Doctoral studies
at the Faculty of Natural Sciences
of Comenius University in Bratislava
Doctoral students of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Comenius University in Bratislava are integral members of the Slovak university elite who carry with them prestige and considerable responsibilities. During their studies they develop scientific thinking, enhance their scientific overview, gain the ability to pass on their acquired knowledge to younger generations, and so society can therefore expect their conveyance of morality, ethics and etiquette.
The success of doctoral studies is based on the traditional requirement for original scholarship which will make a material contribution to the candidate's chosen field. In order to accomplish this, each doctoral candidate develops a project of study, research and practice which provides the raw material for a project or dissertation within the chosen discipline.
PhD programmes generally last four years and students are expected to submit a thesis within this period.
In the first year, students normally devote themselves to identifying a topic and surveying as much pertinent literature as possible to prove the originality of their research. Here, they will have guidance from their academic supervisor. The second and third years are spent on the work required to prove their hypotheses and to formulate specific conclusions. Most of the final year of the Ph.D study is spent on writing up the thesis.
When this programme is completed, the project, traditionally called a "dissertation", must be presented for discussion and evaluation. The dissertation must first be defined and negotiated, and then presented and defended. The defence phase may take place over a period of several months. This will determine whether the candidate has made an original contribution to his or her field of study.
For the duration of the doctoral studies, doctoral students are provided a scholarship in the amount stated by determined regulations (about 900 EUR).
Doctoral students are provided with accommodations in ŠDaJ UK (Student dormitories and canteens of Comenius University). Bratislava and its surroundings of course, provide a wide range of accommodations of all standards.