Philosophy

Description

Doctoral School of the School of Humanities is an umbrella-institution that coordinates doctoral education in the Humanities at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, a comprehensive Polish research university. Covering a wide set of disciplines, from archaeology, cultural and religious studies, philosophy, history, history of art to philosophy and theology, the Doctoral School prepares its candidates to conduct cutting-edge research at an international level. Our doctoral candidates are offered a comprehensive training in all the practical aspects of academic work from teaching competences, academic writing and presentation skills to academic career management expertise.

Discipline: Philosophy

Doctoral candidates have the opportunity to receive substantive support from prestigious researchers to shape international scientific discourse, publish in leading scientific journals such as Nature, Research Evaluation or Higher Education, and publish books in Routledge class publications.

The Faculty of Philosophy is a world-class research centre allowing doctoral students to immerse into the world of science and international research projects related to humanities and social sciences (research on communication, political philosophy, and history of philosophy or philosophy of science). 

Recruitment:

Selection Committee

Schedule of the Doctoral School enrolment procedure: 

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR. 

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or English language. 

Required documents:

Candidates applying based on exceptional academic achievements must include a scan of the following:  

             1) For first-cycle graduates: the diploma and supplement. 

             2) For students completing the third year of a unified master’s programme: a certificate indicating their academic average from years 1 to 3, along with a transcript. 

Candidates educated outside Poland must additionally submit: 

1)    A scan of a document certifying education – a diploma with a diploma supplement for first- and second-cycle studies (Bachelor’s, MSc, or MA degrees) in the original language; if the document is not in English, a copy of the diploma in English or Polish, or a certified translation of the diploma into English or Polish, shall also be provided;

2)    A scan of a diploma or certificate confirming knowledge of a modern foreign language at a level of at least B2;  

3)    A scan of a passport, in the case of foreign nationals.

 Evaluation criteria

1)   The grade obtained in second-cycle studies or a uniform master’s degree programme (no more than 3 points); the candidate shall receive:

a)      3 points for a grade of at least very good or equivalent;

b)      2 points for a grade of good plus or equivalent;

c)       1 point for a grade of good or equivalent;

d)      3 points in the case of candidates applying for admission on the basis of the highest quality of scientific achievements (e.g. leadership of a project under the “Pearls of Science” programme).

In the absence of a diploma grade, the average grade from the course of studies shall be taken into account.

2)   Points for maximum three documented scientific achievements, in accordance with the detailed criteria for the candidate’s achievements, attached during electronic registration in the IRK system; no more than 22 points may be awarded.

3)   Points for other documented activities, based on a maximum of three achievements, in accordance with the detailed criteria for the candidate’s achievements in a given discipline; no more than 5 points may be awarded.

4)    Points for a research project prepared for the purposes of admission, and in the case of admission conducted in connection with the implementation of a research project – an original concept for the implementation of a grant project (no more than 20 points), with particular emphasis on:

a)     the ability to formulate the research objective and present the research problem;

b)     the originality of the research idea and the ability to select an appropriate method for solving the research problem;

c)      methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline;

d)     knowledge of existing research, supported by a basic bibliography;

e)     the significance of the project for the development of the chosen discipline;

f)       risk analysis of research tasks.

5)    The result of the interview, the scope of which shall include:

a)    knowledge and competences appropriate to the chosen discipline;

b)    elements of research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline.

No more than 50 points may be awarded for the interview, and the maximum duration of the interview shall be 30 minutes.

Detailed admission criteria 2026/2027

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

A condition for admission to the doctoral school is inclusion on the ranking list within the limit of places for a given scientific discipline and the attainment of at least 60 points in the entire admissions process, including no fewer than 30 points form interview. 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education is conducted on the basis of a curriculum and an individual research plan, and concludes with the submission of a doctoral thesis. The doctoral school curriculum comprises a catalogue of compulsory, compulsory elective, and optional modules.    

Start of studies: 1 October 2026. 

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).

Scholarships

Each doctoral student receives a scholarship in the amount of PLN 3570,50  gross for the first two years of studies (before the mid-term evaluation) and PLN 5500,50 gross  for two years following mid-term evaluation (maximum 4 years). Disability allowance: PLN 1071,15 gross.

The amount should be reduced by 11,26% due to ZUS (social insurance) contributions.

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2025/2026, Appendix to Resolution No. 46/2024/2025 of UAM Senate of 27 January, 2025.