The rules, rights, and obligations generally applicable to candidates of all study programs are defined by the relevant articles in Parts I and II of the Study and Examination Regulations (SZŘ).
For more information, see SZŘ, Articles 9, 14, and 38–40 (see the Document section).
Proper completion of study and the state doctoral examination (SDZ)
Doctoral candidates who began their studies after September 1, 2025, complete their doctoral study program (DSP) by passing the SDZ, which consists of the defense of the dissertation, including an extended discussion.
Doctoral candidates enrolled before September 1, 2025, take the SDZ in two parts:
· a basic part (hereinafter referred to as the “basic part of the SDZ”), and
· a final part (hereinafter referred to as the “final part of the SDZ”),
The SDZ is conducted in Czech, Slovak, or English.
Basic part of the SDZ
The basic part of the SDZ, which serves to verify theoretical knowledge in specialized subjects, may be taken before the dissertation defense or as part of an extended discussion during the defense. This part applies only to doctoral candidates enrolled before September 1, 2025.
The basic part of the SDZ consists of at least three thematic areas approved for the doctoral study program (DSP). Doctoral candidates may take this examination only after fulfilling all study obligations listed in their individual study plan (ISP) and after receiving a “pass” grade either from the DSP student scientific conference at UCT Prague, or from an alternative activity approved by the chair of the departmental board (e.g., a presentation in English at an international conference).
Doctoral candidates register electronically in the SIS system according to the instructions provided by the Dean’s Office. The doctoral candidate will receive information about the examination date no later than 30 calendar days before it takes place.
If the result in one or more thematic areas of the basic part of the SDE is “fail”, the overall result of the examination is also “fail”, and the doctoral candidate must repeat the entire basic part of the SDZ. A doctoral candidate has the right to retake the basic part only once, and not earlier than three months after the unsuccessful examination.
Topics for the state doctoral examinations can be found in SIS (in the detail of a subject "State doctoral examination" for the relevant programme (link to the list in SIS).
Final part of the SDZ
The final part of the SDZ, which serves to verify professional knowledge related to the implementation of the doctoral candidate’s own research work, is conducted as part of the dissertation defense. This part applies to all doctoral candidates, regardless of their year of enrollment.
Diagram for the SDZ – candidates enrolled before 2025
Diagram for the SDZ – candidates enrolled after 2025
Dissertation thesis
The dissertation thesis is the result of addressing a specific scientific problem and must contain original and published results, or results that have been accepted for publication or prepared for publication. The dissertation thesis may also include a functional prototype of a technical device, a patent application, or technical documentation created as part of research, development, or innovation activities, or another application-oriented research, development, or innovation outcome. In such cases, the doctoral candidate must supplement this component with a comprehensive introduction to the topic and a commentary describing their personal contribution to the achieved results. The dissertation thesis may also take the form of a commented collection of the author’s published works, provided this is not contrary to the specific requirements established by the relevant departmental board under paragraph 5.
The dissertation thesis may be submitted in Czech or English.
The rules for submission, content, format, and publication of dissertation thesis are defined in the internal document “Rules for submitting and publishing dissertation thesis at UCT Prague” (see the Documents section). In the case of non-public dissertations, the applicable regulations are also defined in the internal document “Defense and storage of theses with deferred publishing” (see the Documents section), as well as in other relevant internal documents of UCT Prague.
The specific requirements of the departmental board regarding the content and format of dissertations for a given doctoral study program (DSP) are made available to doctoral candidates in the public section of the UCT Prague website.
The application for permission to defend the dissertation must be submitted by the doctoral candidate no later than four months before the expiration of the maximum period of study, as defined in Article 1(4). This period is calculated from the first day of the academic year in which the doctoral candidate was enrolled. If the doctoral candidate enrolled after the first day of the academic year, the maximum duration of study is calculated from the date of enrollment.
The application for permission to defend the dissertation is submitted by the doctoral candidate to the Dean. The application must include the following:
1. signed hardbound copies of the dissertation thesis, in the number specified by the Dean’s Office or the doctoral study board;
2. a printed and signed overview of the doctoral candidate’s publication and practical activities, including the supervisor’s statement regarding the doctoral candidate’s international experience in accordance with Article 3 (15);
3. a signed copy of the structured curriculum vitae (CV).
The dissertation defense is public and takes place in accordance with the rules set out in the relevant internal document.
If the dissertation defense is evaluated as “fail”, the defense may be repeated only once. For the necessary period to revise the dissertation, but no longer than the deadline set by the Dean, the defense procedure and the candidate’s studies may be suspended.
Printing of the dissertation thesis
Instructions on writing, printing and delivery of dissertation theses are available on the UCT Prague intranet.
Format
· A4: Can be printed at any copy center (including the university copy center in Building B).
· B5: Due to the more demanding processing of the B5 format, longer production times should be expected. Not all copy centers offer this format.
Verified copy centers in Dejvice that handle the B5 format:
· Repro Fetterle (Náměstí Na Santince 2440/5) – discounted rates for UCT Prague students
· Power Print (Zikova 17, Praha 6 Dejvice).
References
· Information on submitting doctoral dissertations for supervisors
· Guidelines for the preparation, printing, and submission of doctoral dissertations
· Notice about the defense sessions (only in Czech):
o FCHT
o FTOP
o FPBT
After the defense
Diplomas
Since June 2024, graduates have been issued bilingual Czech-English diplomas.
These diplomas do not normally include the birth name. However, it is possible to have the birth name included upon written request submitted to the Faculty Dean’s Office no later than 5 working days before the state final examination or the dissertation defense. For this purpose, doctoral candidates must use the universal general request form (see Document section), and specify in the request that they wish to have their birth name included on the diploma, providing the birth name in the justification.
If the birth name is not yet entered in the SIS, the request must be accompanied by a copy of the birth certificate or another official document confirming the birth name.
Graduation ceremony
The graduation ceremony for those who defended their dissertations between June 2025 and May 2026 will take place on the 17 June 2026. Invitations will be sent out at the beginning of June 2026 electronically and by post to the contact addresses provided in the application for permission to defend.
