Fields of Study

Postgraduate doctoral studies at the Protestant Theological Faculty are offered in one of the following fields:

• Biblical Theology (guarantor Prof. Martin Prudký, Dr.);

• Historical and Systematic Theology (guarantor Prof. Martin Wernisch, Dr.);

• Practical and Ecumenical Theology and Theological Ethics (guarantor Prof. Ivana Noble, Ph.D.);

• Philosophy of Religion (guarantor Prof. Lenka Karfíková, Dr. theol.).

The programme is open to those who have graduated from a university or other institute of higher education with a master's degree in Protestant Theology (or a related discipline) and have given proof of their academic abilities. Applicants also need to have passed examinations in at least one of the languages important for European theology, other than their mother tongue (i. e. German, English, French, Italian, or Spanish).

Postgraduate doctoral studies consist of research activity leading towards a written dissertation, broadening and deepening the student's knowledge in the field of study, and mastering the techniques of academic work. Students are also required to attend certain lectures, seminars or convocations, pass an examination in a second language, write various papers, reviews, or literature searches, pass three examinations in theological disciplines, and publish articles in specialist journals. The individual study plan is worked out together with the student's supervisor. Students who fulfil these requirements, and successfully submit and defend their dissertation, are awarded the title of Ph.D. by Charles University.

The normal length of postgraduate doctoral studies is four years. The maximum duration of the studies is nine years. There are no tuition fees for students who are studying in Czech.

Tuition fees for students studying in other languages are 500 EUR per academic year.

General information on tuition fees and scholarship opportunities at Charles University is available HERE

Application procedure

Potential applicants should first contact the appropriate guarantor for the field in which they wish to write their dissertation, giving details of the topic for the dissertation and the language they will study in. The guarantor of the field will then consider if there is an appropriate person available to act as a supervisor. If so, and if possible in consultation with the prospective supervisor, the applicant should submit a written application including the following:

• on-line APPLICATION

• curriculum vitae including a detailed description of theological studies undertaken so far

• certified copy of Master's degree

• if possible recommendation from a previous academic supervisor or teacher

• an outline of the proposed dissertation project, including the topic, field, methods and aim of the research (2-3 pages)

Please read full details of the APPLICATION procedure HERE.

There are two intakes of doctoral students each year, in October and in March.

For doctoral students starting their studies on 1 October, deadlines for submitting applications are 30 April or 31 July (for supplementary admissions procedure) each year. Entrance examinations then take place in June or in September, consisting of an interview with members of the Faculty's Inter-Disciplinary Council for Postgraduate Studies, in which the applicant defends the outline of his or her proposed dissertation project.

For doctoral students starting their studies on 1 March, the deadline for submitting applications is 31 December of the previous year, with entrance examinations taking place in January.

Tuition fees for students studying in other languages and starting to study on

1 March are currently 250 EUR for the first semester of their studies,

then tuition fees are 500 EUR per academic year.

Further information

If you have further question about doctoral studies or the admissions procedure,please contact the Vice-Dean for Doctoral Studies Dr. Petr Sláma or the Administrative Officer for Doctoral Students Ms Karolína Surovcová.

Current news for PhD students

JAPANESE SYLFF SCHOLARSHIP

Charles University-ETF invites applications for the SYLFF (Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund) scholarship. This scholarship of USD 12,500 for the academic year 2023/24 is intended for full-time PhD students in the humanities, including theology, who are studying in the standard period of study (optimally in their 2nd or 3rd year).

The aim of the scholarship is to support individuals with leadership potential, research-oriented on current social issues. The scholarship includes a short stay at a foreign university.

Detailed information about the scholarship and application forms can be found here). The deadline for applications is 28 April 2023. Applications should be sent electronically to the Doctoral Officer Ms. Karolína Surovcová. Further information will be provided by the Vice-dean for Doctoral Studies Dr. Petr Sláma.