Foreign Language Examination in Doctoral Studies

The foreign language examination in doctoral studies comprehensively assesses students’ language competencies at the B2/C1 level, with a focus on professional and academic language skills. The exam is oral; however, written materials must be submitted in advance.

The number of assessments, their schedule, and language selection requirements are specified in the individual study plan.

If students take the examination in a second language in the form of so-called Academic Reading, the exam is identical to the undergraduate assessment—more information about this assessment can be found in SIS.

Exam Format for Doctoral Studies

Changes from Academic Year 2025/2026

• If you start your PhD studies in 2025/2026 or later, you will not need to take the DS foreign language exam.

• If your programme (e.g. Czech History) requires an exam in a second foreign language in the form of academic reading, you will still need to take that exam.

• If you started your PhD studies before 2025/2026, you are still required to take the DS foreign language exam.

Examination requirements

Students are now required to submit only the following written materials:

• A structured professional CV (1–2 standard pages)
• A thesis proposal (3–4 standard pages)

During the oral part of the standard examination, students present and evaluate the submitted written materials, especially the thesis proposal, followed by a discussion with the examiner.

During the examination, students demonstrate their knowledge of professional language and their ability to formulate their own opinions, evaluative statements, and respond promptly and appropriately.

Written materials must be submitted electronically to the examiner in advance, usually no later than 7 days before the exam date, unless otherwise agreed.

Exam dates are either listed in SIS (for English) or arranged individually with the examiner (for other languages).

Recognition of the Language Examination (based on a valid international certificate or a completed degree program)

As of January 2025, the language examination in Ph.D. studies can now be replaced in the following ways:

• A C1 or C2 international language certificate,
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the language (philology of the language or study conducted in the modern language).

Recognition Procedure:

Students must submit a Request for Course Recognition  (Žádost)  – via the FF UK mailroom – for one of the following courses:

• English AXJAZ0001,
• German AXJAZ0005,
• French AXJAZ0002,
• Spanish AXJAZ0007,
• Russian AXJAZ0006

The request must include a certified copy of the relevant  valid certificate or diploma.
The valid certificate or diploma must not be older than 10 years.

List of Recognized Certificates

The following certificates are accepted for the recognition of the language examination:

English

• FCE (First Certificate in English) – at C1 level
• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
• CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test) – 550 points or higher
• TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) – 95 points or higher
• IELTS – Band score 7–8
• UNIcert III and IV

German

• Goethe Zertifikat C1
• ÖSD Zertifikat C1
• TELC Zertifikat C1
• DSH2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber)
• DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
• Test DaF (Deutsch als Fremdsprache), minimum TDN 4 in all parts
• UNIcert III a IV

French

• DALF C1, C2 (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)
• Maturita Certificate from a bilingual high school, indicating the achieved C1 level
• UNIcert III and IV

Spanish

• DELE C1, C2
• Maturita Certificate from a bilingual high school, indicating the achieved C1 level
• UNIcert III and IV

Russian

• ТРКИ-III (C1), ТРКИ-IV (C2)

Teachers responsible for doctoral examinations: