Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctoral School of Physics at Eötvös Loránd University offers a PhD program in Physics, providing students with the opportunity to engage in research-oriented studies under the guidance of experienced supervisors. The program is designed to foster academic excellence and prepare students for successful careers in physics research.

Program Structure

• The program consists of 8 semesters (4 years) and requires the completion of 240 ECTS credits.
• Students are required to attend 8 courses in the first two years and complete the corresponding exams.
• The program is divided into three thematic research areas:
  • Materials Science and Solid State Physics
  • Particle Physics and Astronomy
  • Statistical Physics, Biological Physics, and the Physics of Quantum Systems

Admission Requirements

• A master's degree in physics or a closely related field is a mandatory requirement.
• An internationally accredited language examination with at least a B2 CEFR level or equivalent result is required.
• Examples of minimum level accepted include TOEFL iBT 72 pts and IELTS 5.5.
• Alternatively, an official certificate issued by the applicant's previous higher education institution can be accepted, stating that the applicant's previous education was completed entirely in English.

Documents to Submit with Application

• Online application form
• Bachelor-level degree (optional)
• Master-level degree
• Transcript of records
• CV
• Research plan
• Statement of Supervisor
• Language certificate
• Proof of application fee transfer
• Letter of recommendation (optional)
• Motivation letter (optional)
• Copy of the main pages of the passport (optional)
• Passport photo (optional)
• Medical certificate (optional)
• Reference work (optional)

Application Procedure

• Well before the deadline, visit the official website of the Hungarian Doctoral Council to find the names and homepages of supervisors and a list of thesis topics.
• Contact a potential supervisor via email and agree on a topic suitable for the student's interests and research experience.
• Prepare a research plan, which should be submitted and signed by both the supervisor and the student.
• Fill in the online application form and submit all required documents by the deadline.

Entrance Examination

• The application is examined by the Admission Board during May and June, and applicants are notified of the outcome in July.
• Admission letters are sent out in the online application system until August 1.
• The entrance examination is oral and takes place electronically.
• Criteria for ranking at the admission procedure include previous university achievements, research work, and the feasibility of the research plan.

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: HUF 1,000,000 per semester if research is performed at the Faculty, and HUF 300,000 per semester if research is performed outside of the Faculty.
• Non-EU/EEA students: 4,000 EUR per semester if research is performed at the Faculty, and 1,500 EUR per semester if research is performed outside of the Faculty.
• Application fee: 9,000 HUF (non-refundable).

Career Opportunities

• Graduates apply successfully for postdoctoral positions worldwide and later obtain tenure or tenure-track positions at universities or research institutes.
• Some students pursue research careers in non-academic environments, such as large international research institutions, tied to high-tech development.
• Job examples include research associate, research scientist, program developer, and university professor.

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program leader: Prof. Dr. Gergely PALLA, Head of the Doctoral School of Physics.
• Program coordinator: Mr. Péter MOLNÁR, International Coordinator.