For the general outlines of doctoral studies and requirements for a degree see General Information at

https://www.u-szeged.hu/doctoral/doctoral-studies-161201/doctoral-studies

Requirements in the School of Philosophy:

Course work is compulsory only in the first two years (four semesters) of enrollment, with 120 credits to be acquired. The number of courses is kept at the minimum, priority is given to research and individual consultation with the supervisor right from the beginning. In this period, over above compulsory course work and individual research to be supervised and certified by the supervisor, students are required to present at least two papers at international conferences and at least one article in an internationally acknowledged journal. The completion of these requirements is to be certified by the supervisor.

Course work in the first two years (training and research period) includes general courses for all students on all programs (on Metaphysics, Social Philosophy and Ethics and Philosophy of Art), a Research methodology and a Workshop course. In the final (4^th) semester, two program specific courses are to be completed on all programs.

At the end of every second semester, students are required to give an oral presentation of their research work and results (research presentation) to the research group (faculty, students). This is meant to help them to make progress in clarifying the scope and argumentation of their theses through comments from and discussion with colleagues other than their supervisors.

Applicants admitted without an MA degree in philosophy are required to take from one to three supplementary exams to be completed in the first three semesters. The number and the topic of exams are to be determined on the basis of the preliminary studies, degree(s) and accomplishments of applicants, but in general comprise the history of philosophy (Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Modernity and German Idealism, and 20^th Century Philosophy). Without the successful completion of supplementary exams, students are not eligible for enrolling for program specific courses.

At the end of the second year, students are required to take a complex examination by an appointed committee (with internal and external members), which consists of an oral examination 1) of the students’ theoretical competence based on their studies and specific field of research, and 2) of progress made toward the completion of the thesis; this includes the presentation of research results, an outline of the contents of the thesis and a schedule for its chapter by chapter elaboration. Without the successful completion of the complex examination, students are not eligible for enrolling for the research and dissertation period.

In the research and dissertation period (5^th-8^th semesters) (120 credits) course work is no longer required, students are supposed to do research, work on their theses while regularly consulting their supervisors, present papers at conferences, make further publications and, optionally, take part in teaching. Depending on previous participation at conferences and number of publications, at least one conference presentation and one paper is required.

Before submitting the thesis (not necessarily at the end of the 8^th semester), doctoral candidates are required to have published at least five essays in internationally acknowledged journals (general requirement at the Faculty of Arts).

For general regulations concerning doctoral studies, the process of submitting a thesis and its defense procedure see:

Regulations Governing the Doctoral Training Programmes and the Awarding of the Doctoral Degree

http://www.u-szeged.hu/doctoral/regulations