits for individual activities of  PhD students. 

The annual assessment of PhD students rests in the assessment of the state and level of the PhD study, an inspection of fulfilling the set assignments of the study, and scientific parts of the PhD study. The annual assessment of PhD students is carried out by the supervisor in cooperation with the PhD students in a written form. The assessment includes a recommendation to continue or not to continue with the study. The doctoral student's assessment system is regulated by the higher education institution's internal regulations and may differ depending on the particular higher education institution or faculty. 

Doctoral studies end with the successful completion of the dissertation examination and the defence of the dissertation. It demonstrates the ability and readiness for independent scientific and creative activity in the field of research or development or for independent theoretical and creative artistic activity.

Certification

PhD study graduates are awarded the academic title

• 'Doctor of Philosophy' abbreviated as PhD,
• 'Doctor of Arts' abbreviated as ArtD in arts doctoral study programmes,
• 'licentiate of theology' (abbr. ThLic.)  in the field of catholic theology.

Organisational variation

Non-standard forms of PhD study are not provided. As regards the part-time form of study, the requirements for regular completion of the study are the same as in the full-time form of study.