Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctoral School of Literary Studies offers a doctoral program in Literary and Cultural Studies, with the goal of preparing students for obtaining their PhD degree through the acquisition of latest research methodologies, participation in conferences, and teaching expertise in higher education.

Program Details

• Title: Doctoral School of Literary Studies
• Degree: Doctor (PhD) of Literary and Cultural Studies
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Doctoral
• Accreditation number: MAB 2017/6/IX/4/2/1073
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Language: English
• Duration: 4+4 semesters (2+2 years)
• ECTS credits: 240
• Minimum number of students: 1
• Maximum number of students: 20

Program Structure

The program offers doctoral studies in the following fields:

• Literary Theory and Cultural Studies
• Comparative Literature
• The Hungarian and European Renaissance
• The Hungarian Baroque
• The Hungarian and European Enlightenment
• Romanticism
• Hungarian Modernism
• Hungarian Literature after 1945
• The Folklore and Literature of the Uralic Peoples
• Library and Information Science
• Hungarian and Comparative Folklore
• Medieval and Early Modern English Literature and Culture (only with C1 English knowledge)
• Modern English and American Literature and Culture (only with C1 English knowledge)
• American Studies (only with C1 English knowledge)
• French Literature
• Italian Literary and Cultural Studies
• Spanish and Portuguese Literatures
• Russian Literature and Literary Studies: a Comparative Approach
• Slavic Literatures
• Studies in German Literatures and Cultures
• Dutch and Scandinavian Studies

Career Opportunities

Having a doctoral degree from the various fields of literary studies prepares students for high-quality academic work, with special skills in languages and literary history, such as training to teach at university, and gives experiences in scholarly project work. Job examples include:

• Research Institutes
• Universities
• Museums
• Diplomacy
• Press and Media
• Publishing Companies

Admission Requirements

• Entry requirements: Master diploma (or higher) with a minimum qualification of 'good' or equivalent.
• Language requirements: Minimum level of language proficiency (oral) (A1-C2): B2, Minimum level of language proficiency (written) (A1-C2): B2.
• The American Studies, Medieval and Early Modern English Literature and Culture, and Modern English and American Literature and Culture Doctoral Programmes require C1 or higher language exam.
• Accepted English language exams:
  • TOEFL PBT (Paper-based test): 516-554
  • TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test): 66-82
  • TOEFL IBT Home Edition: 66-82
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.0
  • CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference): B2
  • Duolingo: 85
• Documents to submit with application:
  • Online application form
  • Master-level degree with good qualification or above
  • Academic CV
  • Research work plan (3-4 pages)
  • Letter of recommendation (2)
  • Copy of application fee transfer
  • Language certificate (B2 level or above)
  • Letter of acceptance from the future supervisor
  • List of publications (if available)

Application Procedure

The application starts in the online application system. 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.

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: HUF 200,000 per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: 2,600 EUR per semester, to be paid in HUF at the exchange rate valid on the day of payment
• Application fee: EUR 30 (non-refundable)

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program leader: Dr. Zoltán KULCSÁR-SZABÓ, Head of the Doctoral School of Literary Studies
• Program coordinator: Ms. Kinga FÜRTÖN, International PhD coordinator

Additional Information

• Start program: 01 September 2025
• Deadline for applications - September intake: 09 May 2025
• Is there a February intake: No
• Offered for the next academic year: Yes