• last 4 years
• results of your research are compiled in Ph.D. thesis
• after successful thesis defense and passing the state exam, you will be awarded a Ph.D. Degree

1. Choose your study programme from below or in our catalogue.
   • More details (e.g. admission requirements) available after clicking on particular programme.
2. Check the offer of possible topics within the chosen programme.
3. Contact the supervisor listed by the chosen topic and get his/her endorsement.
   • Either click directly on the supervisor's name or find their email by entering their name in the section 'Contacts' in the right top part of the website.
4. Only after you ger the supervisor's endorsement, you can proceed with your application.
5. Prepare the necessary documents for your application (in pdf).
   • Passport scan
   • Certified copy of your diploma + Transcript of Records
     These should be requested from the colleges/universities attended. For applicants from non-member states of the Hague Conference on International Law (see the list), the documents must be accompanied by an apostille issued by the local Czech Embassy.
   • Two signed recommendation letters (optional)
     These provide an additional source of information about professional and academic level and should be completed by employer or university professor.
   • Curriculum vitae
     Information concerning your education, work, study and research experience. Namely a description of your graduate programme, diploma thesis, published papers, honours awarded, membership in scientific societies and personal professional goals. Statement of academic goal indicating why you wish to study in a particular program.
   • English language proficiency certificate
     Certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, CPE) at least at B2 CEFR level, or a document certifying applicant's previous English language courses or studies in English.
6. The documents and admission requirements may vary according to the chosen study programme. Always follow the instructions from your supervisor.
7. Fill out your electronic application
8. In section 'Personal Data' during registration ("first name(s)", "surname"), write all your names exactly as stated in your passport/ID.
9. Choose only study programmes taught in English language (use a filter).
   • Select the thesis topic which you have agreed on with your new supervisor.
10. Upload all the necessary documents in the section 'Additional data for the application - Appendices'.
11. In order to submit the e-application, you have to pay the application fee by debit/credit card per instructions in the 'Application fee/Go to payment' (for that you do not need to have a Czech account). Without the payment, the application will not be considered.
12. Entrance examinations are usually oral (e.g. via Skype) and take place in June (date should be specified by your supervisor).

Successful applicants:

1. After successful entrance exam (results are usually in June), it is necessary to submit a certified copy of the official recognition of your diploma.
2. This needs to be done as soon as possible in order to start the visa process, which usually takes 3 - 5 months (or longer, depending on the country).
3. After receiving and assessing your diploma, you will be sent documents necessary to apply for visa.
4. You are required to arrange a health insurance for the entire time of your stay in the Czech Republic.
5. Receiving visa and arriving to the Czech Republic - ideally during September for the start of the academic year.
6. Be aware that tuition fee per academic year is required.
7. PhD scholarship is set at a min. of 24 960 CZK/month, received from enrollment until the end of the standard period of study.

Important note: It is common that the online application system opens later for doctoral programmes. The reason is that it usually takes some time before the list of available dissertation topics and supervisors is finalized. The list of available topics is expected to be published during January or February 2026.

In the meantime, you can browse the relevant department's website and contact potential supervisor directly.

For the academic year 2026/2027 the following study programmes are available:

Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences - offer of possible topics

• Botany
• Ecology
• Experimental Biology
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Zoology

Chemistry - offer of possible topics

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Nanomaterial Chemistry
• Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Earth Sciences - offer of possible topics

• Environmental and Development Studies
• Geoinformatics and Cartography
• Geological Sciences

Mathematics - offer of possible topics

• Algebra and Geometry
• Applied Mathematics
• Mathematical Analysis

Physics - offer of possible topics

• Applied Physics
• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Optics and Optoelectronics

Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc
Student Affairs Office
17. listopadu 1192/12
779 00 Olomouc
+420 585 634 010-14

Contact person for foreign doctoral students:

Waleria Kmentová
waleria.kmentova@upol.cz
+420 585 634 061
Room no. 1.005, ground floor next to the reception. Please, respect the office hours!