Proper completion of study
A study in the Doctoral Study Program (DSP) is properly concluded with a state doctoral examination (referred to as "SDZ") and a public defense of the doctoral dissertation. The SDZ consists of two separate parts: the basic part, which assesses theoretical knowledge in specialized subjects, and the final part, which evaluates specialized knowledge related to the implementation of the doctoral candidate's own research work. The date of completion of the study is the day when the SDZ is conducted and the doctoral dissertation is publicly defended. Graduates of the DSP program are awarded the academic title of "Doctor," abbreviated as "Ph.D." placed after their name.
For more information, please refer to SZŘ, articles 9, 14, and 38-40. (see documents below).
Dissertation thesis and Defence
The final part of the SDZ is the professional component of the SDZ, which serves to assess specialized knowledge related to the implementation of the doctoral candidate's own research work. The examination is conducted in the form of an extended public discussion after the submission of the doctoral dissertation. The doctoral dissertation can be submitted in Czech, Slovak, or English, and exceptionally, with the prior consent of the Dean and the Departamental Board, in another world language. Rules for submission, content, format, and publication of doctoral dissertations are specified in the internal document "Pravidla pro předkládání a zveřejňování dizertačních prací na VŠCHT Praha" (see the documents section), and in the case of non-public doctoral dissertations, in the internal document "Pravidla pro obhajoby, uchovávání a zveřejňování neveřejných závěrečných prací na VŠCHT Praha" (see the documents section).
Announcements regarding the defense are always published on the website of the respective faculty. (FCHT, FTOP, FPBT, FCHI).
The components of the application include:
- Signed copies of the doctoral dissertation (number of copies depends on faculty regulations), securely bound. Utilize the cover generator on the Intranet of UCT Prague → Final Theses (information for doctoral candidates) → Guidelines for the preparation, printing, and submission of the doctoral dissertation.
- A list of all published works by the doctoral candidate in printed form (signed).
- A structured curriculum vitae in printed form (signed).
- A copy of the university diploma if it had not been submitted during enrollment.
- The supervisor's opinion and their statement regarding the doctoral candidate's international experience, or the doctoral candidate's participation in an international team, if relevant.
- The head of the training department's opinion on the doctoral dissertation.
In the case of a negative assessment of the doctoral dissertation by two or more opponents, the chairman of the committee shall inform the Dean, who will suspend the proceedings. The Dean will set a deadline for the resubmission of the revised doctoral dissertation, which will be sent to the opponents for reevaluation. If the assessment of the revised doctoral dissertation by two or more opponents remains negative or if the applicant does not submit the revised doctoral dissertation within the specified period, the proceedings will be considered as concluded with a "fail" grade for the defense of the doctoral dissertation, and the study will be terminated. In the case of a "fail" grade for the defense of the doctoral dissertation, the defense can only be repeated once. The proceedings for the defense of the doctoral dissertation and the study may be suspended for the necessary period for revising the doctoral dissertation, but not beyond the date specified by the Dean. For more information, please refer to SZŘ, Article 40 (see the documents section).
References
Information on submitting doctoral dissertations for supervisors.
Guidelines for the preparation, printing, and submission of doctoral dissertations.
Notices about the defense sessions:
Diplomas
Starting from June 2024, UCT Prague will start issuing bilingual Czech-English diplomas to graduates of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. These new diplomas will not include the birth name by default.
However, the birth name can be included on the diploma upon a written request submitted by the student to the faculty dean's office no later than 5 working days before the final state exams or thesis defence. For this purpose, the student should use the general application form, specifying the request for the inclusion of the birth name and providing the birth name in the explanation. If the birth name is not yet entered in the SIS, a copy of the birth certificate or another official document proving the birth name must be attached to the application.
The application form is available here: https://www.vscht.cz/studium/studuji/ukonceni-preruseni-studia
Graduation ceremony
The graduation ceremony for those who defended their theses between June 2024 and May 2025 will take place on June 18, 2025. Invitations will be sent out at the beginning of June, both electronically and by post, to the contact addresses provided in the application for permission to defend.
SDZ Roadmap
