Future PhD Student
Recruitment
Before starting the recruitment process to a doctoral school, you should familiarize yourself with the recruitment rules, which are determined individually for each school in accordance with the principles established by the senate or the scientific council. There you will find all the necessary information regarding requirements, deadlines, and the documents that must be submitted. It is also worth reviewing the education programme. These documents are made available no later than 5 months before the start of the recruitment process, which is conducted through a competitive procedure.
At many universities, recruitment to a doctoral school includes an admission interview. Information on any examination and its course is also determined internally by the given university or another entity running the doctoral school, therefore it is advisable to carefully review the recruitment documentation. Admission to a doctoral school takes place by entry on the list of doctoral students. A person who holds a professional title of Master, Master of Engineering, or an equivalent degree may be admitted to a doctoral school. The new regulations do not provide for the continuation of the “Diamond Grant” programme in its previously known form; however, by way of exception, they allow the admission to a doctoral school of graduates of first-cycle studies or students after the third year of long-cycle Master’s studies, provided that they demonstrate outstanding academic achievements.
Already at the stage of preparing for recruitment, it is worth establishing contact with a potential supervisor or auxiliary supervisor in order to discuss the preliminary concept of the research project and the possibilities of its implementation within a given unit. This allows for a better alignment of the doctoral dissertation topic with the research profile of the doctoral school and increases the chances of a positive outcome of the competitive recruitment process. Candidates should also pay attention to the evaluation criteria applied during recruitment, such as previous academic achievements, publications, participation in research projects, or knowledge of foreign languages, as these elements often play a significant role in determining the ranking list.
Number of Places
The number of places available in each doctoral school is determined individually for the entity authorised to run the doctoral school. These entities include:
• an academic university,
• an institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS),
• a research institute,
• an international institute,
• a federation of such entities,
• the Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education.
A necessary condition is that the entities listed above hold a scientific category not lower than B+ in at least two disciplines, which enables continuous quality improvement. An exception to this rule has been provided for in the act regulating higher education and science. A doctoral school may be run by an academic university that conducts scientific activity exclusively in one discipline that is either theology, physical culture, or an artistic discipline, and holds a scientific category of A+, A, or B+ in that discipline.
A doctoral school may also be run jointly by academic universities, PAS institutes, research institutes, or international institutes, each of which holds a scientific category of A+, A, or B+ in at least one discipline.
Doctoral education may be conducted in cooperation with another entity, in particular an entrepreneur or a foreign university or research institution.
Scholarship
A doctoral student who does not hold a doctoral degree receives a doctoral scholarship, the amount of which is at least 37% of the minimum monthly basic salary of a professor at a public university (currently the minimum salary of a professor is PLN 9,370.00 gross) until the mid-term evaluation, and at least 57% after this evaluation has been conducted. Each entity may individually determine the level of this scholarship, provided that the statutory minimum is maintained. A doctoral student who holds a disability certificate, a certificate of the degree of disability, or a certificate referred to in Article 5 and Article 62 of the Act of 27 August 1997 on Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, receives a doctoral scholarship increased by 30% of the amount received by doctoral students prior to the mid-term evaluation.
If a doctoral dissertation is submitted earlier than the completion date of education provided for in the education programme, the doctoral student will receive the doctoral scholarship until the date on which the education completion deadline expires, but for no longer than 6 months.
It should be remembered that doctoral scholarships are subject to social security contributions provided for in the regulations on the social insurance system. Doctoral students receiving a scholarship in a doctoral school are covered by mandatory pension, disability, and accident insurance. Health insurance remains voluntary.
A doctoral scholarship in a doctoral school is granted to every doctoral student who does not hold a doctoral degree. Moreover, doctoral students in doctoral schools may apply for a number of other scholarships and grant programmes, from which they may also receive remuneration.
One such scholarship is the Minister’s Scholarship for Outstanding Young Scientists, which may be applied for by a doctoral student with significant academic achievements who has not yet obtained a doctoral degree. The period of scholarship payments may not exceed 3 years (excluding breaks for maternity leave and related leave).
In addition, a doctoral student may apply for funding for their research under programmes implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR), or the National Science Centre (NCN). If you are interested in current grant competitions, please visit the → GRANTS.
Rights and Obligations
One of the main privileges granted to doctoral students in doctoral schools is the doctoral scholarship. Doctoral students studying in doctoral schools are subject to mandatory insurance – pension, disability, and accident insurance. Health insurance is voluntary and coverage is granted upon application by the doctoral student. These individuals are covered by insurance for the period during which they receive the doctoral scholarship.
Doctoral students are covered by health insurance. An exception applies to doctoral students who have another title for this insurance or are registered for health insurance as family members.
Doctoral students in doctoral schools are entitled to vacation breaks of up to 8 weeks per year, parental leave, and a doctoral student ID card. For a doctoral student who has obtained a doctoral degree as a result of completing a doctoral school, the period of education in that school, not exceeding 4 years, is included in the period of employment on which employee rights depend.
A local government unit may grant doctoral students reductions in fees for travel on public urban transport. In addition, doctoral students up to the age of 35 are entitled to a 51% discount on travel by public collective railway transport on local, fast, and express trains.
In addition to these benefits, a doctoral student in a doctoral school may:
• apply for accommodation in a student residence hall for themselves and their family,
• apply for meals in a student canteen,
• apply for a student loan (up to the age of 35),
• receive scholarships from local government units,
• receive academic scholarships from natural or legal persons.
Alongside rights, there are also obligations, the most important of which is compliance with the doctoral school regulations. A doctoral student in a doctoral school is obliged to complete professional practice not exceeding 60 teaching hours per year, provided that such practice is included in the education programme. The doctoral student is also obliged to implement the education programme and the individual research plan. The doctoral student bears responsibility for submitting the doctoral dissertation within the deadline specified in the individual research plan.
It is worth emphasizing that the status of a doctoral student in a doctoral school combines elements of academic education and independent research work, which entails the need for a high degree of self-discipline and responsibility for one’s own academic development. The rights and privileges granted to doctoral students are intended to create stable conditions for conducting research and preparing a doctoral dissertation; however, their realization is closely linked to timely and diligent fulfillment of obligations. Awareness of both the rights granted and the obligations imposed allows the doctoral student to better plan their educational path, avoid the risk of negative formal consequences, and fully make use of the opportunities offered by the doctoral school.
An implementation doctorate is an excellent solution for individuals who are professionally active and at the same time wish to develop academically without giving up their professional career. An implementation doctorate offers a number of advantages for the doctoral candidate, including:
1. Double remuneration – one component is the salary received for employment in the enterprise, while the other is a scholarship granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The amount of the scholarship equals 42% of the professor’s remuneration until the month in which the mid-term evaluation is conducted, and 64% of the professor’s remuneration after the month in which the mid-term evaluation has been carried out, provided that a positive evaluation is obtained. Currently, the minimum professor’s remuneration amounts to PLN 9,370.00 gross.
2. Higher earnings and better career prospects – in addition to acquiring academic knowledge, the doctoral candidate also gains highly valuable professional experience that is particularly important in the business environment. By combining these two aspects, the candidate becomes a true expert in their field. Moreover, experience from other countries where implementation doctorates are offered shows that implementation doctorate holders in technical, exact and natural sciences achieve incomes approximately 10% higher than graduates of traditional doctoral education in these scientific disciplines.
3. Substantive support – the doctoral candidate receives academic support both from the university and from the enterprise, which provides real opportunities to implement the results of their work within the organization, thereby improving its operations.
Are you already employed and unsure how to persuade your employer to consent to an implementation doctorate?
Below are several arguments you may present:
• Market advantage.
• Increased patent activity.
• The company gains an expert with a strong academic background.
• The existence of genuine cooperation between the enterprise and the university.
• Facilitated technology transfer.
• The possibility of establishing a spin-off company.
It should be remembered that the outcome of work carried out within an implementation doctorate is not a publication, but rather the implementation of a specific solution in the enterprise where the doctoral candidate is employed.
It is also worth emphasizing that an implementation doctorate does not require resignation from current employment; on the contrary, it is based on a close connection between professional work and research and development activities carried out for the benefit of the employer. The doctoral project is developed around a real problem faced by the enterprise, which means that the time and resources invested in the doctorate translate directly into the company’s development. For the employer, this also represents an opportunity to strengthen the organization’s innovativeness, increase its recognition as an entity cooperating with academia, and improve its preparedness to participate in grant competitions and research and development support programs.
If you are employed, your employer does not consent, you have no opportunity to pursue an implementation doctorate, or you simply do not have time to undertake education at a doctoral school but would still like to develop academically, there is an option to obtain a doctoral degree in the external mode, also referred to as an independent doctorate.
Before initiating proceedings for the award of a doctoral degree, it is necessary to submit an application for the appointment of a supervisor (or supervisors). An external doctorate, however, involves costs that must be borne by the person applying for the doctoral degree. The amount of the fee may not exceed the costs of the proceedings, taking into account in particular the remuneration of the supervisor or auxiliary supervisor and the reviewers. These costs are calculated on the basis of the minimum professor’s salary (currently PLN 9,370.00 gross). In accordance with generally applicable law, the supervisor receives 83% of the professor’s salary, the auxiliary supervisor 50%, and each of the three reviewers 27%. It should also be noted that a person pursuing an independent doctorate must cover a number of additional indirect and administrative costs.
In justified cases, it is possible to be exempted from the fee in whole or in part. If the person applying for the doctoral degree is a research employee or an academic teacher, the costs of the proceedings are covered by the employing institution.
It is worth remembering, however, that a person pursuing an external doctorate does not hold the status of a doctoral student and, consequently, loses all associated privileges, such as discounts on public transport.
Choosing an external doctorate may therefore be a rational alternative for professionally active individuals who wish to pursue academic development in a flexible manner and at their own pace. It should be borne in mind, however, that this mode requires a high degree of independence, good work organization, and financial security to cover the costs of the proceedings. The lack of doctoral student status also means no doctoral scholarship, insurance, or other social benefits and entitlements, which makes the independent doctorate primarily a solution for individuals who are already professionally stable. Before making a decision, it is advisable to carefully analyze the regulations in force at the given institution, the scope of support offered by the supervisor, and the total costs of the proceedings in order to consciously choose the path best suited to one’s professional and personal situation.
Doctoral Student Council
At every university that provides doctoral education, alongside the Student Council there also operates a Doctoral Student Council, which represents doctoral students before the University Authorities. Doctoral Student Councils also function in other institutions that provide doctoral education, such as institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. If during your studies you were actively involved in student organizations, academic societies, or the Student Council, you can continue this passion while studying at a doctoral school. It is worth emphasizing, however, that participation in the Doctoral Student Council is not reserved exclusively for individuals who were previously socially active. If you have not been involved in organizational activities so far, pursuing a doctorate may be an excellent moment to start. Self-government activity supports the development of soft skills such as communication, negotiation, and teamwork, which are valuable both in an academic career and beyond. Before starting a doctorate, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the structure of doctoral self-governance at your university so that you are aware of the opportunities arising from active involvement in university structures.
KRD
The National Representation of Doctoral Students (KRD) is the nationwide representative and voice of the doctoral student community. The KRD has the right to express opinions and submit proposals on matters concerning doctoral students as a whole, including issuing opinions on normative acts relating to doctoral students. Each Doctoral Student Council has the right to delegate its representative to the Open Meetings of the Board (OMB). More information about the KRD, the people involved, ongoing projects, and OMB meetings can be found at: www.krd.edu.pl
Sectoral Agreements
Doctoral Student Councils with a similar academic profile join together in sectoral agreements, organizing a number of interesting initiatives targeted at specific groups of recipients, such as doctoral students of technical universities operating within the Agreement of Doctoral Students of Technical Universities. The list of agreements is as follows:
1. Doctoral Forum of Polish Universities – DFUP
2. Agreement of Doctoral Students of Technical Universities – PDUT
3. Doctoral Forum of Medical Universities – DFUM
4. Agreement of Doctoral Students of Life Sciences Universities – PDUP
5. Agreement of Doctoral Students of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences – PDIPAN
Local Agreements
Universities from a given region join forces to operate in the local environment for the benefit of all doctoral students. Such agreements often cooperate with local government authorities and serve as the voice of the young researcher generation. Check whether such an agreement operates in your region, and if not, perhaps it is worth establishing one:
1. Lublin Agreement of Doctoral Students
2. Kraków Agreement of Doctoral Students – PDK
3. Wrocław–Opole Agreement of Doctoral Students – WrOPD
4. Poznań Agreement of Doctoral Students – PPD
5. Warsaw Doctoral Forum – WFD
6. West Pomeranian Agreement of Doctoral Students – ZPD
Academic Societies
Academic societies usually bring together doctoral students and students focused on a specific subject area, enabling them to develop their academic interests, for example through participation in fairs, seminars, conferences, or jointly implemented research projects. Very often, students active in academic societies who continue their academic careers at the doctoral level establish such societies themselves in order to further pursue interesting projects under their auspices.
We invite you to watch videos featuring advice from current and former doctoral students.