For prospective students

Degree: PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Duration of training: 8 semesters/4 academic years
Language of instruction: English
Completed Credits: 240
Language requirements: minimum level of B2 or official proof that your master study’s instruction language was English
Application requirements: Submitted online application form; Matching research topic with the announced ones and a completed oral entrance exam in English via Skype/VideoChat
Deadline for application: 31/May
Application fee: EUR 140
Tuition fee: EUR 6000/Academic year

For PhD students who had started their studies in or after the 2016/2017 academic year the study program is divided into 2 phases: the study period (2 years) and the research and thesis submission (2 years). By the end of the 2nd period, the student must submit and successfully defend her/his thesis.

At the end of 1st part – the study period – the student is obliged to take a complex comprehensive exam. The student can only enter the 2nd part of the study program upon the successful completion of the complex exam. In case of failure at the complex exam, in accordance with the Hungarian national law on higher education, the student is entitled to apply for the examination again in the same semester of the failed attempt.

In case the second attempt results in failure, the study period of the student terminate, and her/his scholarship holder status ceases.

Upon the successful completion of the complex exam, the student enters the second phase of the study program. During the second phase, the student must conduct her/his research activity and complete and submit her/his thesis for defense.

The defence of the thesis is the final stage of the doctoral process; after the candidate has successfully defended her/his thesis, a certificate of the completion of the doctoral process is issued stating that she/he had successfully completed all the requirements of the doctoral title. Please note that this certificate itself is not equal with the doctoral title – the PhD title awarded by the Doctoral and Habilitation Committee of the University.

Suggested Procedure Before the Admission Interview

Students applying to the Doctoral School of Earth Sciences should find a supervisor prior to the PhD interview. We recommend visiting the website of the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences Staff. By clicking on a selected professor's name, you can find information about their research topics. This website will help you identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests.
Students are encouraged to reach out to their potential supervisor via email, including relevant information about their research interests and a CV. If the supervisor expresses interest, they should engage in discussions about the research plan through a minimum of two online meetings.
After these discussions, if the supervisor accepts the candidate, the Doctoral School will issue a document that allows participation in the PhD interview.

PhD Interview

The PhD interview will be conducted via Skype. A member of the Doctoral School Committee, along with your potential supervisor, will be present during the interview. The purpose of the interview is to assess your language skills and, more importantly, your academic background.
The doctoral school evaluates the quality of your master's diploma and research plan on a scale of 0 to 40 points.
The quality of the interview is assessed on a scale of 0 to 60 points.
To be eligible for application, a minimum score of 53 points is required.

Admission requirements:

Valid passport
Finished BA/BSc diploma - a copy of University / College degree (in English or with official translation; the original hard copy must be shown after arrival)
Finished MA/MSc diploma - a copy of University / College degree (in English or with official translation; the original hard copy must be shown after arrival)
Certified (in English or with official translation) copy of transcripts
Two letters of recommendations
List of publications, if available
Research plan (1-3 pages)
Demonstrated evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency – B2 intermediate level
Medical certificate, vaccination card (showing that you are immunized against HEP B, C) and HIV test, and results of Chest X-Ray
Europass CV in English
Motivation letter (introduction plus field of interest, etc.) in 3000 to 3500 character