Gaining your PhD by Research at Charles University in Prague
The attractions of Prague and the University’s reputation may motivate you to follow your PhD studies here. The Institute of Translation Studies at the Faculty of Arts launched its PhD program in the mid-1990s, while its tradition in Translation/Interpreting training dates back to 1963. Our team and individual research are focused on both past and present translation practice, examining their evolution and cultural impact, on individual and institutional agencies, on the historiography of the discipline, and the development of its interdisciplinarity and methodology. The unique aspects are (a) our focus on minor and “translation” cultures, and (b) Czech structuralist methodological background adapted to present-day multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches.
Doctoral students planning to pursue their research on a contextualized history of translation, on the theory or historiography of Translation Studies (including methodology), or on a modern topic through the lenses of several disciplines, are welcome.
Applying for your PhD studies at Charles University
Applications for entry to PhD Study are accepted (in electronic version only) from 1st January to 30th April 2017
Requirements: A completed application form and supplementary documentation in the form of email attachments.
Required attachments: (1) Your curriculum vitae, (2) An outline of your dissertation project (the topic should be discussed beforehand with Jana Králová at jana.kralova@ff.cuni.cz), (3) Your reading list, (4) A list of your academic and professional activities – publications, teaching, translation/interpreting, (5) A transcript of your academic record, (6) The name of your proposed dissertation supervisor.
Payment of the examination fee can be made via bank transfer or online by credit/debit card.
The interview takes place in Prague. If a videoconference is more convenient for you, please apply for this form of the interview at the Admissions Office 10 days before the due date. We also prefer to carry out a technical functionality test several days before the agreed date of the session to avoid any fault. The interview takes place in mid-June, and consists of the following:
(1) Discussion of your project
(2) Exploration of your knowledge in the field of TS (based on your reading list)
(3) Assessment of your experience: academic and professional activities (assessment of previous studies, publications, teaching, translation/interpreting practice, etc.)
The three parts are graded as follows (in points):
– Dissertation project (0-30)
– Academic knowledge (0-15)
– Assessment of academic and professional performance and activities (0-15)
The maximum possible score is 60; the minimum for a pass is 30, however, your admission will depend on your ranking among successful candidates.
For official information on admission and suggested dissertation topics go to:
https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/prijimacky/index.php?do=detail_obor&id_obor=17716&fakulta=11210 for part-time study
https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/prijimacky/index.php?do=detail_obor&id_obor=17717&fakulta=11210 for full-time study
Information for candidates who prefer to pursue their studies in French:
https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/prijimacky/index.php?do=detail_obor&id_obor=17721&fakulta=11210 for full-time study
https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/prijimacky/index.php?do=detail_obor&id_obor=17720&fakulta=11210 for part-time study
Date of notification of the result of the interview: the day of your interview.
Date of notification of non-admission: early July, by post.
Date of written notification of provisional admission (supplied on request only): early July.
Date of registration/enrolment: mid-September (later dates on request).
Unless you receive a letter of rejection (non-admission), you can assume that you have been provisionally admitted to PhD studies. Students who need to apply for a visa and/or accommodation in the University halls of residence must provide written confirmation of provisional admission and a completed application form for accommodation. The relevant forms are obtainable from the Research Office (see below in Contacts).
Important
On the day of your registration/enrolment you are required to produce certified copies of your MA diploma and certification of your graduation in English or in Czech. If these documents were issued in English you need not have them translated but you must obtain a photocopy, certified as a true (valid) copy by the signature and official stamp of a notary (commissioner for oaths) in your country. If the documents were issued in any other language you will need to arrange for their translation either into English or into Czech by a sworn translator.
Another important requirement is to have your MA degree recognized (this procedure is called nostrification) by Charles University on the day of your registration. You must produce the supporting documentation at the time of registration. To obtain recognition (nostrification) you must submit a written application to the University. Recognition means that your degree is acknowledged as comparable with a similar degree awarded in the Czech Republic in the relevant field of MA study. You will find more specific information on the Charles University website (in English) where details are shown regarding this recognition issue, or at ff.cuni.cz/home/applicants/nostrification-diplomas/. We suggest that you submit your application to the University no later than the date when you receive notification that you have been provisionally admitted to PhD studies, in early July. (NB: this notification is supplied on prior request only). In your application please mention that your request is for purposes of admission to PhD studies. However, it is advisable to apply for nostrification earlier because the process may take up to 2-3 months.
Below is an extract from http://www.ff.cuni.cz/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PhD-obecn%C3%A9-podm%C3%ADnky-2017-18_EN:
7.2 The final results of the admission procedure will be available after the central admissions committee has convened, no later than on 4 July 2017. Applicants should refer to the website at is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/ (under Admission procedure status) for the number of points they obtained and the admission/non-admission status for each of the programs they have applied for, using the e-mail address and password which they gave when submitting the online application. The Faculty will not inform applicants or any other persons about the results of other applicants. Only general information on the admission procedure is announced on the Faculty´s notice board.
7.3 The full-time and combined forms of study apply different maximum numbers of admissions. Applicants cannot be admitted without supplying, no later than on the enrolment day, evidence of their previous education (refer to 7.4 below).
7.4 Applicants for doctoral degree programs must document their previous education by presenting a certified copy of their master’s diploma. Applicants who have completed their master’s degree abroad must, in addition, submit documents recognizing and validating their foreign university degree (unless stated otherwise by an international agreement). For more detailed information regarding the rules applicable to the recognition and validation of foreign university degrees (nostrification), please refer to ff.cuni.cz/home/applicants/nostrification-diplomas/.
7.5 … Successful applicants will be asked to enroll on a specified date. During the enrolment, they will be asked to present documentation of their previous education (see section 7.4 above). On presenting these documents, the applicant will obtain confirmation of admission and will be enrolled …
Further information
Fees, scholarships, and discounts: please refer to the English web pages of Charles University and Faculty of Arts at http://www.ff.cuni.cz/home/life-in-prague/. As a full-time student enrolling in 2017 you will receive a scholarship of approx. 230 Euro per month. Part-time students are not eligible for this type of scholarship. Other types of scholarships are available. The tuition fee of 2,000 CZK per annum relates to both categories of students enrolling in 2017.
Period of study: The standard length is 4 years, the maximum duration is 8 years. For more information please refer to http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-521-version1-basic_information_for_students.pdf and to http://www.ff.cuni.cz/home/applicants/phd-programmes/
Accommodation in Student Halls of Residence: please refer to the English website of Charles University (see below). There are other options and ways of finding accommodation in Prague.
Life in Prague (including visa and permits, health care, etc.): see the website of Charles University below.
General information, references, and contacts
Charles University Information and Counselling Office: http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-7.html
University website:
http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-521.html
http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-15.html
http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-8.html
http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-384.html
Faculty of Arts
Official websites for PhD applicants in Arts: http://www.ff.cuni.cz/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PhD-obecné-podmínky-2017-18_EN-web.pdf
http://www.ff.cuni.cz/home/applicants/phd-programmes/
Contact at the Institute of Translation Studies: Zuzana Jettmarová (jettmar@ff.cuni.cz)
Contact at the Admissions Office: Martin Světlík (martin.svetlik@ff.cuni.cz)
Contact at the Research Office: Martina Baslová (martina.baslova@ff.cuni.cz) and Jana Pavlíčková (jana.pavlickova@ff.cuni.cz)
To discuss the topic of your dissertation contact Jana Králová (jana.kralova@ff.cuni.cz)
Course of Studies
This PhD is pursued by research. Although a prescribed general framework applies, the plan of studies is flexible and is adjusted to the needs of the student in terms of options:
Graduates with a doctoral degree may find job opportunities in scientific and research centers, as teachers of translation or interpreting, or as experts who assess translations and interpreting services. They may also focus on developing new technologies related to translation and interpreting.
Study Programme: Philology
Branch of Study: Translation Studies
Members of the Scientific Committee link