Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I subscribe/unsubscribe to/from the (old) PhD students mailing list?

You can subscribe/unsubscribe via the following link: https://lists.ch.bme.hu/mailman/listinfo/doktorans

Which two phases is the PhD training composed of?

The PhD training consists of 4 terms for training and research and an additional 4 terms for research and the dissertation (BME-TVSZ 174. § (2)).

Which matters does the HBDT (Habilitation Committee and Doctoral Council) make decisions about?

complex exam applications
request for acceptance of a submitted publication for complex exam
appointing of Evaluation Committee for pubic PhD defense following PhD thesis submission
formally accepting public PhD defense results
request for extension of PhD thesis submission deadline
recognition (nostrification) of a doctoral degree obtained abroad
matters regarding habilitation procedures

What matters does the DIT (Council of the Doctoral School) make decisions about?

formal acceptance of PhD admissions results
requests to change PhD topic or supervisor
request for acceptance of a submitted publication for absolutorium

What matters does the DTB (Doctoral Study Committee) make decisions about?

utólagos passzív félév kérelmek
indokolt esetben két féléven felüli passzív félév engedélyezése
kreditelfogadtatási kérelmek
bármlyen tanulmányi kérdés amiben a TVSZ vagy a DHSZ nem jelölt ki másik bizottságot

What obligations do I have at the beginning of each semester?

During registration week, PhD students have to register for the new semester, selecting either "Active" or "Passive" status. This has to be done in the Neptun Education System.

By the end of the third week of their first semester, PhD students must submit a work plan approved by their supervisor. In each of the following semesters, PhD students must submit their work plan (for the new semester) and a research report (about the previous semester) by the end of registration week. (BME's Code of Studies Section 177 (1)).

If a student fails to submit the work plan by the end of the fifth week of the term at the latest, the term in question shall be classified as a passive term. (BME's Code of Studies Section 177 (2)).

Work plans and research reports must be submitted via the Microsoft Forms link shared by the Secretary of the Doctoral School at the start of term.

I cannot register for the new term in Neptun as it does not appear in my account. What shall I do?

Check to see whether you are viewing the details of the correct course in Neptun. (Navigate to the drop-down list in the top left of the page to switch between your courses). The course code and type may have changed following your complex exam.

How many passive semesters am I allowed to take?

In each of the two phases of the PhD course (before and after the complex exam, respectively), a maximum of two passive semesters is allowed. The two passive semesters may be used consecutively. (CoS Section 185 (1))

How many credits do I have to obtain each semester? Is there a limit to the number of credits I can take?

If the student fails to collect at least 15 credits in the active term, the student status of the doctoral student shall be terminated. (CoS Section 186 (1) 2.)

In one term up to forty-five credits may be earned in the training and research phase and up to sixty in the research and dissertation phase. Recognised credits are not included in this. (CoS Section 177 (6))

Students with a Hungarian State Scholarship who do not complete 2/3 of the credits of the recommended curriculum for a given term may be reclassified to a self-financed programme from the following term onwards by the decision of the Dean made before the start of the registration week, upon the recommendation of the Doctoral School Council. (DHSZ Section 13 (8))

What requirements must be met in order to take the complex exam?

Fulfilling the requirement for the "first language" (see BME DHSZ) of the foreign language requirement for the doctoral degree.
At least one accepted publication in a journal listed in the Web of Science and/or Scopus (Elsevier) databases or a registered patent.*
Documented delivery of at least one presentation (poster or lecture).
Acquisition of all the required credits included in the recommended curriculum in the first four semesters of the doctoral programme (i.e. 120 credits in total) spread over the semesters as required

If the publication/patent has not yet been accepted, you can request the HBDT to examine the contents of the submitted publication. If the contents are found to be satisfactory, the publication requirement of the complex exam is met. You can download the request form here: Request for acceptance of a submitted publication for complex exam.

How do I apply for the complex exam? How do I organise my complex exam?

Click here for detailed information about complex exams.

Following the complex exam, how much time do I have for submitting my thesis?

The doctoral thesis shall be submitted by the doctoral student within three academic years following the complex exam. This deadline may be extended by a maximum of one academic year - based on a decision of the HBDT - in cases that deserve special consideration and are regulated by Section 45 (2) of the Higher Education Act. (DHSZ Section 18 (1))

Do I need a language exam certificate in a second foreign language to be awarded the PhD title?

You do not need to prove language proficiency in any other foreign language apart from English.

My third publication will not be accepted by the end of my 8th semester. What should I do?

If, at the end of the 8th active semester, a student still does not have a third accepted publication, but has two accepted publications (published in an English-language journal in a Web of Science and/or Scopus (Elsevier) database with an impact factor, with the candidate's contribution being over 50%), they may submit a request for the DIT to evaluate and accept the submitted publication and to award the Publication III grade. This way the publication requirements will be met for absolutorium. The DIT can only evaluate and accept ONE submitted publication.

There is a special case in which absolutorium can be awarded for two articles:

If the candidate has a significant contribution in two original articles in journals listed in the Web of Science and/or Scopus (Elsevier) database, and their impact factor sum is 8 or higher, or according to Clarivate or Scimago one of them has at least a D1 and the other at least a Q2 ranking, 10 credit points should also be awarded for the Publications 3 subject.

In the special case above: If a student already has an accepted D1 publication, a publication which could be accepted as their third publication, and a manuscript which has been submitted to a journal with at least Q2 ranking, they may request the DIT to evaluate and accept their submitted article. If the DIT accepts this request, Publication II and Publication III grades will both be awarded.

How many publications do I need to be awarded the PhD title?

The PhD thesis must be based on 3 journal articles containing original research findings, published (or documented as accepted for publication) in an English-language journal in a Web of Science and/or Scopus (Elsevier) database with an impact factor, in which the candidate's contribution is significant (over 50%). One granted patent may also be accepted as a publication.