Doctoral School of Biology

Eötvös Loránd University
Hungary, 1053 Budapest

Faculty of Science Hungary, Budapest

Study location	Hungary, Budapest
Type	Doctoral, full-time
Nominal duration	4+4 semesters (4 years) (240 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	PhD (Ph.D. in Biology)
Accreditation	OH-FRKP/406-3/2007

Tuition fee	Tuition fee is For EU citizens, if the research is performed at the Faculty: HUF 1000 000 / semester; if the research is performed outside of the Faculty: HUF 300 000 / semester. For non-EU citizens: 4000 EUR/semester; if the research is performed outside of the Faculty: 1 500 EUR/semester.
Application fee	HUF 9,000 one-time The application fee is non-refundable

Tuition fee

Tuition fee is

For EU citizens, if the research is performed at the Faculty: HUF 1000 000 / semester; if the research is performed outside of the Faculty: HUF 300 000 / semester.
For non-EU citizens: 4000 EUR/semester; if the research is performed outside of the Faculty: 1 500 EUR/semester.

Application fee

HUF 9,000 one-time

The application fee is non-refundable

Entry qualification	Graduate / Master diploma (or higher) A master’s degree in Biology or Chemistry is a mandatory requirement. The heads of the thematic programs of the Doctoral School of Biology may restrict the range of degrees they accept to ensure that the field in which the applicant’s prior degree was issued and the curriculum of the applicant’s graduate studies meet the specific expectations of the given program. Applicants still pursuing their MSc studies should qualify for the degree by the end of the academic year in which they submit their application. If still studying then submit the records of the last two years (including an official English translation if the language of the original is not English). The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. You must take the original entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university.

Entry qualification

Graduate / Master diploma (or higher)

A master’s degree in Biology or Chemistry is a mandatory requirement. The heads of the thematic programs of the Doctoral School of Biology may restrict the range of degrees they accept to ensure that the field in which the applicant’s prior degree was issued and the curriculum of the applicant’s graduate studies meet the specific expectations of the given program.

Applicants still pursuing their MSc studies should qualify for the degree by the end of the academic year in which they submit their application.

If still studying then submit the records of the last two years (including an official English translation if the language of the original is not English).

The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English.

Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

You must take the original entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university.

Language requirements	English An internationally accredited language examination is required with at least a B2 CEFR level or equivalent result. Examples of minimum level accepted: TOEFL iBT 72 pts IELTS 5.5 Alternatively, an official certificate issued by the applicant’s previous higher education institution can be accepted, stating that the applicant’s previous education (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) was completed entirely in English.

Language requirements

English

An internationally accredited language examination is required with at least a B2 CEFR level or equivalent result.

Examples of minimum level accepted:
TOEFL iBT 72 pts
IELTS 5.5

Alternatively, an official certificate issued by the applicant’s previous higher education institution can be accepted, stating that the applicant’s previous education (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) was completed entirely in English.

Other requirements	At least 2 reference(s) must be provided. Submitting two letter of recommendation documents is required. A motivation letter must be added to your application. You should include a short indication of the interest in specific subprograms. Documents to submit with application Master-level degree Transcript of records CV Research plan Language certificate Proof of application fee transfer Statement of supervisor Documents to submit for further consideration 2 letters of recommendation Motivation letter Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid) Passport photo Medical certificate Before applying, students should select a suitable research topic and should draw an outline for their research work with the guidance of their to-be supervisor. Important note: It is the student’s responsibility to find a qualified professor at the institute who is willing to act as a supervisor and they write together the research plan which is submitted along with the application. Details of the entrance exam The Program leader contacts the student by email and they set a date for the oral interview via Skype. During the interview, the applicant will be asked about her/his prior studies, research experience, thesis work, motivation, and theoretical knowledge. In the first part of the interview, the admission committee evaluates the student’s scientific knowledge about the specific field of the program, in the second part they discuss the research plan submitted by the student. The interview lasts about 20-30 minutes. After the interview, the student is informed whether he/she is accepted as a student in the PhD Program via email. The central administration of the faculty informs the student about the administrative and financial conditions of the admission and issues a ‘Letter of Acceptance’.

Other requirements

At least 2 reference(s) must be provided.

Submitting two letter of recommendation documents is required.

A motivation letter must be added to your application.

You should include a short indication of the interest in specific subprograms.

Documents to submit with application

Master-level degree
Transcript of records
CV
Research plan
Language certificate
Proof of application fee transfer
Statement of supervisor

Documents to submit for further consideration

2 letters of recommendation
Motivation letter
Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
Passport photo
Medical certificate

Before applying, students should select a suitable research topic and should draw an outline for their research work with the guidance of their to-be supervisor.

Important note: It is the student’s responsibility to find a qualified professor at the institute who is willing to act as a supervisor and they write together the research plan which is submitted along with the application.

Details of the entrance exam
The Program leader contacts the student by email and they set a date for the oral interview via Skype.
During the interview, the applicant will be asked about her/his prior studies, research experience, thesis work, motivation, and theoretical knowledge. In the first part of the interview, the admission committee evaluates the student’s scientific knowledge about the specific field of the program, in the second part they discuss the research plan submitted by the student. The interview lasts about 20-30 minutes.

After the interview, the student is informed whether he/she is accepted as a student in the PhD Program via email. The central administration of the faculty informs the student about the administrative and financial conditions of the admission and issues a ‘Letter of Acceptance’.

More information	elte.hu/en/doctoral-school-of-biology

Programs at the Doctoral School of Biology

Ecology and Evolution
Ethology
Immunology
Experimental Plant Biology
Genetics
Molecular Cell and Neurobiology
Neuroscience and Human Biology
Structural Biochemistry
Zootaxonomy, Animal Ecology, Hydrobiology

Apply now! September 2025/26

31 May 2025, 23:59:59
Central European Time

1 Sept 2025

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Apply now! September 2025/26

31 May 2025, 23:59:59
Central European Time

1 Sept 2025

Save to my wishlist

PhDDoctoral School of Biology

Programme structure