Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Course Overview

PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a doctorate degree conferred by several universities around the world. Universities in Poland grant PhD degrees in a wide variety of programmes in the sciences (e.g., biology, physics, mathematics, and so on) and humanities (e.g., history, English literature, musicology, etc.). A student must have a Master's Degree with high academic grades to pursue studies for a PhD programme and obtain a doctorate degree. A PhD degree is required for employment as a university professor or researcher in a variety of fields. In the final months of the course, a PhD or doctoral candidate must apply for a project or thesis containing original academic study. A doctoral student who completes his PhD programme receives the academic title of professor.

PhD Study in Poland

Poland is a vital social, cultural, historical, and academic centre in Central Europe, with a university system that reflects this heritage. A PhD in Poland is a globally recognised doctorate that includes formal preparation and growth. Fees are minimal, and PhD students are at the cutting edge of a rapidly expanding university system.

The options for foreign PhD research in Poland, including details on colleges, tuition, and scholarships.

Opportunities

Poland has one of the world's oldest higher education programmes, with a long tradition of notable artists, singers, authors, and scientists. Fryderyk Chopin, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, Nicolaus Copernicus, Joseph Conrad, Lech Wałęsa, and Warner Bros are possibly names you've heard of. But did you know they're all from Poland?

Poland, a nation that gained independence just recently, is on the rise, with a thriving economy and community. These advancements can be seen in the country's education system: Polish universities have some of the most students in Europe – and that number is growing.

Studying for a PhD in Poland will enable you to earn a globally recognised degree while still becoming a part of a growing university system.

• European carrefour – Poland is located in the centre of Europe, is strongly international and cosmopolitan, and has good connections to major cities in the continent.
• Heritage – The university system in Poland goes back to the 14th century and contains some of Europe's oldest institutions.
• Affordable cost – In comparison to other European countries, the cost of living in Poland is low, and tuition fees are competitively priced.
• Modern Development – The Polish education system (and country) is rapidly expanding, and it now has one of the continent's largest student populations.
• Folklore - Poland is a centre with rich artistic and cultural making it an ideal place for student life.

Polish University ranking

Following the country's pre-independence, Poland's higher education system is in a state of growth. Despite this, Polish universities are included in all major global rankings.

Acknowledgement

Individual universities are in charge of creating and approving their own doctoral programmes.

Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) currently oversees the awarding of degrees by all Polish higher education institutions. As a result, a PhD can only be granted if the institution follows stringent requirements. This requires a minimum number of workers with recognised research outputs as well as a minimum student-to-supervisor ratio. This means that high-quality research instruction is provided by established academic experts.

PhD structure

Doctoral programmes in Poland are structured in line with the Bologna Process and are equivalent to the majority of foreign PhDs (including the UK). To promote foreign trade and qualification recognition, many Polish universities use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Check your institution's PhD curricula to see if they use the ECTS.

PhD organisation

Doctoral programmes in Poland are structured in line with the Bologna Process and are equivalent to the majority of foreign PhDs (including the UK). To promote foreign trade and qualification recognition, many Polish universities use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Check your institution's PhD curricula to see if they use the ECTS.

PhD duration

Full-time (Studia stacjonarne) doctoral programmes typically last three to four years; they often last the entire four years.

Part-time PhD studies are also an option (Studia niestacjonarne). This type of study is often accompanied by an additional tuition fee. The length and regulations of these degrees will vary depending on the university and research area you wish to attend.

Monitoring

Each PhD student will be assigned an academic advisor. This supervisor must be a specialist in their profession and have shown satisfactory academic performance over the last five years.

Your supervisor will keep track of your progress, provide direction, advise on aspects of research operation such as publication and conference attendance, and help you write your doctoral thesis. Before submitting your thesis, it must be accepted by your supervisor.

Syllabus for study

PhD programmes in Poland are frequently more formal than those in other countries. In addition to your thesis, they typically include several mandatory training elements, creating a curriculum that must be completed to complete your doctoral programme. These are general requirements; the particular training you will need to undergo will be defined by the Doctoral Study Regulations of your prospective university

PhD students may also participate in up to 60 hours of formal instruction, which is typically for undergraduates at your university. Your boss or another professional instructor will watch and evaluate how you conduct these classes.

You will also be required to attend taught classes (both in a general subject and specialised discipline). These courses will be a mix of mandatory, elective, and advanced training. They frequently provide instruction in a modern foreign language. You will be tested through coursework and/or doctoral exams if you complete a minimum number of hours of this teaching.

As a doctoral student in Poland, you will also be asked to submit annual research progress reports.

Evaluation and assessment

To be awarded a doctorate in Poland, you must:

• Complete all doctoral exams and other criteria as part of the study programme.
• Please submit a doctoral thesis.
• Make a public defence of your doctoral thesis.

The doctoral thesis defence is the equivalent of a viva voce analysis in the United Kingdom. You will be evaluated by an interview committee, which will include testers and your doctoral supervisor.

This evaluation is a public defence – it is revealed with a study report and feedback, and everyone is welcome to attend. You will show the study to the community and answer questions from critics and members of the general public.

Financing and fees

In Poland, there are no tuition fees for doctoral studies. Instead, all PhD candidates are eligible for a scholarship. Both are measured concerning a professor's salary.

The sum of the scholarship will be determined by where you are in your studies. You will receive a minimum of 37 per cent of a professor's salary before the mid-term assessment (conducted halfway through your studies). The scholarship would be increased to 57 per cent if the assessment is successful. Some colleges will also include additional financial incentives to high-achieving students.

PhD Financing in Poland

Doctoral students in Poland are eligible for a variety of extra financial aid to help finance their studies. Additional funding is typically awarded based on merit and/or financial need.

There are many opportunities for PhD applicants, several of which are open to international students. The most popular of these are bilateral agreements between the Polish government and the government of the PhD candidate's home country. Here are some examples:

Erasmus+  – open to students from the EU (and non-EU partner countries), can provide travel/maintenance grants and tuition fee waivers.

CEEPUS - is a Central European exchange programme that supports joint PhD programmes and maintenance grants.

Fulbright Programme – provides grants and assistance to US students studying in Poland (and vice versa)

Visegrad Scholarship Programme  – financial assistance for students from ‘Visegrad' countries in Eastern Europe.

More information on these bilateral scholarship arrangements is available from the Polish  National Agency for Academic Exchange.

Other types of financial assistance can be available from your prospective Polish universities, such as maintenance grants, aid payments, achievement scholarships, meal grants, housing grants, and disability grants.