Historical Sciences

The doctoral study program focuses on developing scientific and academic potential and providing scientific training for experts in the field of historical sciences, which are taught and scientifically developed at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, namely at the Department of History, the Department of European Ethnology, the Department of Classical Studies, and the Department of Auxiliary Historical Sciences and Archival Studies.

Graduates are prepared to critically examine and interpret issues of complex national and state history and cultural manifestations in a Central European and global context. Based on interdisciplinary dialogue and consistent internationalization, scientific training is focused on creating the conditions for a successful career in academic and professionally oriented institutions, in state and public services, and in organizations specializing in the protection, documentation, and presentation of cultural heritage.

The doctoral study program emphasizes professionalism and the development of doctoral students' scientific and academic competencies. It is designed so that graduates are able to creatively apply and develop their theoretical and methodological knowledge. The doctoral study program culminates in a dissertation, which is understood as an independent research project based on an original critical treatment of a selected topic and the theoretical and methodological postulates of current research in the humanities.

Doctoral projects and partial research tasks solved during doctoral studies respect the scientific and research strategy of the training workplaces associated with the doctoral study program Historical Sciences and include the following fields:

1. History

2. Ethnology

3. Auxiliary historical sciences

4. Archiving

Doctoral students are guided toward independent scientific work based on knowledge of modern historical, auxiliary scientific, archival, and ethnological research methods and on interdisciplinary dialogue with the humanities, social sciences, law, and natural sciences. Knowledge is tested, applied, and demonstrated in dissertations and field activities (publications, active participation in conferences and scientific research projects).

The doctoral project is supervised by a supervisor, who may propose the appointment of a consultant to the doctoral board, and is based on an individual study plan (ISP). The ISP is approved by the doctoral board and its implementation is subject to review and approval by the supervisor, or the supervisor and consultant, and the doctoral board each semester. The establishment of a Theses Advisory Committee (TAC) appears to be superfluous, duplicating the work of the doctoral board and complicating the dialogue between the doctoral board and the supervisor and doctoral student.

Practical training

The doctoral study program Historical Sciences includes both theoretical (History, Auxiliary Historical Sciences, Archival Science) and practical (Ethnology) fields.

Practical fields include professional practice, the scope and nature of which are determined by the ISP. Practice can also be planned in justified cases of theoretically focused projects. It may take the form of consultations and gaining experience in scientific and research institutions.

All doctoral students, without exception, must complete:

• a study stay abroad lasting at least one month (in the internal form of the doctoral study program continuously, in the combined form in total)
• courses and activities developing pedagogical competences (in the internal form of the doctoral study program at the training workplace, in the combined form, practice outside the training workplace can be recognized)
• courses developing academic and scientific competencies
• fulfill the conditions for creative activity (presentation of scientific research results at professional forums and platforms at home and abroad, publication activity according to the doctoral study program requirements)

Graduates of the Historical Sciences doctoral program can find employment as qualified experts in various areas of scientific and public life. As trained scientists authorized to conduct independent research, they can work at universities, scientific institutes, archives, museums, libraries, and other specialized workplaces, particularly those involved in memory and education, in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

Thanks to their broad outlook and ability to contextualize and critically interpret information, they can work in non-profit and non-governmental organizations, the media, and publishing houses, or even outside the field of historical sciences altogether, in management and public relations positions, as well as in various areas of public administration and the private sector.

Deadline for submitting applications: May 1 - May 31

Deadline for submitting documents for the admission procedure: May 31

Graduates of Master’s degree programmes in Ethnology, History (from Antiquity to the present, inclusive), Auxiliary Historical Sciences / Archival Studies, and related disciplines are eligible to apply for the doctoral study programme “Historical Sciences.”

For the admissions procedure, the following documents must be submitted:

• A structured curriculum vitae, including proof of completion of the Master’s degree. If the admissions procedure takes place prior to the date of the final state examination and thesis defence, official confirmation of the fulfilment of all study requirements must be submitted.
• A list of publications, including active participation in scholarly workshops and conferences.
• A project proposal, which must include a (working) title of the dissertation, an abstract, keywords, a definition of the research field, a review of the state of research, research questions and their theoretical and methodological frameworks, a statement on the topical relevance of the subject, its interdisciplinary dimension and potential for internationalisation (including the possibility of cotutelle supervision), the address of the host institution/contact person for the intended study stay abroad, a proposed research timetable, and a selected bibliography relevant to the topic.

Project proposals shall be assessed by a committee appointed by the Chair of the Doctoral Board, with representation from all cooperating and co-supervising institutions.

The admissions procedure consists of two rounds. In the first round, the committee will evaluate the submitted application materials. In the second round, invited candidates will engage in a discussion of their project, with particular emphasis placed on their professional qualifications and the quality of the proposed research.

Date of the second round of the entrance examination: 9 June 2026 at 10:00 a.m., in the meeting room of the Department of History, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University.

Criteria for evaluation

First round:

Minimum passing score: at least 60 points out of 100 possible

• Project proposal: maximum 40 points
• Academic qualifications (publication record, language competencies): maximum 40 points
• Motivation (preparation of the project with the prospective supervisor, letter of motivation): maximum 20 points

If an applicant obtains 60 points or more, the committee recommends that the applicant proceed to the second round, consisting of an oral interview.

Second round:

Minimum passing score: at least 80 points out of 100 possible

• Project proposal: maximum 40 points
• Academic qualifications (publication record, language competencies): maximum 40 points
• Motivation: maximum 20 points

If an applicant obtains at least 80 points, the committee recommends to the Dean that the applicant be admitted to the programme. If the applicant obtains fewer than 80 points, the committee recommends non-admission.