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

• come up with principal ideas for independent anthropological research
• design and carry out anthropological research
• present research outcomes in scientific literature
• prepare research project proposals including fundraising (granting agencies)
• give presentations in a foreign language at scientific anthropological conferences (orally and/or in the form of a commented poster)
• lecture a theoretical course and tutor practical courses for pre-graduate students

Graduates of the Anthropology doctoral study programme find employment in academic institutions which are oriented on anthropology, especially at universities, institutions of scientific research, in museums and other domestic and foreign institutions focusing on matters related to the biological or socio-cultural anthropology. Graduates also find employment in state administration, social/public domain and in the media.

Applicants for a doctoral degree programme select posted doctoral thesis topics, or in cooperation with their supervisor can propose a new topic. Having selected a topic, applicants enter into the admission procedure before the deadline set by the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. Applicants are then asked to sit for an admission interview before a doctoral committee. Topics regarding all of the areas of biological and socio-cultural anthropology can be discussed during the interview in the extent presented in the Anthropology Master's courses (Faculty of Science, Masaryk University). Applicants present their doctoral thesis topic along with the investigation concept and defend their position. The admission interview is conducted in English or in another world language.

The standard duration of the study amounts to four years (eight semesters). The doctoral study is governed by the rules specified in accordance with the superior rules (The Higher Education Act, MU Study and Examination Regulations and other internal regulations) by the board of the doctoral studies in biology. Each student follows a customized study plan which is specified by the supervisor with regard to the doctoral thesis topic needs and authorized by the committee for the doctoral degree in anthropology. Postgraduate students continuously perform tasks and activities towards their doctoral thesis in cooperation with and under the leadership of their supervisor (XD100 PhD Thesis), including the study of relevant literature (XD101 Literature Study). Students enrol in courses which extend their knowledge in the field above the extent of the Master's study programme, in courses which focus on specialized and profound knowledge in the field and also in specialized seminars. Students also assist their supervisors in tuition organization (both in the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes) (XD102 Teaching Assistance). If need be, students can spend part of their studies at another institution either in our country or abroad (XD103 Foreign Fellowship). The study plan is customized for the student to acquire an optimal amount of 30 ECTS credits per semester. The fulfilment of the study plan and study programme requirements is monitored upon the completion of each academic year.

Students regularly present their results at scientific conferences; to successfully complete the studies, students give at least one presentation in English (or other world language) at an international anthropological congress (XD106 Lecture in the Foreign Language). In cooperation with their supervisors, students publish partial results of their work in scientific peer-reviewed journals (XD 105 Scientific Publication Writing). To successfully complete the studies, it is required from students to publish at least one paper as the first (main) author in an IF journal (or at least to submit a confirmation that their work has been accepted for publication).

After the completion of the doctoral study programme and fulfilment of all the duties in the standard time, students submit their doctoral thesis - either in the form of monograph or as a commented collection of thematically oriented scientific papers. The thesis is assessed by two external experts appointed by the doctoral committee. Students sit for the doctoral state examination in anthropology and defend their doctoral thesis before the doctoral committee. The content of the doctoral state examination corresponds with the thematic orientation of the study programme. The extent of the examination is determined by the study programme committee with respect to the topic of the doctoral thesis.