Getting Started
Starting your doctoral studies is the first formal step on your PhD journey. At this stage, it is important not only to complete the necessary administrative requirements but also to establish the basic framework for cooperation with your supervisor and to gain an overview of how the study process works. Below you will find key information and contacts to help you smoothly begin your doctoral studies at VŠE.
First Administrative Steps: Where and Who to Contact
We have prepared an overview of the key practical and administrative steps that should be completed shortly after starting your doctoral studies.
| Practical steps | Who to contact | When to arrange | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolment in the doctoral programme | Doctoral Study Coordinator, who will provide you with enrolment instructions | Upon starting your studies | Enrolment in doctoral study programmes is organised according to the instructions of the respective Faculty Dean’s Office. Studies usually commence at the beginning of the relevant semester or on another date determined by the faculty. |
| Access to the university network and Eduroam | Doctoral Study Coordinator + Informatics Centre | Upon starting your studies | University Wi-Fi (Eduroam) can be configured from the second day after enrolment. Instructions are available here: Eduroam setup instructions. |
| Applying for a student ID / ISIC card | Arrange individually | Upon starting your studies | Students continuing their studies at VŠE do not need to obtain a new card and may continue using their existing one. The card can be ordered via InSIS → Student’s portal → Orders and subsequently collected from the card collection desk on the ground floor of the Italská Building. More information is available on the ID Cards website. |
| Information and guidance on doctoral studies | Supervisor, Doctoral Study Coordinator, and Doctoral Hub | Upon starting your studies / as needed | We recommend attending the PhD Welcome Day in October at the beginning of your studies. |
| Applying for a doctoral scholarship | Arrange individually after enrolment | Upon starting your studies | Submit the application via the Contact Centre in InSIS → Contact Centre → Searching for solution → Ph.D. Studies → Application for doctoral scholarship (You will need to provide your bank account number). |
| Applying for an accommodation scholarship | Arrange individually | We recommend applying as soon as possible | The application form is available in InSIS under Student’s portal → Accommodation benefit application form
For more information about accommodation options for doctoral students in VŠE halls of residence, please follow the relevant steps provided on the website of the VŠE Accommodation. |
| Office keys, allocation of an office/workspace, PC and/or monitor, equipment, etc. | Department Secretary / Supervisor / Head of Department | As needed | We recommend asking your supervisor who you should contact to arrange these matters. |
| Parking card | Arrange individually | As needed | Complete the form available in the relevant VŠE regulation (only in Czech) and send it to parkovacikarta@vse.cz. |
| Mandatory introductory training (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Training for Doctoral Students) | Arrange individually | Upon starting your studies / as needed | Available via Moodle. |
Tip: Familiarise yourself with the options for using the university VPN when working off campus. We also recommend checking your university email regularly, as important information concerning your studies, scholarships, international mobility opportunities, doctoral courses, conferences and other activities is communicated via your university email account.
Doctoral Study Coordinators
For administrative matters related to the start and course of doctoral studies, please contact the doctoral study coordinators at your faculty.
Agáta Bernasová
Faculty of Finance and Accounting
referentkads_ffu@vse.cz
+420 224 095 142
Ing. Tereza Krajíčková, DiS.
Faculty of Informatics and Statistics
tereza.krajickova@vse.cz
+420 224 095 464
Alena Muchková
Faculty of Economics
alena.muchkova@vse.cz
+420 224 095 540
Mgr. Irena Míková, Ph.D.
Faculty of Management
irena.mikova@vse.cz
+420 384 417 235
Next Steps
After starting your doctoral studies, there are several important steps to take. We recommend beginning with the following:
1. Meet with your supervisor
Contact your supervisor as soon as possible and arrange an initial meeting – either in person or online. Before the meeting, we recommend reviewing the basic information about your study requirements and thinking about what you expect from your doctoral studies.
During the meeting, you should discuss in particular:
- how your doctoral studies will be organised and what to expect during the first few months,
- mutual expectations and communication – how often you will meet, how you will discuss the progress of your studies and research, and how you will work together,
- your Individual Study Plan (ISP) – which courses are suitable for you and how to distribute them across individual semesters, what publication outputs are expected of you, which journals or conferences to focus on, and what other study and research activities to plan.
Once agreed upon, your Individual Study Plan is entered into InSIS. You then approve the plan, thereby confirming your commitment to fulfilling it.
Important information about course registration: Unlike Bachelor’s and Master’s students, doctoral students do not register for courses themselves. After consulting your supervisor, you will submit your compulsory and compulsory elective courses using the Course Registration Form or another procedure specified by your doctoral study coordinator.
For your initial meeting and subsequent meetings with your supervisor, you can also use the Adaptation Plan for Doctoral Students. It serves as a practical guide for discussions throughout the first year of your studies, helping you establish mutual expectations and communication and gradually address important topics related to your studies and research.
2. Familiarise yourself with your study requirements
At the beginning of your studies, review our overview of doctoral study requirements, where you will find an overview of what to expect during your doctoral studies.
Make sure you also familiarise yourself with:
- the university-wide regulations of VŠE governing doctoral studies,
- the rules and documents of your faculty and doctoral study programme,
- important deadlines and study milestones.
Individual faculties and doctoral study programmes may have their own requirements in addition to the university-wide rules.
3. Join us at the PhD Welcome Day
Every October, the Doctoral Hub organises the PhD Welcome Day for newly enrolled doctoral students.
The event brings together the essential information you will need at the beginning of your studies. You will learn:
- how doctoral studies at VŠE work,
- what your main study requirements are and what is expected of you during your studies,
- what support and development opportunities are available to you during your PhD,
- who you can contact for support and guidance throughout your studies.
You will also have the opportunity to meet colleagues from the departments and units you will interact with during your studies, as well as other newly enrolled doctoral students from across VŠE.
HR Resources for New Doctoral Employees
For doctoral candidates who are also university employees, we recommend reviewing materials prepared by the HR Department: