General Information
The main focus of research in the Csonka Pál Doctoral School at the Faculty of Architecture, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, covers scientific problems related to architecture, construction, structural mechanics, geometry, and applied mechanics. The 4-year-long curriculum, upon successful defense, leads to a PhD in architecture and engineering. The student's performance is evaluated on a comprehensive exam after the second year. The main focus of the curriculum is independent research conducted in close collaboration with the student's supervisor. The main goal is a high-quality doctoral thesis supported by publications in international, peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
- Acceptance letter from one of the supervisors of the announced PhD topics. You can find a template for this letter in the Downloads menu.
- A completed MSc in a relevant field (e.g., Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Mathematics, History of Art).
- Competence in the English language certified by a complex (oral and written) state-accredited language examination at min. level B2 (or a certificate equivalent thereto).
- Proof of initiated scientific activities (publication, conference attendance, undergraduate research project, ...etc.).
- The language of tuition is English; no Hungarian is required.
Admission
Admission to the Doctoral School is announced annually. Before starting the admission process, the candidate should select a research topic from the announced projects and contact the corresponding supervisor. The Doctoral School offers a wide range of topics, including, but not restricted to, Building Construction, Engineering Mechanics, Energy Efficiency, Geometry, History and Theory of Architecture, Historical Structures, Structural Mechanics, and Urban Studies. The list of available topics and their supervisors is updated in mid-April. Please follow our website to reach the updated list (PhD Admission / PhD Topics). The date of the admission exam depends on the funding type.
Funding
Stipendium Hungaricum Program
For candidates supported by the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program, a nomination from the Tempus Public Foundation is also essential. Details: https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu/
If you are interested in applying to the doctoral school, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/Rf7P1EBf56XfjLq89
Note: the SH program asks you to formulate and submit a research plan. However, in our Doctoral School, the research topics are initiated by the supervisors; therefore, you must choose a research topic from the list of actual PhD topics. Contact a supervisor of the announced PhD topics to acquire an acceptance letter. The admission exam is held after the SH application deadline during the spring semester.
Fee-paying students
The tuition fee for international students not supported by the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program is approximately 1.400.000 HUF/term (approx. 4500 Euros). Upon good performance, the fee may be reduced. For the actual amount of the fee, please visit the website of the University of BME: https://www.bme.hu/tuition-fee?language=en
The application deadline is at the end of May, and the admission exam is held in the second half of June. Please consult the Scientific Administration of the Doctoral School for the actual dates.
Erasmus students
It is possible to visit our Doctoral School through a short-term doctoral mobility. During the mobility period, the student must work on a research project under the guidance of a supervisor. If you wish to apply for the scholarship, you must have an acceptance letter from one of the supervisors of the Doctoral School. Steps to acquire the acceptance letter:
1. Send your introductory documents to the Scientific Administration.
2. Choose a topic from the list of announced PhD topics and contact the supervisor for an acceptance letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I would like to work on topic XY, but I can't find any related topics in the list. Is it possible to accredit my suggested topic?
No, only supervisors can suggest a topic.
2. I contacted many supervisors, and nobody is willing to give me an acceptance letter. What can I do?
Unfortunately, you cannot start the admission procedure without an acceptance letter.
3. How can I ensure my success in finding a supervisor?
Contact the supervisor in advance, preferably as soon as possible. Gain some experience related to the chosen topic. Choosing the topic and the supervisor a few days before the application deadline is usually too late.
4. Why is XY not giving me an acceptance letter despite my excellent background in the chosen topic?
The number of students a supervisor can accept is limited. It might happen that the topic is accredited, but the corresponding supervisor has reached the maximum number of students and cannot accept more.
5. Can I change the topic's title to suit my plans better?
No, the topic has undergone accreditation and cannot be changed.
6. I already have publications on the topic xy. Can I work on that?
No, only supervisors can suggest a topic.
7. My MSc qualification is not related to Architecture. Can I still apply to the Pál Csonka Doctoral School?
Yes, applicants holding a wide range of MSc degrees are welcome, including: Civil Engineering, Art History, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Physics, and Mathematics.