Study progress

Enrolment

Your studies start with in‑person enrolment at the Office for Research, Projects Support and Doctoral Studies. Enrollment usually takes place in mid September (for the autumn term) and mid February (for the spring term). You will receive the exact date and all necessary details in your enrollment invitation. After enrolment, your supervisor will introduce you to the workplace and colleagues.

Information for First‑Year Students

Individual Study Plan

The Individual Study Plan outlines the study requirements, dissertation project assignment, timeline of obligations, and research plan.

The student prepares the ISP with their supervisor after enrollment.
It must be approved by both the supervisor and the Doctoral Board no later than the end of the first semester.
In case of major changes (e.g., change of research focus), a new ISP must be created and approved.

Detailed information: Faculty Directive, Article 5.

Information about the ISP: PhD Centre

How to Complete the ISP in the Information System - Guide for students

Term Evaluation

First-year students complete the plan for their 1st term after enrollment. Subsequently, before the end of each term, all students submit the “Evaluation of the Ending Term” and the “Plan for the Upcoming Term.” They receive an automatic reminder email from the Information System approximately one week before the deadline.

The supervisor evaluates student's progress, the completion of the term plan and approves continuation of studies and the plan for the next term. Once a year, the Doctoral Board reviews the fulfilment of term obligations.

Failure to fulfill the ISP or term plan, or failure to enroll for the next term, may result in termination of studies.

The evaluation must clearly state what is missing, and how and by when it should be completed. If the situation is not resolved, thesupervisor will submit the case to the Doctoral Board for further consideration.

Schedule:

	Autumn Term	Spring Term
PhD Candidate’s Feedback (evaluation of the current term + plan for the upcoming term)	Completed during the autumn term, no later than 7 February.	Completed during the spring term, no later than 7 September.

Courses

Students may take courses offered across Masaryk University or external courses. Students may consult their course selection with their supervisor. Courses offered in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Sciences or other institutions are recommended by the supervisor based on the focus of the dissertation project.

Courses according to the PhD study plan
MU Course Catalogue
Elportál MUNI (e‑learning courses)
FRESHERS (university‑wide online course, 3 credits)
Basics of Scientific Work – Czech Academy of Sciences (external, available only in Czech language)

Students register for courses in IS MU according to the Faculty of Pharmacy academic schedule.

Interruption of Studies

Students may interrupt their studies. The earliest possible interruption is after successfully completing the first semester and meeting the conditions for enrolment in the following semester. The total duration of studies, including interruptions, must not exceed twice the standard length of the programme.

Types of Interruption of Studies

Interruption due to parenthood or serious health reasons
This type of interruption is not counted towards the total duration of studies.
Interruption for other reasons
This is counted towards the total duration of studies. Before such an interruption, the student must meet the conditions for continuation to the next semester.
Interruption until the resit date of the dissertation defence
This is possible for full semesters.

How to Apply

Students submit an application (or a request for one of the parenthood‑related regimes) through the IS MU Document Office (Document Office - Submitt a new application - Application for Study Interruption). The request is forwarded to the supervisor. The final decision is made by the Dean, who also sets the start and end dates of the interruption. The rules for interruption and re‑enrolment are governed by the MU Study and Examination Regulations.

Returning to Studies

If the student wishes to return to studies, they must submit "Oznámení o opětovném zápisu do studia po přerušení" via the IS MU Document Office.

Combining Studies and Parenthood

Information is available on the RMU website.

Termination of Studies

Final State Examination

The doctoral studies are successfully completed by passing the Final State Examination, which consists of the defence of the dissertation. The defence must take place no later than one year after submitting the application.

Requirements for Applying for the Dissertation Defence

Before submitting your application, you must:

Fulfil all study requirements
Complete the dissertation with results that have been published or accepted for publication

Unsuccessful Termination of Studies

Studies are terminated unsuccessfully if:

The student fails to meet study requirements (including failure to enrol in the next semester)
The student withdraws from studies
The student is expelled from studies

If the supervisor finds that the student is not fulfilling the Individual Study Plan (ISP) or other study obligations, the supervisor informs the Doctoral Board and may propose the termination of studies for failure to meet requirements. The Doctoral Board discusses the proposal with the student and the supervisor present.

Students may appeal against a decision on termination or expulsion in accordance with the MU Study and Examination Regulations. Submitting an appeal on time has a suspensive effect.