Study Obligations

This page provides an overview of the basic requirements, expectations, and conditions of doctoral study programmes at the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE).

Doctoral Study Obligations at VŠE

Doctoral studies represent the highest level of higher education and focus on independent creative and research activities. At VŠE, doctoral studies are offered in full-time and part-time (combined) forms and are guided by an Individual Study Plan (ISP) that reflects the student’s research focus as well as faculty-specific requirements.

The standard duration of study is four years, and the maximum duration is five years (maternity leave and study interruption are not included in this limit).

Individual Study Plan (ISP)

The Individual Study Plan (ISP) serves as a roadmap for the entire doctoral study and defines the timeline and structure of all academic and research obligations.

The ISP is prepared by the supervisor in cooperation with the doctoral student at the beginning of the programme. After discussion in the doctoral programme board, it is approved by the Dean (see Study and Examination Regulations, Part Four, Article 19).

The fulfilment of the ISP takes place under the guidance of the supervisor, who supports the doctoral student throughout their studies, provides expert feedback, and helps guide the different phases of the doctoral programme.

The ISP consists of:

• a common university-wide framework (defined in Appendix No. 1 of the Study and Examination Regulations),
• faculty-specific requirements established by the Dean.

The ISP usually consists of two interconnected parts:

• Study Component (Focused on developing research competencies and academic specialization.)
• Research Component (Focused on conducting research, preparing the doctoral dissertation, planning publication activities, and completing an international research stay.)

The ISP also includes:

• a semester-by-semester timeline of obligations,
• a working title of the dissertation,
• planned dates for key milestones, including colloquia, the pre-defence (“small defence”), and the final dissertation defence.

For full-time students, the ISP also includes teaching responsibilities.

Evaluation of Study Progress

The evaluation of doctoral studies is designed to monitor the fulfilment of the ISP and identify potential challenges early. Its goal is to support the successful completion of the programme and define the next steps in cooperation between the doctoral student, the supervisor, and the programme board.

The fulfilment of the ISP is evaluated through the Study Progress Report (“Zpráva o průběhu studia,” ZPS) every semester by the programme board.

Deadlines for submitting the ZPS

• 15 February (for the winter semester)
• 15 September (for the summer semester)

Final approval process

The ZPS is approved in the following sequence:

1. Supervisor (comments and evaluation)
2. Programme board representative / programme guarantor (proposal for further progress)
3. Vice-Dean for Research (opinion)
4. Dean (final decision)

You will be invited to complete the ZPS by the doctoral studies coordinator at your faculty, who will also inform you about internal deadlines. Failure to meet study obligations may lead to termination of studies.

Study Requirements – Full-Time Study

General obligations throughout the study (for students starting from 09/2025)

Doctoral candidates are expected to:

• systematically work on their dissertation research and publications,
• consult with their supervisor (minimum 40 hours per year),
• participate in departmental academic events,
• collaborate on research projects,
• from the second semester onward participate in teaching (minimum 90 minutes per week, unless decided otherwise),
• conduct research and related activities corresponding to approximately 28 hours per week.

Key components of doctoral study

Doctoral studies typically include:

• doctoral introductory training,
• specialized courses (usually 4–5 depending on the faculty),
• research and work on the dissertation,
• course for young teachers (unless specified otherwise),
• publication and conference activities (e.g., presenting at an international scientific conference),
• participation in teaching and academic activities,
• participation in research projects,
• international research stay (minimum 1 month),
• three colloquia during the study,
• pre-defence of the dissertation,
• final dissertation defence.

Publication Requirements

Typical publication milestones include:

3rd semester: Submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal that at the time of submission has:

• SJR ranking at least Q3, or AIS ranking at least Q3, in a field related to the dissertation topic.

6th semester: Submission of another manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal that has:

• SJR ranking at least Q2, or AIS ranking at least Q3, also related to the dissertation topic.

Detailed requirements are defined in the Study and Examination Regulations of VŠE, particularly Appendix No. 1, and may be further specified by faculty-level regulations issued by the Dean.

Study Obligations– Part-Time (Combined) Study

General obligations throughout the study (for students starting from 09/2025)

Students must:

• systematically work on their dissertation research,
• consult with their supervisor (minimum 40 hours per year),
• participate in departmental academic events.

Main study components

Doctoral studies include:

• doctoral introductory training,
• specialized courses according to the ISP,
• research and work on the dissertation,
• literature review,
• publication and conference activities (presentation at an international conference),
• participation in research projects and international collaboration,
• international research stay (minimum 1 month),
• three colloquia,
• pre-defence,
• final dissertation defence.

Publication requirement

5th semester

Submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal with:

• SJR ranking at least Q2, or AIS ranking at least Q3, in a field related to the dissertation topic.

Detailed requirements are defined in the Study and Examination Regulations of VŠE, particularly Appendix No. 1, and may also be specified by faculty-level regulations.

Colloquia

During their studies, doctoral students complete three colloquia. These milestones help structure the dissertation process and provide continuous feedback.

• Colloquium 1: defence of the research proposal (topic, research questions, methodology framework).
• Colloquium 2: presentation of the detailed research design, including data and methodology.
• Colloquium 3: defence of preliminary results, demonstrating research progress and emerging conclusions.

Each faculty may set slightly different requirements (for example, minimum length of the dissertation draft). Specific rules are defined in faculty regulations issued by the Dean.

International Research Stay and International Collaboration

During doctoral studies, students must complete an international research stay lasting at least one month. The stay can be divided into several shorter visits.

This requirement applies to both full-time and part-time students.

Part-time students may replace the international stay (or part of it) with another form of international research collaboration, such as participation in an international research project, provided that it:

• is included in the Individual Study Plan, and
• is approved by the programme board.

Students Who Started Before September 2025

Students who began their doctoral studies before September 2025 follow the previous study regulations.

Their studies are governed by the Individual Study Plan, which they fulfil under the supervision of their supervisor.

Students are required to:

• successfully pass the required examinations,
• conduct research and publication activities,
• regularly present research results (e.g., at departmental meetings),
• participate in departmental research activities,
• complete an international study or research stay of at least one month, or participate in international research collaboration.

The fulfilment of the ISP is evaluated once per year through the Study Progress Report prepared by the supervisor in cooperation with the department head and programme guarantor.

A positive evaluation approved by the Dean is required to enrol in the next year of study.

Progression requirements

• 2nd year: at least two examinations passed and other ISP obligations fulfilled
• 3rd year: all required examinations completed
• 4th year: state doctoral examination passed
• 5th year: pre-defence completed and dissertation recommended for defence

Students who fail to meet these conditions may request conditional enrolment from the Dean.

The programme also includes a state doctoral examination. More information here.

Funding of Doctoral Studies (from 1 September 2025)

Based on the amendment to the Higher Education Act effective from 1 September 2025, students enrolled in full-time doctoral programmes after this date are guaranteed an income of at least 1.2 times the minimum wage.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the guaranteed doctoral income is set at 24,960 CZK per month.

Doctoral scholarships may be granted under the conditions specified in the Scholarship Regulations of VŠE and faculty regulations issued by the Dean.

The scholarship may be reduced or withdrawn if the ISP is not fulfilled.

Additional funding through research projects or grants should be discussed with your supervisor, depending on opportunities available at individual faculties.