Doctoral study
What is the doctoral study about?
In accordance with the Higher Education Act, doctoral studies are focused on "scientific research and independent creative activity" in the field of law. Doctoral students not only continue to educate themselves in the field of law and become renowned experts in their field, but they also help to develop legal science through their research, moving its status forward (not only in the Czech Republic, but often also in the international context) towards higher quality, which can then be built upon by legal practice. With an appropriate choice of relevant research topics and a responsible approach to their solution, this is a highly meaningful activity that goes beyond "mere" personal professional development.
Basic information on what doctoral studies at the MU Faculty of Law entail, what its main content is and what you can expect from it can be found here: What are doctoral studies.
The study is aimed at acquiring advanced skills and knowledge. Their basic overview can be found here: Skills and knowledge that doctoral studies should aim to acquire.
The study is intended for graduates of master's degree programmes. After passing the State Doctoral Examination and successfully defending their dissertation, graduates receive the degree of "Doctor" (Ph.D., written after their name).
The study makes sense especially as a first step towards becoming a legal scholar/academic (either at a university or another scientific institution such as the Academy of Sciences). However, it is not exclusively linked to this career path. It can also be a competitive advantage for a number of other professions where quality is associated with a deep understanding of the law, such as specialised advocacy, the judiciary (whether assistants to judges or judges themselves), and depending on the chosen field, senior positions in the public administration, in legislative departments of ministries, and, of course, as notaries, executors, insolvency administrators or corporate lawyers. The higher professional prestige associated with the attainment of this degree is also a matter of course, especially in the case of a relatively demanding university such as Masaryk University. For more specific information on graduate employment, see also information on individual programmes below.
What financial support is available during the study?
- Students in full-time form of study shall receive a monthly stipend to support their studies in a doctoral programme (see MU Scholarship and Bursary Regulations). The amount is CZK 26.880 per month from the academic year 2026/2027. This scholarship is awarded to all full-time students if the duration of their studies does not exceed the standard period of study in the relevant study programme. The prerequisite is the proper fulfilment of study obligations according to the individual study plan. The monthly scholarship applies only to full-time study, which does not involve concurrent full-time employment outside the faculty.
- In addition, it is possible to obtain additional scholarships, especially for ongoing publication outputs, but also to support foreign stays and other internationalisation activities. Scholarship programmes are listed in the Dean's Measure No. 3/2026 (effective from 1 April 2026) - see especially Articles 8–11.
- Specific research projects are also recommended additional funding for doctoral studies, through which it is possible to obtain additional scholarships as well as to finance the purchase of literature, foreign stays, translation and proofreading and other necessary items.
- In addition to these scholarship programmes, it is also possible in exceptional cases to award an extraordinary scholarship, the award of which is decided by the Dean of the Faculty.
- Additional funding is also possible through external grant and project activities, if offered by the training institute (institute or department), or, exceptionally, through a possible concurrent employment relationship at the faculty if the doctoral student is also a member of the relevant department.
Alumni stories
Story of Mgr. Marián Jankovič, LL.M., Ph.D.
"I often joke that I owe my decision to study law to my mother, but I owe the opportunity to pursue it and shape its future direction to the institutions that made it possible. One such institution is the Faculty of Law at Masaryk University in Brno and its doctoral programme, Intellectual Property Law. Enrolling in this programme allowed me to further develop my passions - copyright law and photography. Despite the specialized nature of my research, I was granted generous opportunities to pursue it, both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
The Faculty of Law at Masaryk University collaborates closely with specialized university institutes abroad, as well as globally respected experts in the field of intellectual property law. These established connections enable students to engage with international peers and professionals and, importantly, to participate in research stays abroad.
Moreover, the programme’s carefully curated selection of courses provides not only a comprehensive overview of intellectual property law but also thorough preparation for academic research. The scheduling of programme’s courses allows students to balance their studies and research alongside their current professional careers. A significant advantage of the programme is that it is conducted in English, ensuring global recognition of students’ research and publications.
Beyond academic knowledge, the professionals behind the programme offer something equally valuable: the encouragement and motivation that students - regardless of their age - often need. Whether it involves support during challenging life situations, guidance for research stays and conferences abroad, participation in projects and publications, or progress on a doctoral thesis, students can always rely on the lecturers’ support, respect and professionalism.
Some decisions, in hindsight, profoundly shape one’s life. For me, enrolling in the Intellectual Property Law programme was undoubtedly one of them - an experience that has been transformative in the best possible way."
Story of Mgr. Ondřej Woznica, Ph.D.
“Doctoral studies are a journey. It may be a longer trip, but the views are undoubtedly worth it. Choosing to pursue my Ph.D. in Intellectual Property Law at Masaryk University was a decision I’ll never regret. The experience exceeded my expectations, and I would make the same choice again in a heartbeat.
Masaryk University was always my clear choice for a Ph.D. for its supportive environment provided by the faculty, particularly the Institute of Law and Technology. Furthermore, the program’s singular focus on intellectual property law is a rarity. Rather than spreading my attention across all aspects of law and technology, I had the chance to immerse myself deeply in one specific topic.
The program is designed to offer maximum freedom. No matter how unconventional my ideas were, my supervisors were always there to support me and let me test them. Instead of following rigid coursework, my semesters were centered around my own research projects. I had the opportunity to engage with renown academics and visit global conferences. Moreover, the excellent network enabled me to have readers for my dissertation from universities in Japan and Israel.
It doesn't matter where your interest lies within the field of intellectual property. This program allows you to pursue your topic to its full depth and beyond. The program is open to creative thinkers and interdisciplinary approaches that may be too dynamic for other institutions. If you're looking to satisfy your intellectual curiosity, this program is the ideal choice. Ultimately, the Ph.D. title at the finish line is just the cherry on top.”