Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctoral School of Earth Sciences offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth Sciences, a degree program that provides students with advanced knowledge and research skills in the field of earth sciences.

Program Details

• Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Earth Sciences
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Doctoral
• Accreditation number: OH-FHF/883-4/2010
• Faculty: Faculty of Science
• Institute: Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences
• Department: ELTE Doctoral School of Earth Sciences
• Language: English
• Duration: 8 semesters (4 years)
• ECTS credits: 240
• Minimum number of students: 1
• Maximum number of students: 5

Research Areas

The program focuses on the following research areas:

• Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Environmental and Landscape Geography, Geography of Hungary and Central&Eastern Europe, Carpathian Basin, Human Geography, History of Geography, Ethnical Geography, Regional Science, Regional Planning, Urban Studies, Geoinformatics in Geography and Spatial Research
• Dynamic and Synoptic Meteorology, Boundary Layer Meteorology, Climatology, Climate Modelling, Agroclimatology, Statistical Climatology
• Geology and Geophysics (Physical and Applied Geology, Hidrogeology, Urban Geology, Petrology, Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Lithology, Paleontology, Volcanology, Sedimentology, Geophysics, Space Science, Geoinformatics in Earth Sciences)
• Cartography and Geoinformatics (Thematic Cartography, Mathematics in Cartography, Webcartography, History of Cartography, Toponymy, Geoinformatics in Cartography)

Program Structure

The program consists of two phases:

• Education and research phase (4 semesters): Credits to be gained: 108-132 credits (including 36 compulsory credits from courses and 2 compulsory credits from written report)
• Research and thesis writing phase (4 semesters): Credits to be gained: 108-132 credits

Modules

• Training Module (courses): Includes theoretical courses, laboratory works, and field studies
• Research module (individualised research with supervisor): Focuses on personalized research projects

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program can pursue careers in:

• Academic career (universities, research institutes)
• Governmental career (international organizations, ministries, regional and local authorities)
• Business career (firms: environmental protection, meteorology, mining, cartography, geo-informatics, urban and regional planning etc.)

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: HUF 1 000 000 (if the research is performed at the Faculty) or HUF 300 000 (if the research is performed outside of the Faculty)
• Non-EU/EEA students: 4000 EUR (if the research is performed at the Faculty) or 1500 EUR (if the research is performed outside of the Faculty)
• Application fee: 9000 HUF (non-refundable)

Admission Requirements

• Language requirements: An internationally accredited language examination is required with at least a B2 CEFR level or equivalent result
• Documents to submit with application:
  • Online application form
  • Master-level degree
  • Transcript of records
  • CV
  • Language certificate
  • Research plan
  • Statement of Supervisor
  • Proof of application fee transfer
  • Letter of recommendation (optional)
  • Copy of the main pages of the passport (optional)
  • Passport photo (optional)
  • Reference work (optional)
  • Motivation letter (optional)
• Application procedure: The application starts at the online application system, and students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents, and follow the instructions during the application process
• Entrance examination: The application package is reviewed by the admission committee, and the applicant is expected to take an oral entrance examination
• Criteria for ranking in the admission procedure:
  1. Previous university achievements (examinations, comprehensive examinations, qualification of degree)
  2. Achievements related to previous research work (awards obtained in students’ academic circles, publications in the particular professional area)
  3. The feasibility of the research program

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program leader: Prof. Dr. Gábor Timár, Head of Doctoral School
• Program coordinator: Mr. Péter MOLNÁR, International Coordinator

Additional Information

• Start program: 01, Sep, 2026
• Deadline for applications - September intake: 31, May, 2026
• Is there a February intake: No
• Offered for the next academic year: Yes