Replacement of doctoral scholarship with doctoral study income

Starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, all doctoral students at Charles University will receive a doctoral study income.

For the newly enrolled students (from 1 October 2025), the guaranteed amount will be 1.2 times the minimum wage.

For the current students, the minimum doctoral study income will be set at CZK 17,500 from the academic year 2025/2026. From 2026/2027 onwards, alignment with the level for newly enrolled students is planned.

The doctoral study income may consist of:

• a doctoral scholarship;

• a salary or a wage for creative activities directly related to the preparation of the dissertation;

• a combination of the two above (doctoral scholarship and salary or wage for creative activities related to the preparation of the dissertation).

The new amount of doctoral study income will not result in increased study obligations.

The only new requirement introduced by the legislation is the obligation to formally apply for the scholarship. This application must be submitted to the relevant faculty at the start of each academic year for which the scholarship is to be granted. You will be informed about the correct procedure by your faculty.

For students in the combined form of study, there will be no changes; the doctoral study income is tied to the full-time form.

Completion of Doctoral Studies – State Doctoral Examination

The state doctoral examination was abolished for all students enrolled after the effective date of the amendment. For newly admitted students, this requirement will be replaced by a colloquium on the dissertation topic, the nature of which will be specified in the Code of Study and Examination of Charles University. This marks a shift away from subject-based examinations in favour of academic discussion on dissertation content and plans towards finalisation and defence.

For current students, the obligation to take the state doctoral examination remains. Faculties will continue to schedule state doctoral examination dates for current students in accordance with their individual study plans.

Additional Changes Affecting Your Studies

1. Transfer Between Study Programmes: Please note that the transfer between study programmes will not apply to doctoral studies.

2. Change in Appeal Period: For submitting appeals (e.g., against termination, interruption of studies, or disciplinary offences), the original 30-day period has been reduced to a 15-day period.

3. Public Access to Final Theses: The university may postpone the public access to bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and rigorous theses or parts thereof for the duration of the obstacle to access, but for no longer than five years (previously three years). The specific duration is at the discretion of the relevant faculty.

In summary, there are relatively few real changes to your studies, and many are, in fact, positive. If you have any questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant department at your faculty.

Comprehensive information on the structure of doctoral studies, available support, and further educational opportunities can be found on the Charles University Doctoral Studies website and your faculty’s website.