Faculty of ManagementComenius University Bratislava

PhD Student

Information for PhD STUDENTS

The study of the management study program in the field of study economics and management is governed by Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education Institutions and on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Acts, as amended (hereinafter referred to as "the Act" in the relevant grammatical form) and by Internal Regulation No. 5/2004 Coll. 22/2023 approved by the Academic Senate of Comenius University Bratislava Study Regulations of Comenius University Bratislava Full text of Internal Regulation No. 20/2019 Study Regulations of Comenius University Bratislava as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 (hereinafter referred to as "Study Regulations of Comenius University Bratislava" in the relevant grammatical form).

A condition for the proper completion of doctoral studies is the passing of the dissertation examination, which is one of the state examinations, and the defence of the dissertation.

Doctoral studies (the standard length of studies in the full-time form is three years, in the part-time form four years) are carried out in the study program  of management in the field of study economics and management.

Information for students are available at the PHD English Study Programme SharePoint: https://liveuniba.sharepoint.com/sites/fmuk/pracoviska/phd/PHD%20English%20Study%20Programme/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Study Plan

The structure of the study plan for the third level of study according to the provisions of § 54 (8) of the Act, doctoral studies consist of a study part and a scientific part.

A. Study part.
Six courses, some of which are compulsory courses designed as two-semester courses – 8 credits per successfully completed course (if the course is a two-semester course, 8 credits for each successfully completed course).

Courses of the study part of the doctoral studies, which the doctoral student has enrolled, are evaluated by the classification degree passed – failed.

B. Scientific section.
Creative activity in the field of science and creative activity linked to the dissertation project and the dissertation: minimum 100 credits.

Creative activity linked to the dissertation project and the dissertation. Dissertation project: 10 credits, dissertation: 30 credits.

Study program Management in the field Economics and Management 
Accredited language of teaching: English language
Full-Time study program

Study program - Full-time

Course

ECTS Credits

Hours per Semester

Recommended

 

Year

Semester

Compulsory courses

 

Economics I, II

8

16/16

1.

FS, SS

Research Methodology and Writing Articles I, II

8

16/16

1.

FS, SS

Management

8

16/16

1.

FS

Quantitative Methods of the Scientific Research

8

16/16

1.

SS

Compulsory elective courses

Analysis of Credit Risks of Financial Portfolios

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Analysis of Market Risks of Financial Portfolios

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Business Analytics and Business Processes Modeling

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Tax Systems

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Financial Investments

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Financial Accounting and Analysis

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Communication Techniques in Marketing

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Qualitative Methods of the Scientific Research

8

16/16

2.

FS

Managerial Ethics

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Managerial Information Systems

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Human Resources Management

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Project Management

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Marketing – New Trends

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Data Modeling in Management

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Operations Management

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Organizational Behavior

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Entrepreneurship and Management SMEs

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Solving Real-World Business Problems with Quantitative Methods

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Service Analytics and Service Systems Modeling

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Strategic Information Systems

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Strategic Partnership

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Strategic Management

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Multivariate Statistical Methods

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Market Research

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

Knowledge Management

8

16/16

2.

FS, SS

State examination

 

 

 

 

Dissertation Examination

10

 

2.

FS

Dissertation Thesis Defence

30

 

3.

SS

 

Study program Management in the field Economics and Management
Accredited language of teaching: English language
Part-time study program

Study Program - Part-time

Course

ECTS Credits

Hours per Semester

Recommended

 

Year

Semester

Compulsory courses

 

Economics I, II

8

16/16

1.

FS, SS

Research Methodology and Writing Articles I, II

8

16/16

1.

FS, SS

Management

8

16/16

2.

FS

Quantitative Methods of the Scientific Research

8

16/16

2.

SS

Compulsory elective courses

Analysis of Credit Risks of Financial Portfolios

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Analysis of Market Risks of Financial Portfolios

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Business Analytics and Business Processes Modeling

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Tax Systems

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Financial Investments

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Financial Accounting and Analysis

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Communication Techniques in Marketing

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Qualitative Methods of the Scientific Research

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Managerial Ethics

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Managerial Information Systems

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Human Resources Management

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Project Management

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Marketing – New Trends

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Data Modeling in Management

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Operations Management

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Organizational Behavior

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Entrepreneurship and Management SMEs

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Solving Real-World Business Problems with Quantitative Methods

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Service Analytics and Service Systems Modeling

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Strategic Information Systems

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Strategic Partnership

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Strategic Management

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Multivariate Statistical Methods

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Market Research

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

Knowledge Management

8

16/16

3.

FS, SS

State examination

 

 

 

 

Dissertation Examination

10

 

3.

FS

Dissertation Thesis Defence

30

 

4.

SS

 

The compulsory courses are organized together for all students during the teaching part of the semester (FS = Fall semester/SS = Spring semester). 

Compulsory elective courses are organized individually by arrangement with the teacher at the beginning of each semester.

In addition, the doctoral student carries out teaching activities. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 54(11) of the Act, doctoral students in full-time study are obliged to carry out pedagogical activities or other professional activities related to pedagogical activities to the extent of no more than four hours per week on average per academic year. This amounts to four hours times 44 weeks in ten months of the academic year, i.e., 176 hours of teaching duties:

a) conducting seminars and/or tutorials for four hours per week (10 credits per semester),

b) professional activities related to teaching:

• supervising a bachelor's thesis (after the dissertation examination – 5 credits, maximum one bachelor's thesis per academic year),

• preparation of a referee's report on the bachelor thesis (3 credits, maximum of three reports per academic year),

• preparation of a dissertation referee report (after the dissertation examination – 5 credits, maximum one report per academic year),

• the function of secretary in the state final examination committees,

• support activities in securing the examination period for the department.

For teaching activities, credits are allocated as follows: 10 credits per semester for the activity in a) and a total of 5 credits per academic year if the doctoral student has carried out all the activities in b). These credits shall be awarded by the Head of Department.

For outreach and committee activities, credits shall be awarded by the Head of Department in the range of 0 to 10 credits per academic year.

For the scientific part, the doctoral student shall obtain a minimum of 100 credits for degree programs for which the achievement of 180 credits is a prerequisite for regular graduation.

Information for students are available at the PHD English Study Programme SharePoint: https://liveuniba.sharepoint.com/sites/fmuk/pracoviska/phd/PHD%20English%20Study%20Programme/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Study part and scientific part of PhD study

Doctoral studies consist of a study part and a scientific part.

Within the study part, the subjects of the management study program in the field of economics and management cover the necessary knowledge of the core of the field of study and include topics and selected states from the scientific disciplines: economics, management, statistics, and finance.

The study part of the doctoral studies consists mainly of lectures and examinations in compulsory subjects, compulsory seminars, elective seminars, and individual study of the scientific literature necessary for the preparation of the dissertation.

The scientific part of the doctoral studies consists of individual or team scientific work of the doctoral student, which is related to the topic of the doctoral thesis. The scientific part of the doctoral study is professionally supervised by the supervisor. During the PhD, students are introduced to the general methodology of scientific research, learn specific research methods and techniques suitable for the field of study of economics and management, learn to formulate a scientific research objective, conduct their own research, process, and interpret their own scientific research results and find its possible applications in practice. The key activity in this part is creative activity in the field of science, scientific research, and publishing.

1. A minimum of one publication for a minimum of 40 credits or two publications for a minimum of 30 credits each is required as a condition for successful defence of the dissertation.

2. In the publications, the PhD student shall indicate the supervisor or other academic staff of the relevant FM CU department who are involved in the given research task, for the publication to be counted towards the department's accreditation.

The study according to the doctoral study program is carried out according to an individual study plan under the guidance of a supervisor. The study plan is drawn up by the supervisor in cooperation with the doctoral student. According to the focus of the dissertation topic and in agreement with the supervisor, doctoral students choose two elective subjects which become state subjects.

The main forms of study control are:

• dissertation examination,

• the dissertation defence.

The doctoral student must obtain the required number of credits while his/her studies. During his/her studies, the doctoral student must earn credits as follows:

1. in the full-time form of doctoral studies it is necessary that the doctoral student obtains at least 45 credits per academic year, the recommended number of credits for each year of study is 60 credits,

2. in the part-time form of doctoral studies, the doctoral student must obtain a minimum of 30 credits each academic year, the recommended number of credits for each year of study is a minimum of 45 credits.

Failure to meet the conditions in point 1. or 2. is a reason for the supervisor to submit a proposal for the exclusion of the doctoral student from the doctoral studies in the annual evaluation.

Information for students are available at the PHD English Study Programme SharePoint: https://liveuniba.sharepoint.com/sites/fmuk/pracoviska/phd/PHD%20English%20Study%20Programme/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Dissertation examination and Thesis defence – registration and process

A doctoral student in the full-time form of doctoral studies shall register for the dissertation examination no later than 18 months after the beginning of the study. A doctoral student in the part-time form of doctoral studies shall register for the dissertation examination no later than 24 months after the beginning of his/her studies (at least in August in the 2nd year of study). The application shall include the submission of a written thesis for the dissertation examination and a detailed project for the future dissertation.

In both full-time and part-time doctoral studies, a doctoral student may apply for the dissertation examination when:

• he or she has successfully completed all the compulsory courses, and at the same time

• publishes at least one scientific publication in a conference/non-conference proceedings indexed in the Web of Science and/or Scopus database (it is sufficient to register for the dissertation examination if the doctoral candidate proves that the publication has been accepted for publication/printing), and at the same time

• obtains a minimum of 60 credits.

The dissertation examination shall be conducted by the student before a committee of at least five members. The student will defend the written thesis and the future dissertation project, answer questions and comments from the opponent and the supervisor, or other members of the committee, and answer questions from the subjects of the dissertation examination in a discussion.

The dissertation examination consists of:

a) a part consisting of a discussion of the written thesis, which includes:

• the objectives of the future dissertation,

• the theoretical foundations of the future dissertation,

• the current state of knowledge on the dissertation topic,

• an analysis of the methodological approach to solving the dissertation problem, the state of the dissertation work in progress.

b) the part in which the doctoral student has to demonstrate theoretical knowledge of the range of topics according to the focus of the dissertation topic, i.e. the colloquium discussion.

The course of the dissertation examination is as follows:

• the defence of the written thesis and the future dissertation project includes a colloquial discussion of the level of knowledge of the graduate of the third level of study in the field of knowledge of the study field of economics and management,

• in the colloquial discussion, the doctoral candidate defends the submitted written thesis and the future dissertation project and answers the questions and comments of the opponent and the supervisor and other members of the committee, while the questions of these persons are related to:

o the theoretical and methodological scope of the problems of the future dissertation topic,

o the application aspects of the problems of the future dissertation: in answering the questions of the members of the examination committee, the doctoral candidate shall demonstrate knowledge of the functional area of management to which the topic of the future dissertation relates,

• appropriate to the content of the future dissertation topic, the colloquium discussion also reflects broader knowledge in the field of management.

After obtaining the necessary credits during the study (150 credits) and obtaining 30 credits for a dissertation that has successfully passed the pre-defence at the relevant department, the doctoral student may apply for permission to defend the dissertation after submitting the final version of the dissertation.

To successfully complete the doctoral studies, 180 credits must be obtained in three years in the full-time form and 180 credits must be obtained in four years in the part-time form.

Doctoral studies end with the defence of the dissertation. It demonstrates the ability and readiness for independent scientific and creative activity in the field of research or development.

The dissertation is the final thesis (provision of § 51 (3) of the Act) and is governed by internal regulation No. 7/2018 Directive of the Rector of Comenius University Bratislava Full text of internal regulation No. 12/2013 Directive of the Rector of Comenius University Bratislava on the basic requirements of final theses, rigorous theses and habilitation theses, control of their originality, storage and accessibility at Comenius University Bratislava, as amended by Appendix No. 1 to Appendix No. 2.

As a separate appendix to the dissertation, the doctoral candidate will submit a dissertation abstract (in Slovak called “Autoreferat”) (in the language of the dissertation)  , which will contain a summary of the basic methods, ideas, results and conclusions of the dissertation and a definition of its contribution. The abstract should be in A5 format and up to 16 standard pages in length.

In the introduction of the abstract, the doctoral candidate shall state:

• an overview of the current state of the art,

• the aims of the dissertation,

• the scientific methods chosen.

The main part of the abstract gives the reader the most complete idea of the content and structure of the scientific work, therefore it contains:

• a brief and concise summary of the results of the dissertation,

• a precise definition of the scientific contribution of the dissertation as a result of scientific creative work,

• data concerning the generalisation and final evaluation of the research carried out,

• an indication of possible directions for further scientific research.

Other components of the author's abstract:

• list of published works of the doctoral candidate,

• a review of the doctoral candidate's work with precise bibliographical data,

• list of literature used,

• a summary in English.

The faculty will publish doctoral students' dissertation abstracts at regular intervals, thus enabling a wider range of scientific and professional staff of the study field of economics and management to become continuously acquainted with the results of scientific activity contained in doctoral theses.

Information on the written thesis and the dissertation examination and the dissertation

• The written part of the dissertation examination consists of a written thesis for the dissertation examination. Its main purpose is to determine whether the doctoral candidate is capable of scientific work, whether the topic of the dissertation is dissertable and whether the doctoral candidate can achieve the objectives he/she has set out in his/her thesis.

• The written thesis for the dissertation examination consists  of the thesis (project) of the dissertation, which includes: the objectives of the dissertation; the theoretical foundations of the future solution of the dissertation; the current state of knowledge on the topic of the dissertation (including a literature review); an analysis of the methodological approach to solving the problem of the dissertation; and the state of the dissertation's work in progress.

• The written thesis is assessed by the opponent, who draws up an opinion on the written thesis and proposes a pass or fail grade in it.

• As a third-level study program, the doctoral study program focuses on the acquisition of knowledge based on the current state of scientific knowledge and on the student's own contribution to it, which is the result of scientific research and independent creative activity in the field of science or technology .

Thus, scientific research is a key part of doctoral studies and is carried out based on scientific methods and procedures. Scientific research uses specific and clearly defined procedures to answer the questions it asks. It is the adherence to these methodological procedures that distinguishes scientific inquiry from lay observation of the world. Research methodology involves rules that must be followed for research findings to be valid and for the results thus obtained to be presented as scientifically credible. The goal of scientific research is to produce a result that advances human knowledge in each field of inquiry.

Written thesis for the dissertation examination

Dissertation thesis

According to the principles of scientific research, the written thesis for the dissertation examination should include:

a) the objectives of the dissertation,

b) the theoretical foundations of the future dissertation solution,

c) the current state of knowledge on the topic of the dissertation,

d) an analysis of the methodological approach to solving the dissertation problem.

e) expected (planned) outline of the dissertation

Points (a) to (d) coincide with the following points of the dissertation:

·         the current state of the problem at home and abroad,

·          the objectives of the dissertation,

·         methodology and methods of research of the dissertation.

The structure of the dissertation according to the provisions of Article 5 of the Directive of the Rector of Comenius University on the Basic Requirements of Final Theses (Internal regulation).

 

The dissertation of a doctoral student may also be his/her own published work or a set of his/her own published scientific works, which elaborate on the topic of the dissertation in terms of their content.[1]

The thesis of the dissertation and the state of the dissertation work in progress form the conclusion of the written part of the dissertation. The thesis must meet the requirement of thesis dissertation.

 

Formal processing should meet the requirements specified in the directive of the Rector of Comenius University on the basic requisites of final theses (Internal regulation).

The recommended length of a written thesis for the dissertation examination at FM CU is about 40 standard pages.

The recommended length of the dissertation at FM CU is about 125 standard pages (without the appendix).

When quoting, follow one of the methods listed in ISO 690.

 

The bibliography in the dissertation should be at least 50 to 100 titles, mainly scientific articles (registered in Web of Science and/or Scopus databases, carented, impacted, peer-reviewed).

Preference should be given to recent work (the most recent possible), published in the three to seven years prior to the dissertation submission deadline.

 

Own publication outputs form a separate list and their number and quality is determined by the doctoral student's individual study plan.

The outputs should include papers published in scientific journals registered in the Web of Science and/or Scopus databases.

With the consent of the Dean, the thesis may be written and defended in English.

·           In this case, the dissertation includes a resume in the state (Slovak) language in the scope of usually 10% of the scope of the dissertation, as well as an abstract in the state (Slovak) language and the English language.

·           In this case, the student must consent to an originality check in the anti-plagiarism system TURNITIN or another anti-plagiarism system (except CRZP).



[1] Art. 31 (2) of the Study Regulations of Comenius University Bratislava.

Information for students and templates are available at the PHD English Study Programme SharePoint: https://liveuniba.sharepoint.com/sites/fmuk/pracoviska/phd/PHD%20English%20Study%20Programme/Forms/AllItems.aspx 

Allocation of credit for creative activity in science

Publications:

• publication in an indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases and HI ≥ 10 or IF ≥ 0.5 IFM: 50 credits,

• publication in a foreign indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases: 40 credits,

• publication in a foreign indexed proceeding in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases: 35 credits,

• publication in a domestic indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases: 35 credits,

• publication in a domestic indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases: 30 credits,

• publication in a foreign/domestic peer-reviewed and indexed journal in other citation databases (ARxiv, CEEOL, DBLP.org, DOAJ, EBSCO, EconPapers, ECONSTOR, Emerald, ERIH+, Google Scholar, Ideas.Repec.Org, Index Copernicus, MPRA, ProQuest, SSRN, zbMATH, ...) 25 credits

• publication in a foreign/domestic peer-reviewed and indexed proceedings in other citation databases (ARxiv, CEEOL, DBLP.org, DOAJ, EBSCO, EconPapers, ECONSTOR, Emerald, ERIH+, Google Scholar, Ideas.Repec. Org, Index Copernicus, MPRA, ProQuest, SSRN, zbMATH, ...): 20 credits,

• publication in a peer-reviewed journal or peer-reviewed proceedings published in full and freely available on Research Gate: 15 credits,

• publication in a peer-reviewed journal or refereed proceedings: 10 credits.

Presentations at scientific events:

• presentation at a scientific event abroad or in the Slovak Republic published in a peer-reviewed proceedings (based on a document): + 5 credits to the number of credits for the publication,

• presentation at a scientific event of young researchers and PhD students published in a peer-reviewed proceedings (based on a document): + 3 credits to the number of credits for the publication.

Authorship/co-authorship of teaching texts:

• more than one author sheet: 10 credits,

• less than one author sheet: 5 credits.

Credits for active involvement in research projects:

• member of a research team in an APVV or international research project: 10 credits (for each project),

• member of a research team in the framework of a young researchers grant and an internal UK, KEGA or VEGA grant: 5 credits (for each project).

Citations and testimonials:

• citation – SCI, SSCI, SPCI-S, Scopus: 5 credits,

• citation other, foreign: 3 credits,

• citation other, domestic: 1 credit.

Other activities related to scientific activity:

• member of the program or organizing committee of a conference or track at a conference, editing and processing of the proceedings of a scientific conference (co-editor): 5 credits.

Overview of the allocation of ECTS credits to individual types of PhD. student activities

Study part

A) Study Part

ECTS Credits

Compulsory and Elective Courses

8

Methodology of scientific work and writing articles

8

Authorship/co-authorship of teaching texts – more than one AH

10

Authorship/co-authorship of teaching texts – less than one AH

5

Scientific part

B) Scientific Part

ECTS Credits

State Exam

Dissertation project and passing the dissertation examination

10

Dissertation submitted, accepted and defended

30

Publication Activities

publication in an indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases and HI ≥ 10 or IF ≥ 0.5 IFM

50

Publication in a foreign indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases

40

Publication in a foreign indexed proceedings in the citation databases Web of Science and/or Scopus

35

Publication in a domestic indexed journal in the Web of Science and/or Scopus citation databases

35

Publication in a domestic indexed proceedings in the citation databases Web of Science and/or Scopus

30

Publication in a foreign/domestic peer-reviewed and indexed journal in other citation databases (ARxiv, CEEOL, DBLP.org, DOAJ, EBSCO, EconPapers, ECONSTOR, Emerald, ERIH+, Google Scholar, Ideas.Repec.Org, Index Copernicus, MPRA, ProQuest, SSRN, zbMATH, ...)

25

Publication in foreign/domestic peer-reviewed and indexed proceedings in other citation databases (ARxiv, CEEOL, DBLP.org, DOAJ, EBSCO, EconPapers, ECONSTOR, Emerald, ERIH+, Google Scholar, Ideas.Repec.Org, Index Copernicus, MPRA, ProQuest, SSRN, zbMATH, ...)

20

Publication in a peer-reviewed journal or peer-reviewed proceedings, published in full and freely available on Research Gate

15

Publication in a peer-reviewed journal or peer-reviewed proceedings

10

Member of a research team in an APVV or international research project

10

Member of the research team in the framework of a young workers grant and an internal UK, KEGA or VEGA grant

5

Citation – SCI, SSCI, SPCI-S, Scopus

5

Citation other, foreign

3

Citation other, domestic

1

Other activities related to scientific activity: member of the program or organizing committee of a conference or track at a conference, editing and processing the proceedings of a scientific conference (co-editor)

5