Structure of the Doctoral Training
Doctoral training at the Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School consists of eight semesters divided into two four-semester phases:
- training and research phase – Semesters 1–4;
- research and dissertation phase – Semesters 5–8.
Students must obtain at least 240 credits during the doctoral training, with at least 120 credits completed in each phase. The standard study load is 30 credits per semester; under the University Doctoral Regulations, the required semester workload is 30 credits on average. One credit corresponds to approximately 30 hours of student workload.
Training and Research Phase – Semesters 1–4
During the first four semesters, doctoral students complete courses specified in the curriculum of the Doctoral School alongside their research activities. Based on the available courses and their credit values, and in consultation with their supervisor, students prepare an individual training and research plan covering the first phase of their doctoral studies.
Under the JNPDS curriculum, Research Work accounts for 26 credits per semester during the first four semesters. Research constitutes the principal component of doctoral training, and its completion is evaluated and certified by the supervisor each semester on the basis of the student’s research progress and semester report. Under the University Doctoral Regulations, the majority of the 240 credits required for completion of doctoral training – a total of 180–228 credits – are obtained through research activities.
During the first four semesters, students must obtain the required training/course credits. The University Doctoral Regulations specify 12–20 compulsory training credits, with the exact curriculum and semester distribution determined by the Doctoral School. Course requirements may be completed through examinations, written assignments, reports or other forms of assessment specified by the course instructor.
For first-year doctoral students, completion of the course “General Research Knowledge” (DEAKIDI) is compulsory in the spring semester. The course provides students with general research methodology and scientific skills supporting the planning and successful implementation of their doctoral research.
Research Plan and Monitoring of Progress
The student’s academic and research activities are supervised by the doctoral supervisor. The supervisor assists in preparing the training and research plan, provides regular professional consultation and evaluates the completion of research activities each semester.
At the Doctoral School, doctoral research plans are also reviewed and approved by the Council of the Doctoral School. Research plans must be finalised by 10 February. Students’ research progress is monitored regularly: the first progress report takes place at the end of the first year, followed by progress reporting every semester. In addition, the University Doctoral Regulations require formal progress evaluations at the end of the first and third years of doctoral training.
Teaching Activities
Doctoral students may also undertake teaching duties during their doctoral studies. Subject to the decision of the Council of the Doctoral School, credits may be awarded for teaching activities, up to a maximum of 40 credits over the eight-semester doctoral programme. Teaching duties and the corresponding credits must be recorded in the electronic study system, and completion is certified by the head of the organisational unit responsible for the teaching activity.
Complex Examination
The training and research phase concludes with the complex examination at the end of the fourth semester. Successful completion of the complex examination is required for progression to the research and dissertation phase.
Eligibility for the complex examination requires the completion of at least 90 credits and all compulsory training credits specified in the curriculum of the Doctoral School. The training and research phase must ultimately be completed with at least 120 credits.
The complex examination consists of two principal components. In the theoretical part, the student demonstrates competence in at least two subjects or thematic areas specified in the Training Plan. In the dissertation part, the student presents their knowledge of the relevant scientific literature and research results achieved to date, outlines the research plan for the second phase of doctoral training, and presents the planned schedule for completing the dissertation and publishing the research results.
Students may register for the fifth semester only after successfully completing the complex examination.
Research and Dissertation Phase – Semesters 5–8
The second four-semester phase focuses primarily on independent research, publication of scientific results and preparation of the doctoral dissertation. Under the current JNPDS curriculum, students normally register for Research Work in each semester of this phase, and no additional compulsory taught courses are generally required.
At least 120 additional credits must be obtained during the research and dissertation phase. Completion of the research work is certified each semester by the supervisor on the basis of the student’s scientific progress and semester report. The purpose of this phase is to enable doctoral students to complete their research, disseminate and publish their scientific findings, and prepare the doctoral dissertation.
International Mobility and Recognition of Credits
The Doctoral School encourages national and international scientific mobility. Doctoral students may undertake a study or research period abroad on the basis of a work programme approved by their supervisor. Such mobility forms part of the doctoral programme and does not interrupt the student’s legal status at the University.
Credits or documented academic and research achievements obtained at another university or during a study or research period abroad may be recognised, subject to prior approval by the supervisor and a decision of the competent disciplinary doctoral council.
Completion of Doctoral Training
After successful completion of the eight semesters and acquisition of at least 240 credits, the doctoral student is awarded a pre-degree certificate (absolutorium). The absolutorium certifies that the student has fulfilled all academic, research and, where applicable, teaching requirements of the doctoral programme. Completion of the required credits is verified and certified by the Doctoral School.
The detailed semester-by-semester course structure, currently available courses and their credit values are specified in the current Training Plan of the Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School and in the University’s electronic study administration system (Neptun).