Planning and completing doctoral studies
This page refers to the main requirements for individual plan, progress review and doctoral candidate, as well as links to guidelines and document forms.
< Back to Doctoral Studies Main Page
The individual plan is the doctoral student's research and study plan for the entire period of study. A period plan is a part of the individual plan, in which the specified plan of studies and research is agreed upon for the following progress review period. The individual plan is compiled in cooperation with the supervisor(s).
The individual plan for the whole period of doctoral studies is submitted together with the first progress review report of the first year.
The period plan of the first semester must be entered to the Study Information System within 30 days after matriculation. The doctoral student submits the following period plans together with each progress review report.
Competencies self-analysis
For learners in programmes opened from 2022/2023
As an appendix to the individual plan, a learner in doctoral studies must present a competencies self-analysis, a tool for planning the learner’s activities. The self-analysis must be submitted for the progress review of the first semester. Like the individual plan, the self-analysis is compiled by the learner in cooperation with the supervisor.
During the progress review, the progress of learners in doctoral programmes opened from 2022/2023 is evaluated based on outcomes (not in credit points). Besides research, the progress review committee also considers the acquisition of transferable skills that contribute to meeting the learning outcomes. This is why an overview of plans and development throughout the doctoral studies period is essential for both the progress review committee and the learner in doctoral studies. The pre-filled form, which can be completed cumulatively, will be taken as a basis for future progress reviews.
RPL in doctoral studies
For learners in programmes opened from 2022/2023
For learners in doctoral programmes opened from 2022/2023, RPL is no longer applied in the traditional way.
For recognition of prior learning and professional experience, the learner should present the learning outcomes recognition form. The application is coordinated with the representative of the specialisation of the doctoral programme and submitted with the competencies self-analysis for the second-semester progress review of the first year.
Based on prior learning and work experience, it is possible to consider specific competencies as acquired to the extent that they do not need to be focused on during the studies. The recognition of prior learning and work experience does not reduce the required volume of studies and research in the programme but allows for a greater focus on the acquisition or enhancement of other skills and knowledge.
Exceptions are doctoral students studying under a joint supervision agreement in two universities or matriculated to a vacant student place, as well as persons applying for the status of an external student. In such cases, it is possible to reduce the programme’s volume of studies and research by recognising prior learning and work experience.
At the progress review the review committee assesses the doctoral student's progress in research and studies based on their programme and fulfilment of the individual plan.
First year doctoral students are reviewed twice: one semester after matriculation and two semesters after matriculation. From the second year onward, the progress of the doctoral student is reviewed once per academic year, two semesters after the last progress review.
Detailed rules and guidelines for applying for a doctoral degree are available in the web version of the Regulations for Doctoral Studies.
