The most important component of the doctoral programme is the independent research activity completed in the research topics announced by the Doctoral School. Each doctoral student is assigned one and only one supervisor, who has full responsibility for guiding and supporting the academic and research work of the doctoral student working on the topic, as well as the publication of results and the completion of the doctoral thesis. For the successful completion, publication in high-standard journals (Web of Science, Scopus) is necessary.
The doctoral training, which prepares for the award of the doctoral degree following the Master’s degree, consists of two stages: 1. Educational and Research Stage (1st – 4th semester) and 2. Research and Dissertation Stage (5th – 8th semester). During the doctoral training, at the end of the 4th semester, the Comprehensive Exam must be successfully completed to conclude the Educational and Research Stage of the training and as a precondition for entering the Research and Dissertation Stage.
The tutorial character of the Doctoral School's education is emphasized through regular consultations with the supervisor, where participation is recognized with credit points, and through support for research and publication activities. The supervisor assesses students' competence and activities during the consultation in each semester.
Related regulations: BME – Doctoral and Habilitation Procedures; BME Code of Studies and Exams
According to the Code of Studies of BME (BME TVSZ), PhD Students must fulfil a minimum of 120 EPPH in the Educational and Research Stage and a minimum of 120 EPPH in the Research and Dissertation Stage, for a total of min. 240 EPPH at the end of their 8th semester.
To qualify for the Comprehensive Exam, PhD Students must fulfil a minimum of 80 EPPH by the end of their 3rd semester. Also, to qualify for the Comprehensive exam, PhD students must fulfil publication requirements by the end of their 4th semester.
After the Comprehensive Exam, students shall complete the Research and Dissertation Stage as part of the degree award procedure to obtain the doctoral degree. In this stage, the emphasis shifts to research, publication of results, and completion of the thesis. To obtain a PhD degree, PhD candidates shall demonstrate profound knowledge, research activity that yields new results in the scientific field, and the ability to conduct research without guidance.