Guide for the new
incoming doctoral
students at the FF MU
muni
arts
44888successful graduates in 103 years
1921teaching commenced at the FF MU
446currently studying Doctoral degree programmes
36Doctoral degree programmes
1academic community
TRADITION
We are one of the founding faculties of Masaryk University.
We share its democratic values.
MODERNITY
We use innovative methods in science and education. We have
a modern outlook on research in humanities and social sciences.
DIALOGUE
We cooperate across disciplines, institutions, cultures
and contribute to public debate.
KNOWLEDGE
We develop a thirst for knowledge, teach critical thinking
and an understanding of the contemporary world.
DISCLAIMER: Our Faculty is very diverse and so are the Doctoral
studies. Moreover, it is currently undergoing many reforms. This
guide will give you a basic overview, but always ask your supervisor
for detailed information or contact the Office for Studies.
doc. PhDr. Iva Burešová, Ph.D.
Vice-Dean for Studies in Doctoral Programmes and
Quality of Degree Programmes
Foreword
Dear colleague,
It is an honour to welcome you at the beginning of your journey towards an
academic career — a great opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and
expertise at one of the founding faculties of Masaryk University.
By joining the PhD programme, you assume a significant amount of responsibility
for the planning and progress of your studies, which requires a high
degree of independence, discipline and perseverance. You will undoubtedly
face many challenges over the next few years - but each of these will present
an opportunity to grow and gain valuable experience relevant to preparing you
well for your future career in academia, research, or applied practice.
Our faculty will support you with respect for your individual research
needs, but the main responsibility for the extent to which you realize your
potential remains with you. Therefore, make the most of the expertise of your
supervisors, opportunities to consult with other members of the academia and
with practitioners, access to state-of-the-art research facilities and libraries,
a wide range of development courses, and all the other resources that the
Faculty and the University have to offer. Get actively involved in academic life
and look for a source of inspiration and support when networking with your
colleagues nationally and internationally. Be open to new ideas and look for
interdisciplinary collaboration. Only in this way will you be able to contribute to
the development of scientific knowledge in your fields.
I am convinced that your scientific endeavours and their results will enrich
not only yourself, but also our academic community and ultimately society
as a whole. Therefore, on behalf of the academic staff of the Faculty of Arts,
I look forward to our mutual cooperation and wish you a successful entry into
doctoral studies.
What is waiting for you
Doctoral studies content
—	 the fulfilment of compulsory, selective and elective courses
—	 Doctoral Thesis preparation
—	 participation in conferences
—	 preparation of professional publications
—	 internship(s) abroad
—	 participation in teaching Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
—	 world language exam
—	 Doctoral State Examination and Doctoral Thesis defence
—	 possibly other specific requirements related to the focus of the
Doctoral degree programme
TIP: You can find specific information about your obligations in
the Programmes Catalogue of the MU Information System or on
the website of the department where you are studying. If you are
unsure please do not hesitate to contact your supervisor.
Who‘s who and what‘s what
Glossary of basic terms
Supervisor
The supervisor will be a key person for you. They will work with you
on the assignment and elaboration of your dissertation project and
support you in acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge. They will
also involve you in the research team and introduce you to the rules of
scientific work, the presentation of results and publishing activities.
Doctoral Board
For each Doctoral degree programme there is a Doctoral Board that
monitors, evaluates studies and guarantees their consistently high
standard. It is headed by a chairperson. The chairperson of the Doctoral
Board is also the guarantor of the Doctoral degree programme. This
person is responsible for the quality of the degree programme content
and evaluates and develops it further.
TIP: You can find the composition of the Doctoral Board and the
guarantor of your degree programme in the Programmes Catalogue
of the MU Information System (IS).
Office for Studies
The Office for Studies will be in charge of the administrative side of
your studies. Depending on your degree programme, you will be assigned
a specific study officer. You will contact this person if you have
any questions or requests, most often by e-mail at phd@phil.muni.cz.
If you want to arrange a personal consultation, you can find the office
hours of your study officer on phil.muni.cz/studijni.
TIP: Use the university e-mail in the IS for all communications, write
in a formal manner and address people by their correct academic
degrees. Check your IS e-mail box regularly.
ATTENTION! If you are interested in study stays abroad or foreign
traineeship, contact the FF MU International Relations Office instead
of the Office for Studies.
IS
The IS or Information System of Masaryk University will be used for
all the administrative agenda related to your studies. You will be able
to register for courses, complete your individual study plan and report
on your publishing activities. You can find it at is.muni.cz and log in by
using your UIN (university ID number) and primary password.
Individual study plan
In your individual study plan, you will determine at the beginning of
your studies how you will proceed with your dissertation research and
the fulfilment of your individual study obligations. You will prepare it
in a short version in paper form, which you will submit to the Office
for Studies, and then electronically in the relevant IS application. You
will specify the outline plan in the IS before each semester and set the
so-called semester load. You will always evaluate how you managed
to meet it at the end of each semester. Everything will be commented
on, continuously evaluated and approved by your supervisor and the
Doctoral Board.
What need to be done at the beginning
of your studies
Enrolment in studies
The moment you receive the decision on admission to the Doctoral
degree programme you become eligible for enrolment in studies and
for the first semester. You will receive information about the date and
process of enrolment in your e-application. It will be sent to you by the
Office for Studies and can also be found on the Faculty’s website. You
will only become a student once you have enrolled.
ATTENTION! Failure to enrol by the deadline, will terminate your
enrolment unless you provide evidence of a serious reason for your
failure to enrol within five working days of the deadline.
Complete an individual study plan
for Doctoral studies
Study in Doctoral degree programmes at MU is conducted in accordance
with an approved individual study plan. This is binding on the
student and its fulfilment is mandatory.
1) Printed Brief study plan
You will only hand in the paper version of the study plan once, at the
beginning of your studies. There is a special form for this purpose, in
which you indicate the research focus of your dissertation.
The form will then be submitted to the Office for Studies no later than
two months after enrolment, after approval by the supervisor and the
chairperson of the Doctoral Board. This can be in written form or as
a scan sent to phd@phil.muni.cz.
ATTENTION! Failure to submit the study plan by the due date may
be grounds for termination of studies.
The form for the Brief doctoral study plan
can be found at is.muni.cz/go/formulare-ds-ff.
2) Electronic study plan – plan of the entire study
The study plan must also be entered into the IS (Student > Start/End
of Term > Doctoral Studies Individual Study Plan).
In the electronic study plan in the IS, you will elaborate more on the
direction of your research, and planned activities during your studies
(e.g. conferences, internships, studz visits). If anything else needs to be
added, the supervisor will bring it to your attention.
The full study plan must be completed in the IS and approved by the
supervisor and the Doctoral Board no later than the end of the second
semester of the study.
TIP: You can update your plan each semester if there are changes
to it during your studies.
3) Electronic study plan – semester load
In addition to the plan for the entire study, you will detail for each semester
what you are currently planning to do. Your proposed semester
plan is approved by the supervisor and they may also comment it.
At the end of the semester, you will fill in your own feedback on the
work you have done during the semester. This will be commented on
by your supervisor and at least once a year by the Doctoral Board.
The specific deadlines for this can be found for each semester directly
in the IS. They are outlined as follows:
Autumn Spring
Student‘s proposal 1. 6. – 20. 9. 1. 1. – 20. 2.
Approval by the supervisor 15. 6. – 30. 9. 15. 1. – 29. 2.
Student‘s feedback 1. 12. – 31. 1. 1. 5. – 31. 8.
Evaluation by supervisor 15. 12. – 15. 2. 15. 5. – 15. 9.
Evaluation by Board Anytime Anytime
ATTENTION! Failure to fulfil the ISP may result in termination
of your studies.
Detailed information on the individual study plan in the IS
can be found at is.muni.cz/auth/go/isp-phd.
Get a smart card
The ISIC (or full-time/combined study card) is the basic identification
card required for all students at Masaryk University. It not only serves
as an ID card, but also as a smart card for entering rooms and for identification
in canteens, libraries, for printing, copying, etc. If you do not
have a card issued from a previous course at MU, it is necessary:
1.	 to have your photo taken or upload to the system as instructed,
2.	 to pay for the selected card type via the MU Business Centre and
inform the officer for studies of the payment,
3.	 to pick up your card at the Office for Studies approximately 14 days
after payment is credited to your order at the MU Business Center.
TIP: If you study full-time, you can choose between a regular student
card and an ISIC. The latter is more expensive, but it is internationally
recognised and you can get student discounts on it.
Detailed information about the smart cards
can be found at muni.cz/en/students/student-identity-cards.
Attend training
In addition to the fire protection and occupational health and safety
training that is compulsory by law, you are also obliged to complete the
Freshers course. Both electronically in IS. If you are also taking up employment
at the same time (e.g. on a research project), you should also
be prepared for further trainings and familiarisation with regulations.
Set up your account number
for scholarship payments
The scholarship at MU is paid exclusively by account transfer to a bank
account held with a Czech bank. The account number must be filled in
in the IS (Scholarships > Set the account number).
TIP: We also recommend filling in the account number for those
who will not receive a monthly doctoral scholarship. These students
may also receive various other exceptional scholarships.
What to expect in the next semesters
Request to enrol in a semester
Before the start of each semester (except the first semester), you must
submit an electronic application for enrolment in the IS for the next
semester, otherwise you will not be enrolled, even if you meet the
enrolment requirements. You will be entitled to enrol in the following
semester of the Doctoral degree programme if:
1.	 you meet the credit requirement for the semester (usually 20 credits
in the current semester or 45 credits in the current and previous
semesters combined, for other calculation options consult the IS),
2.	 successfully complete all repeated courses in the current semester,
3.	 you do not exceed the maximum duration of the Doctoral degree
programme (8 years),
4.	 you are fulfilling your individual study plan, i.e. you have the supervisor’s
approval to proceed to the next semester (granted electronically
in the IS in the Doctoral Studies Individual Study Plan and Its
Evaluation application).
Complete feedback and semester load
for the next semester
At the end of each semester be sure to complete the feedback form for
the semester assignment you have set before the semester began. In it
you will assess how you have managed to fulfil your plans, or indicate
what has changed and why. Your supervisor will then comment on your
feedback.
At the same time plan your semester load for the next semester.
You can find specific dates when it is possible to fill in the semester
load and its evaluation for each semester directly in the IS in the Doctoral
Studies Individual Study Plan and Its Evaluation application.
TIP: When filling in the semester load, make sure you have the correct
period selected in the IS (in the top right corner).
Detailed information on the individual study plan in the IS
can be found at is.muni.cz/auth/go/isp-phd.
What to expect at the end of studies
Final exam and dissertation defence
The Doctoral State Examination and the Doctoral Thesis defence may
or may not take place at the same time. It depends on the choice of the
specific study programme. In any case, it is necessary to register for
both in advance not only by enrolling the relevant course in the IS
MU, but also by submitting an application to the Office for Studies.
For the defence in the spring semester (or by the end of September),
the Doctoral Thesis, including the application for the defence and all
required attachments, must be submitted no later than 31 January.
The deadline for the defence in the autumn semester (or by the end of
February) is 31 August. However, they can be submitted continuously.
ATTENTION! The Doctoral Thesis, including the application for the
doctoral examination and defence, must be submitted at least one
semester before the maximum study period expires.
Before submitting your Doctoral Thesis electronically, ask the Office
for Studies to open the Doctoral Thesis Archive by e-mail sent directly
from the IS. At the same time, please provide the final title of the thesis
in the language of the thesis and in English.
Completion of studies
By successfully passing the Doctoral State Examination and defending
your Doctoral Thesis, you will complete your Doctoral studies and
obtain a Doctoral degree, abbreviated as Ph.D., indicated after your
name.
As proof of successful completion of your studies, you will receive
a university diploma and a diploma supplement (issued in Czech in the
Czech programme, and in English in the foreign language programme).
Your studies may also be terminated by loss of the enrolment entitlement,
dropping out, expulsion, or withdrawal or termination of programme
accreditation. On the date of completion or termination of
studies, you cease to be a MU student.
What else might you be interested in
To whom the monthly doctoral scholarship is paid?
It is paid monthly in non-cash only to full-time students in programmes
accredited in the Czech language. Another condition is not to exceed
the standard period of study, after counting all periods of previous unsuccessful
studies in Doctoral degree programmes.
TIP: In addition to the standard scholarship, you have the opportunity
to apply for scholarships announced under other scholarship
programmes (e.g. scholarships to support publishing activities,
support for international mobility of students in Doctoral degree
programmes, etc.).
For more information on the scholarships, please visit
phil.muni.cz/studijni/stipendia and switch into English.
How many credits do I need to earn?
The minimum credit value of the study, which determines the number
of credits required for successful completion of the study, is 240 credits
for four-year Doctoral degree programmes.
What is the length of a Doctoral degree programme?
The standard duration of Doctoral studies at the FF MU is 4 years. In
case of serious reasons, it may be extended up to a maximum of twice
as long. This period does not include interruptions of studies for serious
health reasons or for reasons of maternity or parental leave.
How does interruption of studies work?
You can always apply for interruption of your studies during the examination
period, or at the beginning of the semester during the period
of enrolment changes, if you have already fulfilled the conditions for
advancement to the next semester. You can interrupt your studies for
a maximum of 4 years in total.
Can I/do I need to go on study stay or traineeship abroad?
As part of your doctoral studies, you are obliged to complete a foreign
internship of a cumulative duration of at least one month. A placement
abroad allows you to expand your language skills and increases your
chances of success with employers in an international environment.
Don’t underestimate its preparation and administration: we recommend
planning your trip at least a year in advance. You should also
study well the formalities of its registration and recognition of the
relevant subjects. The International Office can advise you on anything
you need.
TIP: Take advantage of the opportunity to improve your knowledge
of foreign languages for free as part of your study. You can choose
from the offer of the MU Language Centre, the FF MU Language
School or courses within philological fields of study.
Instructions on how to record your stay and the current offer of
internships and summer schools abroad can be found
at studuji.phil.muni.cz/en/going-abroad/for-phd-students
or czs.muni.cz. For language courses, please visit
cjv.muni.cz or jazykovka.phil.muni.cz.
What is a “cotutelle”?
The supervision of the dissertation is provided by two supervisors: one
from the FF MU and one from the foreign institution where the student
is completing the agreed part of his/her studies. The study, the doctoral
examination and the defence are ensured so that the graduate
receives both the MU diploma and the diploma issued by the partner
institution. For more information, please contact the Office for Studies.
Can/do I have to teach during my Doctoral studies?
Some degree programmes may have teaching as a compulsory part
of the study plan, while in others it may be a voluntary activity. You
can participate in the supervisor’s teaching or you can offer your own
elective course, for example on your Doctoral Thesis research topic, in
consultation with your supervisor.
TIP: Within your Doctoral studies, you can also take advantage of
MU Competence Development Centre courses, which includes the
development of pedagogical skills or soft skills in general.
Watch the workshop offer on cerpek.muni.cz.
Where can I study and work, print, copy and scan?
Most departments offer their doctoral students shared workstations
in separate offices or in their sub-departmental libraries. Often there is
also a printer, or photocopier with scanner available. A Central Library
with fully equipped study rooms can be used on the Faculty campus.
You can print or copy there by charging your SUPO account using your
ISIC card. You can also use the Group Study Rooms (again, using your
ISIC) or the Reading Room, or any other area at MU.
For an overview of all the Computer Study Rooms,
please visit it.muni.cz/en/services/pc-rooms.
TIP 1: The Central Library offers many other interesting services,
ranging from lending board games to 3D printing. Among these,
you might find the classes and workshops particularly useful.
TIP 2: You can connect to the Eduroam wifi network in almost all
areas of Masaryk University, as well as anywhere else in the world.
TIP 3: If you have children and need to work, you can use the services
of the Children’s corner at the Faculty of Social Studies.
For more information about Library services,
please visit knihovna.phil.muni.cz.
For instructions on connecting to wifi,
see it.muni.cz/en/services/wireless-wi-fi-connection.
For information about the operation of the Children’s corner,
follow facebook.com/detkofss.
What resources and software can I use?
The collections of all the university libraries are available to you, including
subscription-based electronic resources. All MU students and
staff are automatically given access to MS Office 365 and other useful
software that can be downloaded and installed on their devices.
You can search the collections of all university libraries
at katalog.muni.cz.
An overview of el. resources can be found at ezdroje.muni.cz.
For software see it.muni.cz/en/category/software.
Can I submit my own research project?
Of course, it is possible. Take a look at the range of grant schemes on
offer, and if something interests you, discuss the possibility of submitting
a project with your supervisor.
How to socialise and make contacts?
You can get involved in one of the many student clubs (you might be
particularly interested in the Society of PhD Students FF MU, which
manages, among others, the faculty Facebook group) at the Faculty or
in the Faculty self-administration within the Student Chamber of the FF
MU Academic Senate. You can get to know your colleagues across the
University at the MUNI PhD Day or the PhD summer school.
TIP: You can also take advantage of participation in professional
conferences or scientific social networks (ResearchGate, Academia.edu,
etc.) to gain contacts.
You can join the faculty Facebook group of PhD students via
facebook.com/groups/phdspolekffmu.
A similar university-wide group can be found via
is.muni.cz/go/muniphd.
An overview of all stud. clubs can be found at spolky.muni.cz.
For information about the Academic Senate,
please visit phil.muni.cz/senat.
Follow the development activities within the MUNI PhD Academia
at is.muni.cz/go/muni-phd-academia.
What does it mean that I have to report publications (to RIV)?
If you produce a scientific result as part of your research activities at
the University, record it in the Publications application in the IS MU.
If it is a result of greater importance (scientific article, chapter in a scientific
book, etc.) or a result funded by a national project, you need to
check the option Transfer the publication/outcome/record to the RIV
database. The records marked in this way are transferred once a year
to the national Register of Information on Results (RIV), which is used
by all research organisations in the Czech Republic and the data in it
are used for the national evaluation of science. Your supervisor or the
RIV guarantor at your department will explain how to report publica-
FINAL TIP: All necessary information and useful links, including
other current offers of internships, educational events and more,
can be found in the PhD student section of the Employee Portal.
The portal can be found at portal.muni.cz.
tions correctly. You can also take advantage of lessons or consultations
of the Central Library.
More information on publications and their reporting
can be found at knihovna.phil.muni.cz/riv.
Where to find information,
advice and help
Communicate with your supervisor at all times. Read the information
on the website and in the IS. Look in the study regulations and if you
do not know how to proceed in a particular matter the Office for Studies
can help you. You can also contact the chairperson of the Doctoral
Board of your degree programme if you have major difficulties. You can
also take advantage of psychological help or MU Career Centre. If you
have any special needs, the Teiresias Centre can help you. There is
also an ombudsman at the university.
The Faculty’s website can be found at phil.muni.cz.
Follow also the special information channel in MS Teams
at is.muni.cz/go/phd_arts.
Read the Study and Examination Regulations
at is.muni.cz/go/study-regulations.
The office hours, contacts of the Office for Studies and other
necessary information can be found at phil.muni.cz/studijni.
MU Students’ Advisory Centre services including psychological
counselling or sexual harrasment problems resolution can be
found at muni.cz/en/students.
The MU Career Centre has its own website at kariera.muni.cz.
More about Teiresias Centre can be found at teiresias.muni.cz.
Information on rights protection can be found at muni.cz/en/
about-us/protection-of-rights.
muni
arts
Prepared: Klára Harvánková and Tomáš Weissar
Issued in August 2024.w.phil.muni.cz/hraward
These activities are supported by the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education in frame of the project
“Development of Human Resources and other strategic areas to support research at MU (HR4MUII)“,
nr. CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18_054/0014703.