Earth Sciences PhD

Key information:

• Duration of training: 8 semesters / 4 academic years (240 credits)
• Deadline of application: 31/May
• Starting date: 1/September (autumn intake only)
• Tuition Fee: 6000 Euro/academic year (consists of 2 semesters)
• Non-refundable application fee: 140 Euro
• Head of the Doctoral School: Prof. Dr István GERESDI
• Coordinator: Mónika KOVÁCS

Description of the program:

The PhD programme "Spatial-Environmental Problems of Socio-Economic Activity", which started in 1994, developed into the PTE Doctoral School of Earth Sciences, which has been accredited as a doctoral programme since 2001. Over the last almost three decades, more than 200 people have obtained PhD degrees in almost all fields of earth sciences. The Doctoral School of Earth Sciences has three accredited programme branches:

• Political Geography, Geopolitics and Geo-economics from a Central European Perspective,
• Social Geography,
• Political Geography, Geography, Geology and Meteorology.

Students' choice of topics, training themes and theoretical and applied research are linked to these branches and take place within thematic groups. Students are assisted by subject leaders with academic degrees and substantial research experience. In addition to our lecturers, guest lectures are regularly delivered by renowned national and international experts. Once admitted, doctoral students will become "staff members" of the Institute, participating in the life of the Institute and its departments, and getting involved in its scientific research. They can participate (optionally) in teaching at BSc and MSc levels, which can help them develop their lecturing skills.

Programmes and modules:

Students enrolling in the geopolitics programme can carry out research on the political geography of the Central European and Balkan region, geopolitical processes related to the region, or the impact of geography on economic processes, among other topics.

Students applying for the Social Geography programme may also explore the frontiers of social geography, in addition to classical regional geography, population and settlement geography and tourism.

Students in the Natural Geography programme can develop geographic information systems (GIS) applications, study short- and long-term changes in land use, and research geological, geomorphological, meteorological and hydro-geographical topics.

Suggested Procedure Before the Admission Interview

1. Students applying to the Doctoral School of Earth Sciences should find a supervisor prior to the PhD interview. We recommend visiting the website of the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences Staff. By clicking on a selected professor's name, you can find information about their research topics. This website will help you identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests.
2. Students are encouraged to reach out to their potential supervisor via email, including relevant information about their research interests and a CV. If the supervisor expresses interest, they should engage in discussions about the research plan through a minimum of two online meetings.
3. After these discussions, if the supervisor accepts the candidate, the Doctoral School will issue a document that allows participation in the PhD interview.

PhD Interview

The PhD interview will be conducted via Skype. A member of the Doctoral School Committee, along with your potential supervisor, will be present during the interview. The purpose of the interview is to assess your language skills and, more importantly, your academic background.
The doctoral school evaluates the quality of your master's diploma and research plan on a scale of 0 to 40 points.
The quality of the interview is assessed on a scale of 0 to 60 points.
To be eligible for application, a minimum score of 53 points is required.

Admission requirements:

• Valid passport
• Finished BA/BSc diploma - a copy of University / College degree (in English or with official translation; the original hard copy must be shown after arrival)
• Finished MA/MSc diploma - a copy of University / College degree (in English or with official translation; the original hard copy must be shown after arrival)
• Certified (in English or with official translation) copy of transcripts
• Two letters of recommendations
• List of publications, if available
• Research plan (1-3 pages)
• Demonstrated evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency – B2 intermediate level
• Medical certificate, vaccination card (showing that you are immunized against HEP B, C) and HIV test, and results of Chest X-Ray
• Europass CV in English
• Motivation letter (introduction plus field of interest, etc.) in 3000 to 3500 character