PhD Studies
Doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, are among the most prestigious at Masaryk University and in the Czech Republic. The range of accredited study programmes covers practically the entire spectrum of biomedical research and clinical medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, offers the best practices in PhD Training of its PhD students. The quality of doctoral studies has been confirmed by the evaluation of the Orpheus organisation that has awarded the Faculty with a quality certificate.
Students are expected to have a good background in the field as well as sufficient language skills to understand fully the study materials. Applicants are required to hold a corresponding degree from an officially accredited university. The Faculty of Medicine encourages applications from all students and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, gender or religion.
Studies in the English language programmes are free of charge, there is no tuition fee. Applicants only pay an application fee and also a fee for an assessment of previous foreign education (see more details in the part Admission Information below).
2700+
students in 20 years
550+
supervisors in 20 years
15
degree programs
The applicant is supposed to check the requirement for applicants specified for a particular study programme. Call for applicants to specific doctoral study programmes with the beginning of the study in the Spring term of the academic year 2023/2024 is open in the period from 1. 9. 2023 to 31. 10. 2023.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying, particularly to consult on the research focus and its possible guidance.
For information on open study programmes click on the banners:
For applicants
The admissions process consists of several parts:
-
Choose PhD thesis topic
Choose from offered PhD thesis topics
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying, particularly to consult on the research focus and its possible guidance.
-
Electronic application
Generally, the applicant has to submit the following documents (if not required otherwise all materials must be in Czech or English or must be original documents accompanied by Czech or English translations).
Once the call is open, the applicant may submit an electronic application form.
Necessary parts of the application are:
Curriculum vitae
A one-page outline of the student's professional background, experience, and skills.
An essay
Up to two pages of format-free text in length) explaining the reasons why the student should be accepted for study at the Faculty of Medicine and what study program and its specialization(s) he or she wishes to apply for.
Photocopies of all diplomas and transcripts
from all universities attended (the doctoral degree program requirement is a Master's degree in the corresponding field of study).
Two letters od recommendation
from persons familiar with the student's academic background.
Information for holders of foreign certificates and degrees
As stated in the Czech Higher Education Act, Section 48, admission to a Doctoral degree programme is conditional on the completion of studies in a Master’s degree programme.
The applicant who holds a certificate and a degree from a foreign higher education institution demonstrates the proper completion of studies in the Master's degree by:
- a foreign document on foreign higher education from countries with which the Czech Republic has concluded a so-called equivalence agreement;
- This applies to higher education obtained in the Master's degree programme in Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
- No other documents need to be submitted, and no other verification has to be administered
- a foreign document on foreign higher education for verification by the faculty;
- This applies to higher education obtained in the Master's degree programme in the countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
- The Faculty of Medicine may require the submission of additional information on the content and scope of the previous foreign higher education, and a confirmation from the relevant foreign authority that the given foreign university is authorized to provide higher education in the said foreign country.
- In case of doubts about the sufficient level, scope, or content of the previous foreign education proven in this way, the Faculty of Medicine will ask the applicant to complete the documentation with a certificate of recognition of foreign higher education.
- The verification administrated by the Faculty of Medicine is charged. In order to pay the fee, please go to the Shopping Center of Masaryk University.
- a certificate of recognition of foreign higher education submitted together with a foreign document on foreign higher education.
- This applies to higher education obtained in the Master’s degree programme in other countries than mentioned above, and to the one that will not be verified by the faculty (see the article above).
- This certificate of recognition of foreign higher education can be issued by any public university in the Czech Republic, which has an accredited study program with similar content.
- At Masaryk University, the recognition of previous Master’s degree programmes is administrated by the Office for Studies at the Rector’s Office. More information on the recognition (or so-called “nostrification”) issued by Masaryk University can be found at https://www.muni.cz/en/admissions/recognition/general
A foreign document on foreign higher education is usually a diploma or a certificate of completed studies.
- The documents must be submitted in notary-certified copies of officially verified originals (https://www.muni.cz/en/admissions/recognition/means-of-authentication).
- In case they are issued in other languages than Czech, Slovak, or English, certified translations of the documents to the Czech or English language must be enclosed.
The e-application period is open from 1. 9. 2023 to 30. 10. 2023.
- a foreign document on foreign higher education from countries with which the Czech Republic has concluded a so-called equivalence agreement;
-
Admission procedure fees
The admission fee is 600,- CZK. Information on how to pay the fee is stated directly in the e-application.
-
Administrative round
Once the applicant has submitted the application form and paid the application fee, the administrator of the Office for Research and Quality will download the application together with all enclosed documents and send it to the right study programme admission committee. It is necessary to complete the recognition of previous education, as mentioned on this webpage in the part "Admission Information". This procedure can take some time (months) to be completed.
The admission committee evaluates the materials which the applicant has attached to the application: curriculum vitae, an essay – a motivation letter, a diploma and transcript of courses taken, two letters of recommendation from previous teachers.
We recommend to the applicant to prepare these documents very carefully, as it is on the basis of these documents that the applicant will be invited to the second round of interviews.
-
Entrance examination
The entrance examination in the form of an interview conducted before the admission committee; upon prior agreement, it can be held using videoconferencing technology.
In the admission process, the applicant can obtain a maximum of 100 points. To be accepted, it is necessary to receive at least 85 points. An admission committee evaluates a presentation of an applicant during the exam. However, the final decision has to be made by the dean of faculty. If the result is "accepted", the administrator of the Office for Research and Quality prepares admission documents. These admission documents are sent directly to the applicant. In the case of a visa application, admission documents are required for the procedure.
For students
-
Conditions during the study
The basis of the doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University is the procedural pursuit of preparation of the doctoral thesis in close and regular interaction with the supervisor and supplemented by the faculty-wide applicable terms for completing the postgraduate studies.
Before the defense of the doctoral thesis is performed, the following conditions need to be met:
- Fulfill the requirements of the given individual study plan
- Complete at least four courses in four different fields of study courses of a common basis (see below).
Every doctoral student enrolled at LF MU after 1 September 2023 is required to take a course in ethics and academic integrity. It is compulsory to attend the course FRESHERS! It is recommended to choose the course DSEBRa Ethics of Biomedical Research. Completion of the course DSEBRa Ethics of Biomedical Research is highly recommended for all Ph.D. candidates of the Faculty of Medicine.
-
During the study
During the study, it is necessary to:
Complete at least four courses in four different fields of study courses of a common basis (see below)
- Complete at least four subject-area courses (within the competence of the doctoral board).
- Meet the publication activity requirements:
The faculty-wide conditions of doctoral studies stipulate as a publication minimum one first-author publication of an original paper in a journal with an IF value above the median of the field or two original first-author publications in a journal with an IF value in the third quartile of the dissertation field (Q3).
- Undergo an internship abroad (with a duration of at least one month), alternatively participate in an international project (attendance at the regular project team meetings is mandatory).
- Present original data at an international conference.
- Submit the doctoral thesis.
- Pass the final state doctoral examination.
- Acquire the total amount of 240 credits over the course of studies (in case the MU study and examination regulations change, the credit system may be bypassed at the discretion of the doctoral board).
Participation in teaching can then only reach the maximum of 150 hours/4 years.
The process of constructing an Individual Study Plan may be described by the following:
25 ECTS - The shared courses of the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
20 ECTS – Curriculum – Specific Courses
195 ECTS - the doctoral (defense of the doctoral thesis + the final state doctoral examination), publication activities, an internship abroad, attendance at an international conference, assistance in pedagogical activities, and teaching.
-
Common core courses
The common courses encompass the stated fields of scientific knowledge and capabilities. They can be completed as a part of the organized courses at the MU (in cooperation with the CEITEC, the Faculty of Science, etc.) or through the analogical external courses (e.g. The Course in the Fundamentals of Research Work Administered by the Czech Academy of Science).
Scientific Information, medicine based on evidence
e.g. courses:
DSAS01 Acquisition of scientific info, taught by Masaryk University Campus library;
C4866 Scientific knowledge and thinking (Faculty of Science);
C4868 Discover the science - Science and society (Faculty of Science)
Data analysis
e.g. courses:
BMAK051 Clinical Data Analysis;
E5444 Analysis of sequencing data (Faculty of Science);
Bi7550 Practical Analysis of Biological Data - Seminar (Faculty of Science);
C2170 Statistical Methods in Chemistry (Faculty of Science);
EO420 Data Analysis in Biomedical and Environmental Sciences I (Faculty of Science)
Publication, presentation, and grant-related skills
e.g. courses:
VLLL021 Searching medical literature and basics of scientific writing;
FRESHERS: Skills for Research Career;
XS450a Communication skills training (CEITEC);
S4010 Science Communication Course: Present Your Research Result with Confidence (CEITEC)
Computer Network User
e.g. course:
Practical information
Welcome office
The Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, is happy to welcome each international newcomer. To make their arrival easier, the helpful information provides faculty Welcome office.
Open Day
The Faculty of Medicine does not organize special Open Days for prospective doctoral students but these applicants are welcome to visit the Faculty during Open Days for prospective Bachelor or Master students (see here) or it is possible to come to the Office for Research and Quality after prior arrangement. For further information please contact Mr. Petr Bures from Office for Research and Quality (petr.bures@med.muni.cz).
Scholarships
International PhD candidates may be granted by a doctoral scholarship. This scholarship is paid monthly in the amount of 15000 CZK.
International students can apply for other various scholarships, such as:
Rooms for group work of Ph.D. students on campus
Do you need a place where you can meet and work with your colleagues? The following FM MU departments offer the opportunity to use their facilities for group work of PhD students. If you are interested in using a particular room, please contact the contact person of the relevant department.
|
Room |
Contact person |
Contact |
|
(Meeting room) |
Secretary AnatÚ Teorie LF MU |
549 49 1332 |
|
Managing assistant UZV PNO LF MU |
549 49 7241 |
|
|
(Seminar room) (Library, boardroom) |
Secretary FyziolÚ Teorie LF MU |
gabriela.reznickova@med.muni.cz 549 49 1340 |
|
Secretary ÚVZ Teorie LF MU |
549 49 1380 |
This activity was created in connection with the HR Award Action Plan of FM MU.
Strengthening the Prevention of Plagiarism in Student Works - handbooks
Student Handbook
Handbook for Academic Staff
How to Prevent Plagiarism in Student Work
All outputs and information about the projects Strengthening the Prevention of Plagiarism in Student Works project and Strengthening the Academic Integrity of University Students with a Focus on the Risks and Opportunities of Distance Learning and Assessment Methods can be found at www.akademickaetika.cz/en/
Life in the Czech Republic
Newcomers may find practical information about the arrival to the Czech Republic on the web of the Welcome Office of the Faculty of Medicine.
We do recommend to all applicants to read the amendment to the Act on Residence of Foreign Nationals' in the Territory of the Czech Republic and follow its regulations.
Life expenses
It is necessary to come to the Czech Republic with at least 20 000 CZK (€ 800) for life expenses per month.
Insurance
An applicant that needs a visa to get to the Czech Republic has to provide health insurance at minimum for the first year of study by one of the Czech insurance companies mentioned below. Without the insurance he/she cannot apply for visa. The other applicants, that do not need visa, are recommended to get the insurance as well.
Students from European Union have to visit VZP (the first company mentioned in the list of insurance companies in the Czech Republic below) and show them her/his insurance card from her/his country. The company will provide a czech insurance card for foreigners.
Possible insurance companies:
- VZP www.vzpforforeigners.cz
- Maxima www.maxima-as.cz
- Slavia www.pojistovna-slavia.cz
- Uniqa www.uniqa.cz
- Inter Partner Assistance (AXA) www.axa-assistance.cz/ipus
The Czech health insurance costs around 15 000 CZK (€ 600) per year.
Important web pages
- Visas and travel information
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
- List of Missions of the Czech Republic abroad
- Application for the Czech Visa
- Expats
- Masaryk University in Brno
- Masaryk University - Office for International Cooperation (OIC)
- Masaryk University - International Student Club (ISC)
- Brno - The second largest city of the Czech Republic
- Higher Education Act
- MU Study and Examination Regulations