Requirements and Conditions for Admission:

The application period has been extended.

The application period for the Doctoral School of Informatics at Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) April 1 - June 21, 2026.
Expected dates of the admission interviews: June 2026.
We look forward to receiving your applications!
The Cooperative Doctoral Program (KDP) will be available in the 2026/2027 academic year for first-year doctoral students admitted to the doctoral program.

In exceptional cases, students may apply for admission to the doctoral program while still enrolled in their master’s studies. Eligibility for such early admission requires a placement at a Scientific Students’ Association Conference (TDK) that qualifies for participation in the National Scientific Students’ Conference (OTDK) and/or actual participation in the OTDK, as well as at least one peer-reviewed, accepted, or published scientific publication, which may be co-authored.
Applicants without an IT-related academic background may, if admitted, be required to complete supplementary courses to meet foundational requirements.An additional requirement is the possession of at least an intermediate (B2) level complex (previously type C) state-accredited or equivalent English language exam certificate.

Doctoral programs can be pursued under two types of financial status:

admission to a state-funded full-time doctoral programme
admission to a self-financed full-time doctoral programme

Mid-year admissions (starting in the spring semester) are only available for self-financed students; admission to state-funded programs is not possible in this period.

Cooperative Doctoral Program (CDP/KDP)

Applicants participating in the program must be employed by an external organization that meets at least one of the following criteria:

a) it has a research and development qualification issued under Act LXXVI of 2014 on scientific research, development and innovation, which is no more than three years old at the start of the doctoral studies,

b) as an employer, it has participated or is currently participating in the Cooperative Doctoral Program announced by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDI Office), or in the Cooperative Doctoral subprogram of the University Research Scholarship Program,

c) it has received research and development funding from the National Research, Development and Innovation Office within the three years preceding the start of the doctoral program.

Participation in the CDP is not only open to applicants employed at external RDI organizations, but is also a particularly relevant and supported opportunity for assistant lecturers (junior faculty members) at the university, provided that their research aligns with the objectives of the program and their employment-related activities.

Applications must be submitted through the standard doctoral admission platform:
https://doktorifelveteli.elte.hu
The general admission requirements apply in this case as well.

In the research proposal, it must be clearly indicated that the doctoral research will be carried out within the CDP. The proposal must also describe how the research is connected to the applicant’s professional activities at their workplace. In addition, applicants must name a co-supervisor and a professional consultant from their workplace. Proof of employment must be attached to sections II/68–73 of the application interface.

Recommendation for the selection of the research topic

The aim of the CDP is to strengthen cooperation between the university and its socio-economic environment. Accordingly—especially in the case of CDP doctoral candidates, including assistant lecturers—it is recommended that the research topic:

has a measurable social or economic impact,

addresses challenges arising in the university’s socio-economic environment,

and reflects these aspects in the doctoral research proposal.

Applicants eligible for state-funded doctoral studies include:

Hungarian citizens;
persons entitled to free movement and residence under a special law;
stateless individuals, refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, persons under temporary protection, admitted persons, immigrants, and those with permanent residency living in Hungary;
foreign nationals receiving the same assessment as Hungarian citizens under an international agreement;
citizens of countries whose nationals may attend higher education institutions in Hungary on a reciprocal basis;
individuals under the scope of the Act on Preferential Treatment, even if they are not Hungarian citizens or do not have the right to free movement and residence;
third-country nationals declaring themselves as of Hungarian nationality, as defined by the relevant Hungarian law;
third-country nationals holding an EU Blue Card.

Those in the above categories applying for a self-financed program are required to pay a tuition fee of HUF 1,000,000 per semester.

Applicants not belonging to any of the above categories may only study on a self-financed basis. The tuition fee for them is EUR 4,500 per semester.

Self-financed students may apply for partial or full exemption from tuition fees, depending on whether their research is conducted at the university or in an external institution. The financial backing for the research may be provided by the applicant’s employer or the supervisor's institution. A written declaration must be attached by the applicant in such cases.

The detailed admission call is available during the admission period on the website: www.felvi.hu

Application for the autumn and spring semesters of the 2025/26 academic year must be submitted online at:
https://doktorifelveteli.elte.hu/

During the online application, the following documents must be uploaded to the appropriate section (recommended formats: .JPG, .PDF):

Copy of the diploma (if obtained abroad, recognition for further studies is also required); final-year students must submit the diploma copy after the admission interview;
Copy of the transcript of records for both BSc and MSc studies (or printed electronic version);
Copy of the English language certificate proving at least intermediate (B2) level complex (previously type C) state-accredited proficiency; if taken abroad, it must be recognized by the Hungarian Accreditation Centre for Language Examinations;
Curriculum Vitae (CV);
List of publications (if available);
Research proposal signed by the supervisor;
If the applicant does not apply for a scholarship, a written statement on the financial support for research costs must be attached, specifying whether the applicant or an external institution will cover the expenses;
A letter of acceptance from the host institution, if the research is to be conducted outside the university;
Proof of payment of the application fee.

Admission procedure fee: 150 EUR
The admission procedure fee must be paid through the E-Pay system.

E-Pay system: https://epay.elte.hu/ext/index
Faculty: Faculty of Informatics
Purpose of payment: application fee
Subcategory: PhD (foreign)

Admission interviews will be held in June 2026 for the autumn intake and the second week of January 2027 for the spring intake. The interviews are organized by the Doctoral School.

A minimum of three committee members will evaluate the applicants based on:

General professional intelligence;
Preparedness and competence in the chosen field of study (within the doctoral school’s training program);
Degree and academic performance;
Student research activities and other scientific work;
Feasibility of the proposed research plan;
English language proficiency – admission requires at least a B2-level complex state-accredited certificate.

The committee assigns scores between 0 and 100. A minimum of 60 points is required for admission. However, scoring 60 points does not guarantee admission or the awarding of a scholarship.

Maximum score (100 points) is based on the following criteria, evaluated from submitted documents and the admission interview:

General professional intelligence: max 15 points;
Preparedness and competence in the chosen discipline: max 25 points;
Degree classification and academic performance: max 10 points
(Excellent diploma and academic results: 10 points; Good diploma/performance: 5 points);
Scientific student activities and other research contributions: max 15 points
(e.g., OTDK 1st/2nd/3rd place: 10/9/8 points; special award: 7 points; Faculty TDK 1st/2nd prize: 4/3 points;
scientific journal publication: 7–10 points; conference paper in proceedings: 6–9 points; book chapter with original findings: 6–9 points.
Only up to 15 points may be considered, even if total exceeds this);
Feasibility of the research plan: max 30 points;
English language proficiency – required minimum: B2-level complex certificate;
For advanced English language certificates, an additional 5 points may be awarded.

Application Deadlines:

For programs starting in autumn 2026:
May 31, 2026 (interviews: June 2026, Decision deadline: the second week of July 2026)
For programs starting in spring 2027:
November 30, 2026 (interviews: second week of January 2027, decisions by third week of January)

Further information: phd@inf.elte.hu

Admission decisions are made by the Informatics Doctoral Council. Applicants will be informed via email.

Current Research Topics

The current research topics offered at the Doctoral School of Informatics can be found in the National Doctoral Council database:
www.doktori.hu

For more information about the structure of doctoral education and the rules of the comprehensive exam, consult the University Doctoral Regulations (valid from 2016) and the National Doctoral Council website.