Accredited doctoral study programmes
General pre-conditions for admission into PhD studies
The condition of admission is the successful completion of the second stage of university study in the relevant field of study according to the fields listed below. The candidate registers for one of the listed thesis topics for a specific supervisor. The lists of topics and supervisors will be published on www.pdf.umb.sk after March 31, 2022.
The applicant for doctoral studies is obliged to enter in the application a foreign language from which he / she will take the entrance examination (English, French, Russian, German).
The applicant shall attach to the application:
‒ A preliminary project of focus and research of the future dissertation thesis, which demonstrates knowledge of the subject, research methodology and knowledge of the topic content (in two duplicates),
‒ An overview of his/her previous scientific and publishing activity, listing all current activities related to scientific activity or topic of the thesis (participation in research and other projects, participation and placement in SVOUČ (university scientific or art competition), active presentations at conferences and seminars, education completed, other activities of the applicant related to the chosen field of study), a list of own publications including professional publishing on websites, foreign internships and stays at relevant institutions, including Erasmus, volunteering activities, etc.
The condition for acceptance is a successful completion of the admission test in three parts:
- Defense of the dissertation project – research methodology according to the field of study and the topic of the thesis, namely: knowledge of selected methodological procedures, methods and research tools, principles and risks of their use, terminological correctness of methodological concepts, previous use of research tools on given topic, knowledge of methodological literature.
- Defense of the dissertation project - expert knowledge of the relevant study field, respectively its subdisciplines, which includes the topic of the thesis, namely: knowledge of approaches to the topic and relevant conceptions, the current state of the research, the literature on the topic as well as the interdisciplinary knowledge related to the topic of the thesis
- Knowledge of a foreign language, which allows independent study of foreign literature and especially ability to communicate in a foreign language, ability to communicate professionally on the topic of the thesis, ability to understand a professional text.
Education Sciences (PhD.)* a new study program that is in the process of accreditation.
Admission to doctoral studies in the study program Education Sciences is based on the fulfillment of two conditions (while the faculty may determine for doctoral studies in individual study programs also other conditions of admission to this study approved after getting approvement by the Academic Senate of the faculty):
a) graduation from a second degree (Master’s) study program in the study field Social Sciences in Slovakia, or a comparable Bachelor's degree program abroad;
b) successful completion of the entrance examination.
For the study of the doctoral study program Educational Sciences in Education, developing skills related to the performance of this profession are required.
Furthermore, the applicant should have skills and competencies that will enable him/her to master the requirements of the third (Doctoral) level of higher education: systematized comprehensive content knowledge of educational sciences, ability to use acquired knowledge responsibly and independently in work and study situations and in professional and personal development, digital skills (f MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and MS PowerPoint).
In the study plan of the doctoral study program Educational Sciences, the subject Scientific Discourse in English is compulsory and, at the same time, part of the study literature in other subjects is in English, therefore the basic knowledge of English at intermediate level is necessary. * Note: the originally implemented doctoral study programs Andragogy (PhD.) And Pedagogy (PhD.) replace the new study program Educational Sciences (PhD.) in full-time and part-time form.
Description of the study programme (full-time)
Description of the study programme (part-time)
Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy (PhD.) - Students of the following degree programs may be enrolled in the study: Teaching for Primary School Education, Teaching for Primary Education and Preschool Education, exceptionally also of related study fields: Pedagogy, Social Pedagogy, Special Pedagogy, Leisure Education, as long as the applicant develops the issue of education of preschool children, respectively, younger school age children, in an interdisciplinary way.
Description of the study programme (full-time)
Description of the study programme (part-time)
Theology (PhD.) - Graduates of the 2nd grade of study in theology or related study fields with knowledge of biblical Hebrew and Greek can apply for study.
Description of the study programme (full-time)
Description of the study programme (part-time)
Social Work (PhD.) - Graduates of the 2nd degree of study of the study field of Social Work or of the following related study fields may be accepted for this study: Social Pedagogy, Sociology, Psychology, Treatment pedagogy, Nursing, Public Economics and Services.
Description of the study programme (full-time)
Description of the study programme (part-time)
Information about ‘small doctorate’ (called ‘rigorous’) procedureof PD UMB
The candidate may apply for a ‘small doctorate’ title procedure at the PF UMB in the study program, in which the faculty conducts so called rigorous thesis and examprocedures, leading to awarding the small doctorate title. The exams for the ‘small doctorate’ and defense of the ‘small doctorate’ thesis which is its precondition are governed by Act no. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education Institutions and on Amendments to Certain Acts and on the current directive at FE UMB in Banská Bystrica.
Graduates of the 2nd (Master) degree study programs can take a ‘small doctorate’ examination, which includes the defense of a thesis in the field of study in which they obtained their university degree. By means of this examination and the defense of athesis, the candidate has to prove on the basis of self-study that he / she has deeper knowledge in his / her field of study and is able to acquire new knowledge of science and practice independently and able to apply the acquired knowledge creatively in practice.
The Faculty of Education UMB has the right to conduct ‘small doctorate’ examinations and defense of a thesis in the following study programs:
- Teaching and Pedagogical Sciences
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Theology
After defending the thesis and passing an oral exam, the graduates are awarded:
a) the academic degree ‘Doctor of Education’ (abbreviated to ‘PaedDr.’) in the study programs of the study fields of Teaching and Pedagogical Sciences;
b) the academic title of Doctor of Philosophy' (abbreviated to ‘PhDr.’) in the study programs of the study fields Social Work and Psychology;
c) the academic title of ‘Doctor of Theology’ (‘ThDr.’) in the study program of the study field of Theology.
Full information on ‘small doctorate’ procedures at FE UMB can be found at https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/rigorozne-konanie.html.
ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS
Students of the Faculty of Education of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica have the possibility of accommodation in student homes. The student canteens provide dining options.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GRADUATES of FE UMB
Education Sciences (PhD.)* a new study program that is in the process of accreditation. – The graduate is ready to work independently as an assistant professor - a university employee, a researcher in the field of education, an analyst in the field of education and a manager in the field of education. During the study, he/she develops competencies in the following key professional areas: general knowledge of the field and work areas; biodromal and wider socializing factors at the level of the individual and groups; inclusive and individualized approaches; diagnosis, intervention, correction and prevention; didactic competencies; advisory, managerial and leadership competencies; leisure and civic education; scientific research competencies; legislative, economic and ethical contexts of professions; communication and presentation; professional reflection, engagement. The program also focuses on the development of the following transferable competencies of the graduates: critical thinking, digital literacy, professional English, soft-skills, moral and ethical values. The graduate of the study program can apply in tertiary education (college, university); in governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of education (eg The National Institute for Education, The Institute of Educational Policy, Slovak Governance Institute, Center for the Research of Ethnicity and Culture, Center for Economic and Social Analysis); in private educational and analytical organizations and companies; but also as a self-employed person in the education services sector.
*Note: the employment of graduates of the new study program is similar to the profile of graduates of the original study programs Andragogy (PhD.) And Pedagogy (PhD.).
Pre-primary and Primary Pedagogy (PhD.) – The graduates of the third degree of this university study program are competent to carry out research and development activities and the conceptual design in the field of preschool and elementary pedagogy and education, work as a university teacher. They are able to teach and to lead further training of teachers of kindergartens and primary schools.
Theology (PhD.) – The graduates of the third degree of this university study program are competent to carry out conceptual theological and scientific activities; conceptual professional theological activities in the area of theological theory and its practice; as well as explaining the Christian worldview based on professional exegesis of the Bible. They are ready to carry out leadership positions in the church and para-church, diaconal and ecumenical institutions and organizations. They can teach theological subjects at university level and take positions of professional staff to teach and prepare the specialized workers for church and religious organizations. They are capable to comprehend the relationship between natural sciences, humanities and theological sciences. They are competent to carry out research in theology and related fields. From the personality point of view, they are well educated both in science and faith, and they have a broader insight into issues of current philosophical and theological and ethical debate. They are able to process this information in a logical and sensitive way as well as to argument and to publicly respond to the controversial ethical and social issues relating to the Christian faith, religion and culture.
Social Work (PhD.) – The graduates of the third degree of this university study program are competent to carry out scientific and research activities and the conceptual project design focusing on solving social problems at micro, mezzo and macro level within the resort of Ministry of social affairs and family, Ministry of education, science, research and sport, Ministry of health, Ministry of interior and Ministry of social justice. The main focus of employment of graduates is in the area of science, research, or various other strategic, conceptual, program and project activities. They are also prepared to work in the field of higher education.
FAQ/Answers
How to Apply
What documents are required?
Applicant have to send official application via mail with diploma (High school leaving certificate) to the Ministry of education, Ministry of Foreign affairs, Ministry of Justice and Slovak Embassy with request for recognition (degree has to be superlegalized).
What is the admission/enrolment process?
Submitting an electronic application and send the signed application with attachments by post.
Language
What language is this course taught in?
English