Full-Time Studies

The maximum period of study for full-time students is three years, including the state PhD exam and defence of their dissertation work. Students are entitled to a scholarship during their studies (click here Charles University Stipend Regulations for details) and can also be employed at the university or externally.

Full-time PhD students are expected to participate in research activities at our school (contribution to research objectives and grant projects). They must also complete their individual study plans, attend the PhD seminars, and publish in peer-reviewed journals, in proceedings, or at conferences.

Part-Time Studies

Part-time students may study from three to eight years, including the state PhD exams and defence of their dissertation work. They do not receive a scholarship; however, they may work at our school as part-time teachers. Part-time PhD students must complete their individual study plans, attend the PhD seminars, and publish in peer-reviewed journals, in proceedings or at conferences.

Degree Requirements

PhD studies fall under the authority of the Studies and Examination Committee at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University and Charles University's Study Regulations.

Students accepted into the PhD programme must complete the Registration Form for First-Year Students, create their individual study plans with their supervisor and submit these plans on the study plan form. Any changes to the study plans must be approved by the dean of studies on the basis of a written request from the student and signed by the supervisor and chair of the scientific committee.

Students must complete five oral or written examinations during their studies. These include an exam in philosophy, a foreign language exam, and three exams in their field of study:

• Theory and teaching of translation and interpreting

• Translation and interpreting methodology

• One of the following subjects: applied linguistics, translation history, or comparative literature

The basis of each examination is a discussion relating to ten academic publications set in advance by the members of the scientific committee and five academic studies relating to student's dissertation topic.

Students take the oral and written exams in the presence of a defence committee made up of the chair of the scientific committee (with the exception of the philosophy and foreign language exams where committee members nominate chairs from the relevant departments). Texts accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals or presented at conferences, and courses taken in the specific field of study may be accepted as contributions to the study requirements.

The required subject-area exams may be taken no more than twice (i.e. students are entitled to take exams a second time). The examiner or the chair of the scientific committee sends the exam results to the relevant studies department no later than two business days after the exams have been taken.

At the end of each school year, supervisors submit an assessment relating to fulfilment of the study plans to the scientific committee. The assessment also contains a written report from the student with a list of published work or work to be published, conference participation, internships, etc.

In the event of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances preventing students from completing their study plans, an interruption in their studies may be requested. However, students must complete their degree, regardless of any interruption, no later than eight years after commencement of their studies.

Degree Completion

Following completion of the five examinations, students may take the state PhD exam and submit their dissertation work for defence. For the state exam, students submit the state exam form to the Studies Department. The rules and regulations for preparing dissertation work are set out in the Charles University Faculty of Arts Studies and Examination Procedures and in the Charles University Faculty of Arts Study Regulations.

For the state PhD exam, students submit a chapter or relevant part of their dissertation. The dissertation defence may be preceded by an informal defence presentation. This takes place at the regular PhD seminars, and the goal is to present the research results to other PhD students.

Students may apply for the state PhD exam no later than 10 months prior to the maximum period of study. Dissertations must be submitted no later than six month prior to the maximum study period.