Study programme in English

The Faculty of Business and Economics of Mendel University has the following doctoral study programme

Economics and management

Applied Statistics and Operations Research

Finance

Nature of doctoral studies 

Doctoral study programmes represent the highest level in the hierarchy of university education, which can be reached by completing first the bachelor’s and then the master’s course. In contrast to Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, doctoral studies are not only based on the study of specialist areas but also on the implementation of creative activities and active participation in the international research community through co-authorship, participation in projects or presentations at renowned international scientific conferences.

The aim of doctoral courses is primarily scientific preparation of the student supported by their professional training in a relatively narrowly specialised field. The content of the study is based on the recommended curriculum of the doctoral study programme and, above all, on the individual study plan (hereinafter referred to as “ISP”) of each student. The ISP defines the student’s minimum study obligations, especially in the area of creative activities and involvement in the international research community, based on the individual student’s prerequisites. 

  • full-time: the student regularly attends their training workplace according to the instructions of the supervisor and the head of the training workplace and actively participates in the processes taking place at this workplace, especially creative and project activities. In addition to fulfilling the obligations arising from their study plan (participation in organised teaching and other organised events), he/she is usually entrusted with activities related to teaching. A full-time student is awarded a monthly stipend during the course of their studies.
  • combined: the student is not obliged to attend the training centre regularly, but he/she participates in organised teaching, consultation and other events related to the fulfilment of the study plan in accordance with the instructions of the supervisor and the ISP. The degree of involvement of full-time and combined students in creative activities and international activities is the same. 

You can apply for a change of study form in the UIS – Contact Centre 034_Z: Request for a change of the form of my studies

The standard period of study in doctoral degree programmes at PEF MENDELU is three or four years depending on the chosen study programme.

  1. In the first years of the doctoral studies, the student passes the Commission Examinations, presents and defends the individual stages of the dissertation thesis development, publicly publishes the results of their scientific work and gains the necessary experience in the implementation of international activities and cooperation.
  2. In the last year, the student is mainly focused on completing the dissertation thesis using the results of their own research, passing the state doctoral exam and defending the dissertation thesis.
  3. After a successful defence, the graduate receives the academic title “Doctor”, abbreviated as Ph.D. after their name. 

The study content of doctoral study programmes is based on:

  • compulsory courses,
  • compulsory elective courses,
  • optional courses.

The individual subjects are focused on professional knowledge, creative activities, international activities, project activities, pedagogical activities, and the dissertation thesis in its various stages of preparation. Studies are organised by year and a credit system is usually in place. 

The student is required to obtain a minimum of 180 credits for three-year study programmes and 240 credits for four-year study programmes and to successfully complete all required courses. A minimum of 20 credits is required for enrolment to the next year unless a minimum of 150 credits has already been achieved overall. The student enrols in courses to achieve the fulfilment of all requirements set by the degree program and its ISP. In order to successfully fulfil the study plan, it is necessary to fulfil the obligations set out in the Study and Examination Regulations of Mendel University in Brno. The study is properly completed after fulfilling all study requirements, including successful completion of the State Doctoral Exam and the defence of the dissertation thesis.  

Interruption of studies

A student’s studies may be interrupted at their request for serious reasons specified in the Study and Examination Regulations of Mendel University in Brno or ex officio. The decision to interrupt studies is made by the Dean on the basis of the opinion of the supervisor and the chair of the departmental board. The maximum study period is set at twice the standard study period set by the study programme. If the student does not complete the study properly within the maximum study period, the study ends. A student may only take action and fulfil their study obligations during the period when he/she is a student, not during the period of interruption of studies. Publications that are published during the period of interruption of studies may be accepted. 

The basic duties of a student include the following: 

  • to enrol in studies and each subsequent year,  
  • cooperate with the supervisor in the preparation of the ISP,  
  • continuously fulfil the obligations arising from the ISP, 
  • to keep regular records of their studies in the University Information System (hereinafter referred to as “UIS”) and university e-mail, 
  • keep track of the terms and conditions of completion of enrolled courses in the UIS,  
  • complete part of one’s studies at a foreign institution,  
  • carry out publishing and other creative activities, 
  • complete the studies properly within the maximum period of study.  

You can apply for enrolment in the next year of the DSP at the UIS – Contact Centre 165_Z: Request for Enrollment in the Next Year

My doctoral studies at FBE opened the door to international opportunities. During my studies, I completed two research internships at a renowned foreign university and participated in several international conferences. This experience not only broadened my horizons in the field of international business but also allowed me to establish valuable contacts with experts from different parts of the world and opened new perspectives for my academic career.
Patrik Vaněk
student PhD

Basic conditions

Doctoral studies are conducted under the supervision of a supervisor appointed by the Dean on the proposal of the board, and it is assumed that the selection of the supervisor by the student usually takes place before the start of the admission procedure. Profiles of potential supervisors, their scientific interests, publications and project activities are available to those interested in doctoral studies via Persons at MENDELU.

Supervisor

The role of the supervisor is crucial, the study takes place under their guidance. Together with the student, they draw up their individual study plan and monitor and evaluate its implementation. The supervisor consults the student on the preparation of the dissertation thesis, ensures the student’s involvement in creative, pedagogical and project activities and comments on the student’s requests concerning their studies. The supervisor prepares a report on the progress of the doctoral studies, which, together with information from the student’s records, is the basis for the deliberations of the departmental board.  

Student

A student of the doctoral study programme is a member of the academic community of the faculty and the academic community of Mendel University in Brno. He/she is subject to the rights and obligations arising from the law and the internal regulations of the University and the Faculty for the relevant form of study.

Board 

Studies in the DSP are regularly reviewed and evaluated by a departmental board appointed by the Dean of the Faculty for each study programme. The departmental board evaluates the annual reports submitted to the supervisor on the progress of doctoral studies and recommends to the dean decisions on the continuation of studies, interruption of studies and termination of studies, and formulates specific recommendations leading to the successful completion of studies. 

Individual study plan

The ISP includes a schedule of study obligations within the standard period of study, the topic and basic content of the dissertation thesis, and a plan for other activities directly related to the study. In practice, the ISP consists of a study plan of compulsory courses, a selection of compulsory electives and optional courses and the dissertation thesis assignment. All study obligations and opportunities (publishing activities, submission of grants, e.g. within the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Business and Economics, participation in domestic and foreign conferences, international activities, student teaching practice, etc.) are represented by individual courses. 

Successful completion of studies

Below are the minimum requirements that must be met in doctoral study programs in order to apply for a dissertation defence. The fulfilment of requirements for research activities, internships and other study obligations listed here are evaluated not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. Fulfilment of all study obligations prescribed by the study plan is also necessary. Study obligations are fulfilled during the time of active studies.

Schedule

1. 9.Enrolment of newly admitted students in the in the 1st year
1. – 8. 9Enrolment in the senior year of study
1. 9. – 22. 9Changes in the enrolled courses
by 8. 10.Submitting the Individual study plan proposal in the UIS (1st year students)
by 31. 10.Approval of the ISP proposal by a supervisor in the UIS
by 30. 11.Approval of the ISP by the Board
1. – 7. 12. Graduation of students
13. 5. – 28. 6.Commission exams
1. – 7. 6. Graduation of students
by 31. 7. Submitting the Progress Report of the doctoral study
24. – 31. 8Remedial commission exams

What can a student expect from doctoral studies and what from a supervisor?

5×3 principles of student and supervisor in doctoral study programs

Student

  1. Anchor
    • studying on the basis of the ISP and producing a dissertation thesis under the supervision of a supervisor
    • receives feedback from the supervisor and is evaluated by the departmental board 
    • becomes an active part of the university and global academic community  
  2. Level
    • continuously educates themselves and takes care of their professional growth
    • travels, completes foreign internships and gains international experience 
    • continuously improves the level of their skills and abilities
  3. Perspectives 
    • engages in project activities  
    • uses access to data, modern equipment and technology in their workplace 
    • carries out creative, challenging, varied and interesting work  
  4. Benefits 
    • is an active and creative member of the academic community, participates in the activities of their department 
    • disseminates the acquired knowledge, skills and results of their own research 
    • pushes the boundaries of social knowledge 
  5. Motivation 
    • receives a doctoral scholarship during the standard period of study and other scholarships depending on the results and activities   
    • has more opportunities to fund their own research 
    • benefits from student status 

Supervisor

  1. Communication
    • set up of communication
    • regularity 
    • feedback 
  2. Management
    • setting the necessary knowledge framework 
    • defining the direction of study and research 
    • critical evaluation of work in progress 
  3.  Engagement  
    • projects 
    • joint publications 
    • internal and external academic environment 
  4. Support  
    • choice of courses, internships, journals, conferences, courses, summer schools 
    • arranging contacts 
    • assistance in solving research problems 
  5. Check  
    • meeting objectives and responsibilities 
    • participation in the institutional evaluation of the dissertation thesis 
    • implementing feedback

Contact

Faculty of Business and Economics
Dean’s office, building Q
Zemědělská 1665/1, 613 00 Brno

IČO: 62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489

Payment information:
LEI code: 9845005B755A2F748B39
Name of bank: KB Brno-Černá Pole, Merhautova 1, 631 32 Brno
SWIFT code: KOMBCZPP
Account number: 7200300237/0100
IBAN code: CZ56 0100 0000 0072 0030 0237
Office: Q3.93
Vice-dean for Research and Doctoral studies

Supervisor of study programme

Office: Q4.64
Supervisor of Economics and Management (EAMA)
Office: Q4.76
Supervisor of Applied Statistics and Operations Research