Study Obligations – Combined Study Form
Below you will find an overview of the basic study requirements and key milestones of PhD study in the part-time study (combined form). The overview is based on the university-wide framework of the Individual Study Plan and applies to PhD candidates starting their studies from September 2025 onwards.
Specific conditions and additional requirements may vary depending on the faculty and doctoral study programme. Therefore, always make sure to check the relevant Dean’s Measure and your Individual Study Plan (ISP).
If you are just starting your PhD, we recommend visiting the Getting Started page first. There you will find information about the first steps after enrolment, cooperation with your supervisor, and explanations of key terms and abbreviations.
A brief visual overview of the study requirements and key milestones can be found in the Doctoral Study Timeline below.
General Requirements for PhD Candidates in the Part-time Study (Combined Form)
Applicable to PhD candidates starting their studies from September 2025 onwards.
Throughout your PhD studies, you are required to:
- work regularly and systematically on your dissertation research and related publication activities;
- consult regularly with your supervisor, for a minimum of 40 hours per year;
- participate in events organised by or for your department, particularly department meetings, colloquia and dissertation defences.
Individual Study Requirements and PhD Milestones
| Requirement / milestone | Key information |
| Introductory training | Completion of introductory training for PhD candidates. We also recommend attending the PhD Welcome Day and checking whether your faculty or doctoral study programme organises any additional introductory activities. |
| Literature review | Preparation of a literature review related to your dissertation research, mapping the current state of knowledge in your research area. |
| Courses according to the Individual Study Plan (ISP) | Gradual completion of courses specified in your ISP. All compulsory and required elective courses must be completed by the end of the 4th semester. |
| Colloquium 1 | Defence of the dissertation research proposal – presentation of your dissertation research project. |
| Colloquium 2 | Defence of the detailed research design – presentation of your research plan, data and methods. |
| International conference participation | Preparation and presentation of your own contribution at an international academic conference. |
| Publication activities – Paper 1 | Submission of a paper related to your dissertation research to a journal meeting the minimum requirement of Q2 in SJR or Q3 in AIS. |
| Colloquium 3 | Defence of preliminary research results. |
| Research mobility / international cooperation | Research mobility must reach a minimum total duration of one month. In the combined form, it may be replaced, under the conditions specified in the regulations, by participation in an international research or creative project or another form of direct participation in international cooperation. |
| Minor defence of the dissertation | Internal defence of the dissertation, providing feedback before its final completion. |
| Final dissertation defence | Final defence of the dissertation before a committee, completing your PhD studies. |
Study Progress Evaluation
The evaluation of your PhD studies serves to continuously monitor the fulfilment of your Individual Study Plan (ISP) and to identify any potential difficulties at an early stage. Its purpose is to support successful progress through your studies and to determine the next steps in cooperation between you, your supervisor and the Doctoral Programme Board.
The fulfilment of your ISP is evaluated every semester through the Study Progress Report (ZPS).
Deadlines for Completing the Study Progress Report
The Study Progress Report must be completed:
- by 15 February for the winter semester;
- by 15 September for the summer semester.
Your faculty’s PhD study coordinator will inform you in advance when it is time to complete the Study Progress Report and will also provide you with the relevant internal deadline.
How is the Study Progress Report Approved?
Once completed by the PhD candidate, the Study Progress Report goes through the following approval process:
- Supervisor – completes the report and provides their assessment.
- Doctoral Programme Board, represented by the programme guarantor – evaluates the progress of the studies and proposes the next steps.
- Vice-Dean responsible for research – provides their statement.
- Dean – makes the final decision.
Regular evaluation is an important part of PhD study. Failure to fulfil the study requirements may ultimately result in the termination of studies.
Important documents