The basic form of Doctoral Studies of Classical Philology is individual, systematic preparation for creative scientific and scholarly work. This scholarly preparation is in the form of obligatory-optional lectures, individual consultations, autonomous preparation, and the reading of assigned original literature, including its interpretations. The concluding part of the doctoral studies is the creation of a dissertation thesis.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• systematically understanding the methodology of a particular subdiscipline of classical philology as well as its overreach into neighboring fields
• conceiving, proposing, and realizing advanced research methods and enriching classical philology with their original research
• independently engaging in the scientific process, including self-reflection
• creating an extensive work in the field of classical philology, which would contribute to broadening the horizons of knowledge
• presenting and defending the results of their research on the international forum

Doctoral studies are exclusively one-subject study programs. The length of study of all study programs is four years. Graduates of Doctoral degree study programs are awarded an internationally recognized scientific degree of philosophiæ doctor (Ph.D.). The doctoral study represents the highest degree of university education.

You can choose between:

1. Full-time study means that your study duties are spread over the working days (Mon-Fri) according to your timetable. Full-time students participate in lectures, conferences, and educational and research activities of the workplace.
2. Part-time (combined) study is more often chosen by those applicants who have other responsibilities (e.g. employment or family) that do not allow them to attend classes daily so they can "combine" work/family with studies.

A graduate of the doctoral studies of classical philology is, depending on their subdisciplinary specialization, thoroughly educated in a field of Latin or Greek linguistics, or Roman or Greek literary science, including the historiographical, linguistic, and socio-cultural contexts (based on their interest of choice, for example in the field of ancient philosophy and religion, ancient fine art, Greco-Roman history, comparative linguistics, or comparative literary science). Besides being well-read in ancient Latin or Greek texts, they perfectly understand the theoretical and methodological principles of translation of original ancient Latin or Greek writings. They have deep knowledge of their specialized subject of choice and they are equipped with theoretical and methodological prowess, which they apply during their individual, creative scientific work. They can speak at least one foreign language perfectly and are theoretically well-suited to adopt further modern foreign languages in the context of Europe, especially Romance languages or Modern Greek.

Graduates are capable of independent application in all employments, especially those related to the humanities and demanding individual and critical thinking, mainly at universities or choice high schools (after the possible expansion of teaching capabilities), at scientific institutions, or in the field of media and translation of scholarly literature. They can also find employment in humanities-oriented institutes of the Academy of Science, in archives, libraries, museums, printing houses, and even in diplomacy and the agencies of the European Union.

You do not have to come to Brno personally to take the entrance exam. The result of the admission process depends on the quality of the documents that you provide. Those will be assessed by the admission committee and you will be notified about the results via e-mail.

Eligibility Criteria

Only university graduates of Master's degree programmes of Greek and Latin philology can be admitted to the doctoral study programme (full-time or combined mode) after the admission procedure. It is recommended that you choose and contact your supervisor before sending your application. For more information, please contact prof. Daniela Urbanová urbanova@phil.muni.cz.

Terms of Admission

1. Submission of an electronic application in the Masaryk University Information System.
2. Submission of one letter of recommendation.
3. Submission of a transcript(s) of university/college studies.
4. Submission of applicant's CV in English.
5. Submission of a copy of the applicant's Master's Thesis (in English, German, Italian or Spanish). If this is not available, an English-language summary of the thesis must be provided together with a minimum twenty-page sample of the applicant's academic or scholarly writing in English, German, Italian or Spanish).
6. Submission of a doctoral research project (about 3000 words in English) by October 31st (for the expected enrollment in the Spring semester) or April 30th (for the expected enrollment in the Autumn semester).
7. Submission of a statement of motivation to pursue a doctoral degree in Classical Philology at Masaryk University (in English, German, Italian or Spanish).

The admission procedure has two rounds. Based on the quality of the project, its compliance with the research profile of the department, and the availability of a suitable supervisor, projects can be shortlisted for the second round. The second round consists of a presentation of the project in front of the admission committee, followed by a discussion and defense of the project. Based on this interview and the availability of a potential supervisor, the admission committee decides about recommending or not the admission.

Application Deadlines

1 January - 30 April for the enrollment in the Fall semester
1 June - 30 September for the enrollment in the Spring semester

Documents set out above in the Terms of Admission are required to be provided in digital form and attached to the online application by April 30th or September 30th.

Contact

admission@phil.muni.cz

Have you selected your research topic? Or do you need help to formulate your research topic?

Please get in touch with the guarantor of this program prof. Urbanová. She will connect you with your future supervisor who can help you to formulate your research proposal.

The state doctoral examination: The candidate prepares a commentary and a defense of five thematical topics. They choose these topics in collaboration with their supervisor and hand them in in written form (each approximately 3-5 pages including works cited) to the Secretariat of the DCS FA MU at least two months in advance of the scheduled examination date. These topics must not coincide with the topic of the dissertation thesis. The Field-of-Study Committee of Classical Philology has the right to decline insufficiently prepared materials and return them to be reworked. During the examination, based on the demands of the committee, the candidate will elaborate on at least two of the topics and answer supplementary questions.

Rules and conditions for creating education plans

The standard length of doctoral studies is 4 years. During this time, the doctoral student needs to acquire a total of 240 credits, 214 of which are from obligatory subjects and courses (A-type credits) and the remainder from obligatory-optional subjects and courses (B-type credits).

Based on individually organized education plans, the instruction of doctoral students is realized via philosophical preparation (provided by the Department of Philosophy), scholarly methodological preparation (under the tutelage of a supervisor, once an arrangement is made), linguistic preparation (either at the Masaryk University Language Centre, or, according to the decision of the field of study's committee and the supervisor, in the form of a foreign language report), and scholarly preparation of both a linguistic and literary focus.

During their studies, doctoral students must prepare and give a presentation on a part of their anticipated dissertation thesis at an international scientific conference, workshop, or scholarly seminar, and publish at least one scholarly study (in a foreign language) in a peer-reviewed periodical or magazine.

Among the obligatory-optional subjects, there are Special lectures I-IV, assigned by the education plan and chosen by the doctoral student, given the approval of their supervisor.

Tuition fee: € 2,500/academic year (degree program taught in English).

Students who require a visa and who are denied one will be refunded 90 % of the tuition fee only if they send us confirmation that their visa was denied. The money will be returned by bank transfer only.

All students of this program are entitled to study two semesters of Czech for foreigners free of charge. It is not obligatory but it might be handy.

Get to know your future department.

Have you selected your research topic? Or do you need help to formulate your research topic?

Please get in touch with prof. Urbanová. She will connect you with your future supervisor who can help you to formulate your research proposal.

If you have any questions regarding the application and admission procedures or the tuition fees, please contact us at admission@phil.muni.cz.

However, if you would like to know more about what is it like to study at Masaryk University, how is the life of a student at the Faculty of Arts or if you have some questions that require personal experience, we have a solution for you as well! You can contact our student ambassadors at ambassador@phil.muni.cz