About the programme
PhD studies are possible in all biology disciplines currently pursued in the biology departments of the Faculty of Science of the University of Szeged and at the Biological Research Centre of HAS Szeged, with special emphasis on molecular and experimental fields. The major fields are anthropology, biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, ecology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, and plant biology. A four-year scholarship for the PhD studies is sponsored by governmental and non-governmental organisations. The Departments of the University of Szeged and the research groups of the Biological Research Centre maintain close cooperation with laboratories both in Europe and overseas.
Some research areas: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Biotechnology; Physiology and Neurobiology; Genetics; Microbiology; Plant Biology; Human Biology; Ecology and Evolution; For more research topics please consult the programme website.
Level of the programme: PhD
Duration of the programme: 4+4 semesters
Registered in: EU
Credits: 240
Who should apply?
We expect applicants to be interested in the research programmes published on our website.
Application requirements: submitted online application form, MSc degree in a related field, demonstrated proficiency in English , CV in English, individual interview in person or online during which the applicant\'s motivation and research proposal will be examined, and a recent medical certificate of satisfactory general health status (not older than 1 month) and payment of the compulsory fees.
Language requirement: TELC/ECL B2, TOEFL IBT – 72, or RPDT score 72, Cambridge FC B, IELT S – 5.5, LanguageCert B2 level. If the medium of instruction was English during the Msc studies, the MSc diploma can be accepted as language exam certificate for the entry requirement. For this purpose a document issued by the university has to be uploaded until the application deadline certifying that the medium of instruction was English during the master studies. If this document is missing or uploaded after deadline, the master degree cannot substitute the language exam certificate and the application will be rejected. In order to submit the dissertation at the end of the doctoral programme, the diplomas obtained outside the European Union must be acknowledged by the Hungarian Equivalence and Information Center (HEIC). The process to obtain this document is the student's responsibilty.
Please choose a topic proposal and contact the doctoral school and the supervisor before submitting your application.
Exemption from English language exam certificate: During the application to the programmes of the Faculty of Science and Informatics those applicants are not required to provide the English language exam certificates who are natives of one of the following countries and can officially demonstrate that their academic studies have been conducted in English. For the list of countries click here.
If the medium of instruction was English during the Msc studies, the MSc diploma can be accepted as language exam certificate for the entry requirement. For this purpose a document issued by the university has to be uploaded until the application deadline certifying that the medium of instruction was English during the master studies. If this document is missing or uploaded after deadline, the master degree cannot substitute the language exam certificate and the application will be rejected. In order to submit the dissertation at the end of the doctoral programme, the diplomas obtained outside the European Union must be acknowledged by the Hungarian Equivalence and Information Center (HEIC). The process to obtain this document is the student's responsibilty.
Start of the programme: February & September of each year
Tuition fee: 5000 EUR / semester
Application fee: 79 EUR
Entrance Exam fee: 100 EUR
Scholarship: Scholarships are available to cover the tuition fee (e.g., Stipendium Hungaricum, for details see the website of Tempus Public Foundation).
For further information visit our website or contact Prof. Csaba Vagvolgyi via e-mail or call +36-62-544-822.
*Academic Records: an official English version OR translation of your full Master’s transcript including an explanation of the grading system, and an official English version OR translation of your Master’s degree.
Tamerlan Mendybayev – Faculty of Agriculture
My name is Tamerlan Mendybayev. I am from capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan. Currently I am first year student at the Faculty of Agriculture. I chose the University of Szeged as my study destination for several reasons: firstly, it is a well-known applied science institution in Europe and the best in Hungary. Secondly, the program is designed with a significant focus on the developing practical skills of the students and there is a University pilot farm where students keen their skills and implement their knowledge in practice. Undoubtedly, University of Szeged is a place where students become professionals in their academic field.
Ahmad Adha - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
I am Ahmad Adha from Indonesia and currently a 3rd year student in Theoretical Linguistics PhD program. I chose the University of Szeged (SZTE) as my study destination because it is located in the center of the town and it is also the highest ranked university in Hungary. The university staff and the professors were very accommodating and understanding when I decided to change the program that suits my research topic. I am so glad that I can be a part of my current department, and of course SZTE, since it is also the Center of Pragmatic Research which aims to promote advanced linguistic pragmatic research with international collaborations. After graduating, I wish to continue to work in my academic field as a professor and a researcher. My advice for prospective SZTE students is to choose a university with a good academic reputation that fits their passion.