University of Silesia in Katowice

Humanities and Theology (17):

• Philosophy
• History
• Linguistics
• Literary Studies
• Culture and Religion Studies
• Arts Studies
• Theological Sciences
• Polish Studies

The Arts (3):

• Film and Theatre Arts
• Musical Arts
• Fine Arts and Art Conservation

Exact and Natural Sciences and Engineering and Technology:

• Computer Science (2)
• Biomedical Engineering (1)
• Materials Engineering (2)
• Mathematics (2)
• Chemical Sciences (3)
• Physical Sciences (4)

Natural Sciences (10):

• Biological Sciences
• Earth and Environmental Sciences

Social Sciences (22):

• Social and Economic Geography and Spatial Management
• Communication and Media Studies
• Political Science and Administration
• Law
• Sociology
• Pedagogy
• Psychology

Enrollment limits are provided in parentheses next to the research areas, and in the case of Exact and Natural Sciences and Engineering and Technology, next to the specific disciplines.

Recruitment will take place between June 1 and September 30, 2026 – a detailed recruitment schedule will be published soon

Recruitment criteria vary depending on the recruitment area, and in the cases of Exact and Natural Sciences, as well as Engineering and Technology, they are separate for each discipline.

The primary recruitment process consists of two stages: the first stage involves an evaluation of the merit-based documents, and the second stage is an interview.

1. Common criteria for:

• Humanities and Theology,
• Natural Sciences,
• Social Sciences.

[Recruitment rules for the areas of: Humanities and Theology; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences; The Arts]

2. Criteria for The Arts (note: see paragraph 5 of the document)

[Recruitment rules for the areas of: Humanities and Theology; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences; The Arts]

Criteria for Exact and Natural Sciences and Engineering and Technology:

• Computer Science: [Recruitment rules for the discipline of Computer Science]
• Biomedical Engineering: [Recruitment rules for the discipline of Biomedical Engineering]
• Materials Engineering: [Recruitment rules for the discipline of Materials Engineering]
• Mathematics: [Recruitment rules for the discipline of Mathematics]
• Chemical Sciences: [Recruitment rules for the discipline of Chemical Sciences]
• Physical Sciences: [Recruitment rules for the discipline of Physical Sciences]

The Rector appoints the recruitment committee for the Doctoral School, as well as the area and discipline committees, before the start of the recruitment process. Each committee includes representatives of doctoral students. Within the period specified in the recruitment schedule, registered candidates may submit objections to the composition of a committee if the participation of a particular member raises justified doubts regarding their impartiality.

The compositions of the committees will be published after their appointment, no later than May 31, 2026.

The recruitment process is conducted electronically via the Online Candidate Registration system (IRK). All documents and information are accepted solely through this channel, via the university’s IT system.

Link to the IRK system: irk.us.edu.pl. Please note that registration is currently not yet visible in the system.

Applicable document templates and forms will be published here by the end of January 2026.

1. Areas: Humanities and Theology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences

List of required documents to be prepared and uploaded to the IT system:

• A copy of the diploma certifying the qualifications referred to in § 1 (more: Participation in recruitment before graduation);
• In the absence of a diploma – a certificate of the professional title awarded, issued by the awarding institution; if the candidate is admitted to the Doctoral School, the copy of the diploma must be submitted immediately upon receipt;
• In the case of graduation from a higher education institution abroad, the diploma or other document must be authenticated in the form of legalization or an apostille, accompanied by a sworn translation into Polish or English (if the document was issued in a language other than those mentioned);
• A draft research plan (max. 12,000 characters including spaces, excluding bibliography);
• A written opinion from a research worker of the University of Silesia in Katowice acting as the candidate’s academic supervisor, along with their consent to serve as the doctoral student’s supervisor or assistant supervisor; the opinion should concern the candidate’s previous achievements and their aptitude for research work;
• A written opinion from an additional academic teacher or research worker holding at least a doctoral degree;
• A list of the candidate’s scientific achievements;
• Documents confirming scientific achievements according to the rules specified in the document from point 5.

2. The Arts

• A copy of the diploma certifying the qualifications referred to in § 1 (more: Participation in recruitment before graduation);
• In the absence of a diploma – a certificate of the professional title awarded, issued by the awarding institution; if the candidate is admitted to the Doctoral School, the copy of the diploma must be submitted immediately upon receipt;
• In the case of graduation from a higher education institution abroad, the diploma or other document must be authenticated in the form of legalization or an apostille, accompanied by a sworn translation into Polish or English (if the document was issued in a language other than those mentioned);
• A draft research plan (max. 12,000 characters including spaces, excluding bibliography);
• A written opinion from a research worker of the University of Silesia in Katowice acting as the candidate’s academic supervisor, along with their consent to serve as the doctoral student’s supervisor or assistant supervisor; the opinion should concern the candidate’s previous achievements and their aptitude for research work;
• A written opinion from an additional academic teacher or research worker holding at least a doctoral degree;
• A list of the candidate’s scientific achievements;
• Documents confirming scientific achievements according to the rules specified in the document from point 5;
• A portfolio / presentation of artistic achievements.

3. Exact and Natural Sciences and Engineering and Technology

• A copy of the diploma certifying the qualifications referred to in § 1 (more: Participation in recruitment before graduation);
• In the absence of a diploma – a certificate of the professional title awarded, issued by the awarding institution; if the candidate is admitted to the Doctoral School, the copy of the diploma must be submitted immediately upon receipt;
• In the case of graduation from a higher education institution abroad, the diploma or other document must be authenticated in the form of legalization or an apostille, accompanied by a sworn translation into Polish or English (if the document was issued in a language other than those mentioned);
• A transcript of records (course history);
• A cover letter justifying the desire to undertake education at the Doctoral School in a given discipline, taking into account the candidate’s research experience and justifying the choice of the research topic for which the candidate is applying (max. 12,000 characters including spaces, excluding bibliography);
• At least one, but no more than two, written opinions from a research and teaching employee or a research worker holding at least a doctoral degree from a university or other research institution of the national or foreign higher education and science system; the opinion should concern the candidate’s scientific competence and experience;
• A list of the candidate’s scientific achievements;
• Documents confirming scientific achievements according to the rules specified in the document from point 5.

For the discipline of Mathematics, a cover letter is not required.