Study location	Hungary, Debrecen
Type	Doctoral, full degree studies
Nominal duration	8 semesters (240 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	PhD
Course code	Social Science

Entry qualification	Master diploma (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. You must take the original entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university.

Language requirements

English English language proficiency equivalent to CEFR level C1 accepted certificates: TOEFL 590/IELTS 7.0 any proctored exam on level C1, eg. Duolingo, EFSET Certificate on English medium of instruction In case of a missing certificate about the English language proficiency, we conduct a Skype interview and a written English placement test in order to check the applicant’s English language skills.

Other requirements

A motivation letter must be added to your application. Statement by the supervisor must be uploaded (including a preliminary research proposal signed by the supervisor and the head of the school). For the PhD application you need to write a research plan (minimum 2 pages, typed with Times New Roman 12 point font size letters, written in the language of the selected study programme). You can search for possible research topics at this website: doktori.hu/index.php?menuid=116&lang=EN. Please choose the University of Debrecen, your chosen Doctoral School and just announced as a deadline. If you cannot find the Professor’s email address on this site, please copy their name in the University’s phonebook: unideb.hu/en/telefonkonyv If a Professor agrees to be your supervisor, please ask them to issue a document for you with this information. Please upload this document to the application platform as it is a compulsory document for PhD applications.

More information	edu.unideb.hu/p/legal-studies-phd

Overview

Program description:
The Géza Marton Doctoral School of Legal Studies at the University of Debrecen started its first semester in 2006. One of the aims of our doctoral program is to contribute to the education of the next generation of academics in the area of law at a high standard. Further, in the long run, we also intend to satisfy the increasing demand for PhD degrees to be an indication of the capability for a high level of abstraction, as well as of the knowledge and talent necessary for the application of the findings of academic research. Related to the above, we intend to develop the ability of candidates for (primarily applied) research, who will then, at a later stage in their careers, be able to put their high standard of knowledge to use in the appropriate area of administration or legal practice. We develop skills in capable individuals that enable them to use empirical and other academic research methods in a targeted and full-fledged manner, and to produce book-length, original publications in specific areas of scholarship. As a sign of our respect for the juridical traditions of Debrecen, on 1 September 2011 our doctoral school adopted the name of Géza Marton, legal scholar, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and former professor of the university. We offer an accredited full-time English PhD program to our PhD students, and the topics offered by our PhD supervisors covers almost all fields of legal studies. You can find more information about our doctoral school and doctoral program at our English homepage.

Entry requirements:
Relevant Master degree from the field of Law

Entrance exam:
Yes

Type of entrance exam:
oral

Entrance exam location:
Electronic

Entrance exam description:
The professional evaluation of the educational materials (degree, transcripts, results) and the research topic is the task of the relevant Doctoral School. This evaluation is followed by a Skype interview with one of the professors of the Faculty, which aims to check the applicant’s level of motivation, language skills and professional knowledge. (In case of a missing certificate about the English language proficiency we conduct a Skype interview in order to check the applicant’s English language skills.)

Contact:
Ms Lilla Fónai
Admissions Officer
fonai.lilla@edu.unideb.hu

Preparatory year available:
No

Specialisation year available:
No

Programme structure

From the beginning of academic year 2016/2017 (September 2016), the duration of doctoral studies is 2+2 years. In the first two years students are obliged to take certain number of core and optional courses (at our doctoral school, students are obliged to pass 10 courses in the first 4 semesters: 4 core and 6 optional courses) and do research as well. At the end of every semester student is obliged to submit a detailed research report containing all of his/her professional research activity (conference presentations, papers, etc.).
At the end of the first stage (in the exam period of the 4th semester) there is a so-called complex examination with two separate parts: general knowledge of the research area and methodology of legal research (part I) and evaluation of the student’s research activity in the first 4 semesters (part II). If the complex examination is successful, student can continue his/her studies.
In the second part of the PhD program there are no courses, only research activity must be done. It is expected that at the end of the 8th semester the dissertation should be completed and the defense process can be started (or, if it is possible, completed). Doctoral dissertation can be submitted after a successful preliminary debate organized by the doctoral school. (Preliminary debate is valid if at least 5 experts holding PhD, CSc or DSc titles evaluate the dissertation.)
Language requirements at the end of the 8th semester: PhD students need two different (one at least B2 level and one at least B1 level) state-accredited international language exams. English shall be the first language (at least B2 level). The second language (at least B1 level) could be Hungarian, the mother language and any other existing language, esperanto and similiars excluded