The Faculty of Arts provides a four-year programme of doctoral study in Philosophy. In order to complete one’s study and be awarded the title of PhD it is necessary to pass the State Doctoral Exam (SDE) – or Discussion for students accepted for 2025/26 and later – and to successfully defend one’s dissertation. During study, the doctoral student proceeds in accordance with an individual study plan which is drawn up in co-operation with the supervisor and which is presented for approval to the Doctoral Board (Oborová rada) that oversees doctoral studies in philosophy.
For students accepted for the academic year 2025/26 and later, please check the Basic structure of study obligations for the PhD programme PHILOSOPHY (2025 and later)
For students accepted for the academic year 2024/25 and earlier, please check the Basic structure of study obligations for the PhD programme of study PHILOSOPHY (2024 and earlier)
General information about the entrance examination for the academic year 2026/27 are available at the Faculty of Arts webpage. Applications are to be submitted via the student information system – separately for the and the full-time and the combined version of the programme. Here applicants also find all the relevant information about specific requirements for the entrance examination to the Philosophy programme.
The study programme allows for individual specialisation within the framework of philosophical studies as accredited at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, The Faculty of Arts, Charles University. The doctoral programme is realised in collaboration with the Philosophy Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
All doctoral students are required to have regular consultations with their supervisors and, when called upon, to co-operate on research projects conducted by members of the department and on grant projects. Doctoral students who are studying within daily, regular program are required to attend the doctoral seminar on weekly basis during the term. Further, PhD students are required to be in contact with researchers in other countries and to make a research visit abroad. Where the requirements of the individual study plan are not properly met, the Committee for Doctoral Studies will recommend corrective measures or, in certain cases, will call for the termination of study.
Doctoral students standardly submit their dissertation by the end of the fourth year. The submission is made via SIS (the electronic system). At the same time, two bound paper copies of the dissertation are handed in at the secretary’s office.
If SDE is a part of the student’s study obligations, they apply for it via SIS (the electronic system) and submit the relevant documents to the head of the doctoral programme by June 30th of the third year of study, or earlier.
Note on courses led by PhD students (e.g., fulfilling the Elective professional activity I–II): the course is proposed by the supervisor to the head of the department and the chair of the doctoral board. The supervisor acts as course supervisor (garantor), the doctoral student as lecturer.
For information and assistance in compiling and evaluating your individual study plan, see Individual Study Plan and Annual Assesment.
