The aim of the third cycle of studies that leads to the Doctorate is to enable the student for scientific research in Philosophy “in which, for a period of at least three years, philosophical maturity is promoted, especially by means of writing a doctoral dissertation.

The objective is to help the students to deepen their knowledge of the current trends in the area of research.

To enable them to come up with original and insightful contribution to the area of doctoral research and to demonstrate clarity of thought and precision about their original insights.

To assist them in making scholarly presentations of their research topic both in National and International conferences as part of the faculty’s network with other institutions of higher education.

Programme Requirements

The doctoral programme consists of two parts.

The purpose of the first part of the doctoral studies programme, which lasts for six months, is twofold: to ensure the capacity of the candidate to do research and to enable him/her to do the preparatory work in the area in which he/she desires to do research. The first part consists of:

1. a.The orientation programme;
2. b.The study of required languages;
3. c.Writing two research papers of 7000 to 8000 words each related to the area of one’s doctoral research under two guides within six months;
4. d.Passing the candidacy examination with a minimum grade of B+, in which a two-member board consisting of both guides will examine the student orally for one hour on the basis of the two research papers

The second part of the doctoral studies programme intends to help the student to do independent scholarly research with the guidance of his/her guide, thus to make an original contribution to the particular area of research through writing the dissertation, defending it and publishing it at least in part. The second part consists of:

1. a.Submitting doctoral dissertation proposal to the chairperson of the doctoral committee within three monthfrom the time the candidacy examination is held, which includes the aim of the dissertation, the method to be employed and the guide suggested for the doctoral dissertation;
2. b.Writing a doctoral dissertation under a guide which must be composed according to the norms of scholarship, of 60,000 words minimum if it is a systematic study and of 100,000 words minimum if its is a historical study;
3. c.Presenting a paper related to the student’s doctoral research in the doctoral colloquim of the respective faculties before submitting his/her doctoral dissertation;
4. d.Public defence of the dissertation before a board of three examiners’
5. e.Publication, at least in part, of the doctoral dissertation in order to obtain the doctoral degree.

During the tenure of the doctoral programme, the doctoral student reports to the chairperson of the doctoral committee the progress of his/her research every year on or before 30 March. The annual report of the research progress should also include a timeline of further research and be approved by his/her guide.

The doctoral student may be asked to assist permanent faculty in teaching courses of the First Cycle programe in Philosophy.