Basic information on Doctoral School

The main goal of our Doctoral School is to train essential skills and aptitude to prepare PhD students to conduct high-profile research at academic institutions, research centres, and industries. The PhD degree is awarded upon the completion of the Doctoral School Program, which lasts four years. The PhD students work towards their thesis, namely a research project that involves an innovative solution to a well-defined scientific problem. Every PhD student selects a supervisor from the list of WUST professors who guides the young researcher in their work and supports them in developing their own scientific profile. Apart from the work on the thesis, the Doctoral Programs provide general and thorough research training as well as training in the area of teaching, totalling 390 hours of courses and 240 hours of teaching to be delivered by the participants.

The PhD student must be assigned to one of scientific disciplines (fields). The following disciplines are offered in the Doctoral School:

1. Architecture and urban planning
2. Control, electronic and electrical engineering
3. Information and communication technology
4. Biomedical engineering
5. Chemical engineering
6. Civil engineering and transport
7. Mechanical engineering
8. Environmental engineering, mining, and energy
9. Mathematics
10. Chemical sciences
11. Physical sciences
12. Management and quality studies

To define the scope of the research project please contact a potential PhD supervisor at WUST or conctact directly the Doctoral School at DoctoralSchool@pwr.edu.pl.

Every PhD student prepares an individual study program formulated together with the PhD thesis supervisor. Obligatory courses are as follows:

• Recent research trends in discipline  (30 hours).
• Research skills  (30 hours).
• Ethical and legal aspects of scientific activity (15 hours).
• Higher education didactics course (45 hours).
• Seminars (60 hours, 4x15).
• Acedemic English (60 hours, 2x30).
• Elective courses: basic science courses, specialized courses, or humanities courses (in total 60 hours).

The PhD student chooses courses from the list of available courses proposed by the Doctoral School. Obligatory courses are offered in English. Moreover, the PhD student can attend other courses (e.g. a course offered under a second degree (MSc) program delivered in English at WUST) as well as training programs, winter and summer PhD schools etc.

In mid-program, i.e. after two years, every PhD student has a mid-term evaluation performed by a committee comprising at least one external evaluator. The main objective of the mid-term evaluation is to validate the work done by the student in the first two years as well to review their plans for the next two years. A positive result of the mid-term evaluation is a necessary condition for the student to continue studying at the Doctoral School.

Participation in the Doctoral School of WUST is free of charge. According to Polish regulations, all PhD students accepted to the Doctoral School will receive scholarships in the amount consistent with Polish law:

• 2,371 PLN gross (2,104 PLN net) per month in the first period of studying (1st and 2nd year).
• 3,653 PLN gross (3,242 PLN net) per month in the second period of studying (3rd and 4th year) after obtaining a positive mid-term evaluation after 2 years of studying.

The academic year in Poland consists of the winter semester (October to February), the summer semester (February to June), and the periods during which no courses are held: Christmas, winter break (February), and Easter and summer holidays. Each semester comprises 15 weeks of instruction, followed by an examination period. PhD degree programs at the Doctoral School last 4 years (with possible extension of up to 2 years).

Deadlines are available here!

Every candidate admitted to the Doctoral School of Wrocław University of Science and Technology will receive a PhD scholarship for the entire 4-year period of education:

• 2,371 PLN gross (2,104 PLN net) per month in the first period of studying (1st and 2nd year).
• 3,653 PLN gross (3,242 PLN net) per month in the second period of studying (3rd and 4th year) after obtaining a positive mid-term evaluation after 2 years of studying.

PhD scholarships are tax-free, but subject to social insurance contributions.

If you are a citizen of a country within the EU, EEA or Schengen Area you will not need a visa in order to enter Poland, but may need to apply for a residence permit in order to remain in the country longer than 90 days. Citizens of other countries will usually need to contact a Polish Embassy or Consulate in their home country and apply for a student visa in advance. This will entitle you to remain in Poland for up to three months. The visa can be extended by applying to a local administrative centre (a 'Voivodeship Office') within the country.

All foreign students in Poland require some form of health insurance. Citizens of the EU and EEA may be covered by a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Others may purchase insurance from the Polish National Health Fund for 40 PLN (ca. 10 EUR) per month.