What will you learn?

The objective of the doctoral degree study programme in the Study of Religions at Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts, is the systematic preparation for academic work in the study of religions or related fields. The programme involves original and creative work under the guidance of a supervisor. Students go through all stages of the research process, from designing a research project proposal, through collecting and analysing data, to publishing the results and writing a dissertation.

Career opportuities 

Graduates are qualified for positions in teaching and research in the study of religions and related fields; in non-governmental organizations focusing on minorities or intercultural translation; in state administration where the position requires knowledge of different cultures, religions, and ethnic groups and decision-making based on facts; in education; in the media; and in the translation of literature in the humanities and social sciences. They are also able to prepare grant applications in the public and private sectors.

In academia, graduates can offer outstanding and state-of-the-art orientation in the contemporary study of religions with respect to major recent international developments in theory and methodology; interdisciplinary thinking; skills relating to theoretically founded and empirically precise research; and experience in research, as well as teaching, publishing, and preparing grant applications and projects.

Employers outside academia will benefit from graduates’ analytical skills, their ability to work on demanding and long-term projects, their independent and critical thinking, and their skills in the preparation of well-founded materials for decision-making.

Admission requirements

Terms of Admission

1. Submission of an electronic application in the Masaryk University Information System.
2. Submission of the doctoral research project (in English) on the official form (available for download at /do/phil/Pracoviste/urelig/formulare/research-proposal.docx) by October 31st (for the expected enrollment in the Spring semester) or by April 30th (for the expected enrollment in the Autumn semester) accompanied by an academic curriculum vitae (in English) containing a list of publications (if applicable). These materials need to be submitted in digital form as part of the online application.
   

The admission procedure has two rounds. Based on the quality of the project, its compliance with the research profile of the department, and the availability of a suitable supervisor, projects can be shortlisted for the second round. The second round consists of a presentation of the project in front of the admission committee, followed by discussion and defense of the project. The time dedicated to the presentation is 15 minutes. A presentation in PowerPoint or another program is encouraged. Based on this interview and the availability of a potential supervisor, the admission committee decides about recommending or not the admission.

In addition, all applicants with foreign degrees (except as set out below) must submit their Master's degree for official recognition in the Czech Republic. Applicants without this official recognition are not permitted to enroll at the University. Detailed instructions can be found here .

• Holders of degrees from universities located in countries with which the Czech Republic has a treaty on the bilateral recognition of academic degrees and titles (at the present time: Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia), please find out more here .
• Holders of degrees from universities located in Slovakia should follow the instructions set out here .
  Important notice
  

It is recommended that you choose and contact your supervisor before sending your application. For more information, please contact doc. PhDr. David Zbíral, Ph.D. at david.zbiral@mail.muni.cz .