In 1993, following Hungary’s adherence to the Bologna Process, the Anglo–American model of doctoral education ending with a PhD degree was introduced as a well–pronounced third cycle of higher education (the other two being the Bachelor and Master levels) that is to serve the education of future generations of scientists.
Doctoral education is about getting prepared for a research career and thus offers an opportunity to acquire the theoretical, methodological and communication skills that are instrumental to writing the doctoral dissertation and to meeting the necessary requirements.
Doctoral education at the same time marks the beginning of a long process of socialization: it is a decisive phase in getting introduced to the academic form of life. Up to now around 1500 students have obtained a PhD degree at the Corvinus University of Budapest or one of its legal predecessors and there are several hundred students who are currently getting ready for the submission of their doctoral dissertation. This study guide is intended mainly for students who began their studies after 1 September 2016 in the so–called „new type” of doctoral education. It contains all the basic information that is needed to find one’s way in the world of the Corvinus Doctoral Schools.
Corvinus Doctoral Schools (CDS): Umbrella organization coordinating doctoral programs at the Corvinus University of Budapest. The most important tasks of CDS are to facilitate the effective functioning of the professionally autonomous doctoral schools, to ensure smooth communication, efficient administration and educational management, to maintain the competitiveness of the education of future generations of scientists. CDS is headed by a Director General who is also the Chairman of the Doctoral Cabinet.
Doctoral Cabinet (DC): Consultative body composed of the Heads and Program Directors of the Doctoral Schools. It gives an opinion on regulatory, budgetary and strategic matters related to the Corvinus Doctoral Schools. The Cabinet also prepares the upcoming meeting of the University Doctoral Council.
University Doctoral Office (UDO): Organizational unit in charge of the administration of doctoral education overall, including both service centre activities and office functions, among others it deals with the administration of the doctoral admission procedure, registration, course registration, the comprehensive exam and the public PhD defence. It keeps official records, issues documents and certificates.
University Doctoral Council (UDC): The supreme decision making body responsible for doctoral education. It is comprised of the Heads, Program Directors of the Doctoral Schools, their delegates as well as external experts. The Council meets twice each semester and takes decisions on matters like admissions to doctoral schools, on the composition of the Evaluation Committees of public defences and on awarding the PhD degree.
Secretariats of the Council of Doctoral School (CDS Secretariats): The operation of each doctoral school is supervised by a Council elected by the Core Members of the Doctoral School. The Secretariats provide administrative support to these bodies, as well as to the Heads and Program Directors of the Doctoral Schools. They are in charge of organizing the defence of the thesis proposal, handle applications from students, coordinate the administration of credit request forms, provide information, they also represent the main forum for liaising with students and lecturers.