Rules of admission

Candidates who hold the professional title of Master (magister), Master of Engineering (magister inżynier) or an equivalent title, or a person referred to in Article 186(2) LHES (Law on Higher Education and Science) may be admitted to the Doctoral School.

Admission procedure

Candidates are recruited via the following admission paths:

  • general academic profile for candidates who are beneficiaries of grant programmes,
  • general academic profile for other candidates,
  • implementation doctorate profile – for candidates who were qualified for the “Implementation Doctorate Program“ overseen by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science (MEiN (the program is conducted in Polish or English).

to the following programs:

  • Economics and Finance with the specialisation in Economics,
  • Economics and Finance with the specialisation in Finance,
  • Political and Administration Sciences,
  • Management and Quality Sciences.

Candidate registration is conducted using the ISR (Online Registration System) available on the SGH website.

Access to the ISR becomes closed for candidates at 4:00 p.m. standard time in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the last day of the period of the relevant recruitment.

Admission limits

Admission limits for curiculla in Academic Profile:

  • in the discipline of Economics and Finance in the scope of economics – 7 students,
  • in the discipline of Economics and Finance in the scope of economics finance – 7 students,
  • in the discipline of Political and Administration Sciences – 7 students,
  • in the discipline of Management and Quality Sciences – 7 students.

The minimum number of students required to start programmes in the general academic profile and the implementation profile is 5.

Conditions for admission to the recruitment procedure

The candidate is admitted to the recruitment procedure provided that they have properly registered before the deadline specified by the recruitment committee, i.e.,

  • in the ISR the candidate made a statement that they have knowledge of the English language to a degree sufficient to participate in the educational process;
  • filled in all the required tabs and uploaded: 
    • a current photograph that meets the requirements specified in the ISR system,
    • scans, in JPG or PDF format, of relevant documents from among those listed in §(11)(1) (2-9) of the Terms and Conditions of Recruitment,
  • paid the recruitment fee.
     
The stages of the admission procedure

Admission to the Doctoral School includes two stages:

  • First stage: substantive evaluation of the documents submitted by a candidate and a decision concerning qualification to the second stage – without the candidate’s participation.
  • Second stage: a structured interview with the candidate. The Recruitment Committee, appointed by the Rector, determines the deadlines for the registration of candidates and the detailed schedule of qualification procedure.
Required documents

Candidates qualified for being entered into the list of doctoral students of the Doctoral School shall submit the originals of the documents mentioned in points 1-4, 8 of the Terms and Conditions of Recruitment  and present the originals for the purpose of having copies certified as true to the original by an employee of the Doctoral School Bureau of the other documents they uploaded to the ISR in the form of scans: 

  1. personal questionnaire – print-out from the ISR,
  2. application for admission to the Doctoral School (specifying preferences for the curriculum),
  3. a cover letter in which the candidate states their scientific interests,
  4. an opinion on the candidate’s scientific competence provided by an academic representing the scientific discipline within which the candidate will continue their education in the SGH Doctoral School; this member of academic staffs has to meet the supervisor requirements specified in LHES (but they do not have to be candidate’s future supervisor),
  5. a diploma or an extract of a diploma of graduating the long-cycle Master’s degree programme or second-cycle degree studies in Polish or in a foreign language, or an equivalent diploma, or, in the case of persons referred to in Article 186(2) of the Act on the LHES, a diploma of graduating first-cycle degree studies or a document confirming that the candidate completed the third year of the long-cycle Master’s degree programme. 

If, at the moment of registration in the ISR, the candidate does not have a diploma, then, a scan of the certificate issued by the relevant Dean’s Office should be attached with the scan of the declaration that the diploma will be delivered on a date set by the Committee 

In the case of a foreign university diploma:

  • a long-cycle Master’s degree or second-cycle degree diploma,
  • diploma supplement,
  • legalization of the diploma or apostille,
  • a certificate confirming that the diploma entitles the student to study at a Doctoral School in the country of issue. This certificate is not necessary if such information is included in the diploma or in the supplement. In the absence of a certificate and information in the diploma or in the supplement, the candidate is required to provide a foreign diploma recognition document issued by NAWA in response to a request for foreign diploma information (full NAWA).

Achievements listed in the relevant ISR form (in particular: scientific publications, participation in research projects, participation in scientific conferences) should be documented as follows:

  • participation in research projects: a grant award decision or a copy of a grant agreement, or a certificate specifying the nature of participation in the project,
  • scientific publications (a journal article: the first page of the article; a book: the title page and the publication page; a chapter in a book: the table of contents and the first page of the article),
  • participation in conferences: certificates or programs confirming participation.

For candidates with a first-cycle degree diploma or a document confirming completing the third year of the long-cycle master’s degree program – documents confirming the highest quality of scientific achievements.

The documents may be in Polish or English. If the original document is in a language other than Polish or English, a translation by a sworn translator should be attached to that document.

In addition, the candidate shall declare in writing that: 

  1. The Doctoral School is the only doctoral school in which the candidate will study;
  2. There are no prerequisites specified in the Act on LHES that cause the loss of the right to a doctoral scholarship. 
Interviews

The interview consists of two parts.

The first one covers the issue of the candidate’s research intentions.

The other one concerns issues related to the discipline of the programme to which the candidate is applying.

Enrolment fee

The enrolment fee is PLN 300. The candidate pays the enrolment fee in advance, no later than the last day of registration in the ISR. The account number is generated after registration in the ISR.

Results of the admission procedure

Information regarding the admission process (including the interview, qualification for the second stage, and qualification for entry to the list of doctoral students) is provided in the ISR or via an e-mail sent to the address given by the candidate. The ranking list of persons admitted to the Doctoral School is published on the website.

Candidates are obliged to read the information posted in the ISR and sent via e-mail on an ongoing basis and are held responsible for the consequences of not fulfilling this obligation.

The order of candidates to be included in the list of doctoral students at the Doctoral School within the established limit of places is determined by a ranking list created according to the results of admission process.

Admissions schedule

Admissions schedule 2024/2025

Registration in the Online Registration System (ISR)  along with the scans of documents attached

8 May – 17 June 2024 to 4.00 p.m.

Payment the enrolment fee

8 May – 17 June 2024

Start of recruitment for the SGH Doctoral School

18 June 2024

First stage: substantive assessment of documents submitted by a candidate

3 July 2024

Announcement of the results after the first stage of the admission process

9 July 2024

Second stage – interviews

15–17 July 2024

Announcement of the results after the second stage of the admission process and the ranking list of the candidates qualified for admission to the SGH Doctoral School

25 July 2024 to 4.00 p.m.

Submission of the statements by successful candidates in ISR

to 12 September 2024

Submission of the admission-process documents to the SGH Doctoral School Office

12–13 September 2024

Submission of the diploma of the long-cycle master’s degree program to the Doctoral School Office (candidates who attached a certificate in ISR)

12–13 September 2024

Publication of the ranking list of the candidates qualified for admission to the SGH Doctoral School

16 September 2024 

Scoring

Assessment criteria and scores for the particular criteria in the admission process:

  • An outline of the planned research proposal for the doctoral dissertation: 0-40 points, including:
    • introduction (the research area, reasons for choosing a research problem and its importance for the development of a given field of science): 0-5 points,
    • a brief literature review (key items on the research problem with an indication of the research gap the candidate intends to fulfill – not a bibliography): 0-10 points,
    • key research questions which disaggregate into partial elements the research problem presented by the candidate: 0-15 points,
    • research methods aimed at solving the research problem: 0-5 points,
    • theoretical expectations and practical outcomes of the research problem chosen by the candidate: 0-5 points.
  • Documented scientific achievements in social sciences:
    • scientific publications: in scientific journals from the list of the ministry responsible for higher education and science; author’s monographs; author’s chapters in scientific monographs; co-author’s chapters in scientific monographs; editing of a scientific monograph - 5 points for each publication (however, the candidate presents only three publications);
  • Research projects: 
    • a research project manager– 5 points,
    • a research project contractor– 3 points.
  • Conferences: active participation in national conferences (with a presentation of a paper or a poster, a participation in a panel); active participation in foreign or international conferences (with a presentation of a paper poster, participation in a panel) - 0-3 points for each conference (depending on the type of participation and type of conference).
  • Grade on a university diploma obtained in the field of social sciences: 
    • grade on a long-cycle Master’s degree or second-cycle degree diploma for studies in Polish or in a foreign language, or an equivalent diploma:
      • a grade of 5.0 or higher – 15 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.5 – 10 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.0 – 5 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 3.5 or 3 – 0 points,
    • grade on a first-cycle degree diploma or a document confirming that the candidate completed the third year of the long-cycle master’s degree programme: 
      • grade on a diploma: 5.0 or more – 10 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.5 – 6 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.0 – 3 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 3.5 or 3 or a document confirming that the candidate completed the third year of the long-cycle master’s degree programme – 0 points.
  • Grade on a diploma obtained in other fields of science:
    • grade on a long-cycle Master’s degree or second-cycle degree diploma for studies in Polish or in a foreign language, or an equivalent diploma: 
      • grade on a diploma: 5.0 or more – 10 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.5 – 6 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.0 – 3 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 3.5 or 3 – 0 points,
    • grade on a first-cycle degree diploma or a document confirming that the candidate completed the third year of the long-cycle Master’s degree programme: 
      • grade on a diploma: 5.0 or more – 5 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.5 – 3 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 4.0 – 1 points,
      • grade on a diploma: 3.5 or 3 or a document confirming that the candidate completed the third year of the long-cycle master’s degree programme – 0 points.

An interview, during which the committee asks and evaluates two questions: 

  • question no. 1 on the research proposal: 0-15 points,
  • question no. 2 on the field of the program for which the candidate applies: 0-20 points.

A  candidate, who is the manager of the research project implemented in the scientific fields consistent with the curriculum of the Doctoral School, the terms of which require enrolment in the doctoral students list, shall receive the maximum number of points for the description of the research proposal in the doctoral dissertation and for the scientific projects, if the research proposal planned in the dissertation is substantially consistent with the goals and objectives of the research project (grant).

A qualifying threshold for the second stage of the admission process is 45 points.

The minimum score a successful candidate must obtain in the admission process after the second stage is 75 points.
 

ISR (Online Registration System) – key information

Until the ISR is closed, the candidate has the right to complete and amend the data entered into the ISR. The candidate may amend their personal data (citizenship, PESEL, date of birth, and sex) provided that they did not choose their study cycle yet. Otherwise, the candidate must deregister from the ISR registration form, amend the information referred to hereinabove, and reselect the relevant SGH registration form.

Before registering in the ISR, a candidate must prepare all documents confirming their education and academic achievements.

After registering, i.e., entering all data and uploading all documents and paying the enrolment fee, the candidate shall submit the completed account for verification. A member of the Doctoral School Office staff shall verify whether the documents have been uploaded correctly and whether they are complete. Information regarding any deficiencies is visible to the candidate in the ISR.

The application of a candidate who has properly registered in the ISR is classified as “Admitted to Stage I” in the ISR.

Other applications are classified as “Discontinued” in the ISR and are not considered in the further recruitment procedure.

NOTE: the candidates do not receive notification messages on the ISR via e-mail. The ISR account should be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Information regarding the recruitment procedure (including qualification for the second stage of the recruitment procedure, interview and qualification for entry into the list of doctoral students) shall be provided to candidates via the ISR. Candidates are obliged to read the information posted in the ISR on an ongoing basis and are held responsible for the consequences of not fulfilling this obligation.

Required documents – registration in the ISR

Before registering in the ISR, the candidate must prepare all documents confirming their education and academic achievements.

  1. A scan of a second-cycle degree diploma or first-cycle degree diploma for persons referred to in Article 186(2)LHES, or a scan of an official copy thereof. If a candidate does not have a diploma at the time of registration in the ISR, they must attach a scan of a certificate issued by the relevant Dean’s Office and a scan of a statement that the diploma will be delivered within the deadline set by the Committee. In the case of a foreign university diploma: a) a long-cycle Master’s degree or second-cycle degree diploma,  b) diploma supplement, c) legalization of the diploma or apostille, d) a certificate confirming that the diploma entitles the student to study at a Doctoral School in the country of issue. This certificate is not necessary if such information is included in the diploma or in the supplement. In the absence of a certificate and information in the diploma or in the supplement, the candidate is required to provide a foreign diploma recognition document issued by NAWA in response to a request for foreign diploma information (full NAWA).
  2. A scan of an opinion on the candidate’s scientific competence issued by a member of academic staffs has to meet the supervisor requirements (habilitated doctor or titular professor) (dr hab. or prof. dr hab.) representing the scientific discipline within which the candidate will continue their education in the Doctoral School.
  3. A scan of the application for admission to the Doctoral School (stating the preferences regarding the curriculum).
  4. A scan of  the cover letter in which the candidate states the scope of their scientific interests.
  5. Scans of the other documents confirming the candidate’s scientific achievements, i.e.:
    • scan of the grant award decision or a copy of the grant agreement or
    • scan of the certificate specifying the nature of participation in the project,
    • scan of the article in the journal: first page of the article, book: scan of the title page and publishing page, chapter in the book: scan of the table of contents and the first page of the article,
    • scan of the certificate of participation in the conference or program confirming active participation in the conference,
    • for candidates with a first-cycle degree diploma or a document confirming completing the third year of the long-cycle master’s degree programme – documents confirming the highest quality of scientific achievements.

The documents may be in Polish or English. If the original document is in a language other than Polish or English, a translation by a sworn translator should be attached to that document.

Stages of the registration using the ISR

Step 1. The candidate registers (selection of the cycle of study and entering the e-mail address and password). After registration, an activation link should arrive to the applicant’s account indicated during registration (please check your spam if the message with the link is not visible).

Step 2. The candidate completes their profile which involves i.a.:

  • Data on the university he/she was gradueted
    • the candidate indicates one university on the basis of which he will be admitted,
    • In the case of a foreign university diploma should be presented: a) a long-cycle Master’s degree or second-cycle degree diploma,  b) diploma supplement, c) legalization of the diploma or apostille, d) a certificate confirming that the diploma entitles the student to study at a Doctoral School in the country of issue. This certificate is not necessary if such information is included in the diploma or in the supplement. In the absence of a certificate and information in the diploma or in the supplement, the candidate is required to provide a foreign diploma recognition document issued by NAWA in response to a request for foreign diploma information (full NAWA),
  • Selects the program and profile of education - a candidate may choose only one program and one profile of education,
  • A photo is attached (it should meet the requirements for an ID photo),
  • Scans of signed documents are attached:
    • application for admission to the Doctoral School (specifying preferences of the candidate for the curriculum),
    • a cover letter in which the candidate states their scientific interests,
    • diplomoa or an official copy of diploma, in the case of a foreign university diploma a long-cycle Master’s degree or second-cycle degree diploma and diploma supplement and legalization of the diploma or apostille or a certificate confirming that the diploma entitles the student to study at a Doctoral School in the country of issue. This certificate is not necessary if such information is included in the diploma or in the supplement. In the absence of a certificate and information in the diploma or in the supplement, the candidate is required to provide a foreign diploma recognition document issued by NAWA in response to a request for foreign diploma information (full NAWA).
    • in the case of candidates with a first-cycle degree diploma – documents confirming highest academic achievements, whereas for candidates applying for the implementation doctorate profile – a statement from the employer,
    • an opinion on the candidate’s scientific competence,
  • Completes the data on scientific achievements, i.e. research projects, active participation in conferences, scientific publications) and attaches documents confirming them,
  • Enters the description of research proposal- to be completed will be such fields as: (the motives for the selection of a research problem and its significance for the development of a given field of science, a short literature review with an indication of research gaps, main research questions and research methods, the expected theoretical and practical results of the selected research problem by the candidate).
  • Statements, including those concerning the knowledge of English to a degree enabling participation in the education process at the Doctoral School at the Warsaw School of Economics, are completed

Step 3. The candidate pays the enrolment fee (no later than on the closing date for registration in the ISR).

The staff at the Doctoral School Office verifies whether the documents are correct; when the documents are complete and the enrolment fee is paid, the candidate is admitted to the admission procedure.

Step 4. The application of a candidate who has properly registered in the ISR is classified as “admitted to Stage I” in the ISR. The remaining applications are classified as “not registered” in the ISR and are not considered in the further admission procedure.

Step 5. The candidate does not participate in the first stage of the admission procedure. The committee reviews and evaluates the documents uploaded in the ISR. The candidate awaits the message in the ISR.  If a candidate obtains at least 45 points after the first stage of the admission, they move on to the second stage – an interview with the Recruitment Committee. The candidate will receive a message in the ISR with a designated date and time of the interview.

Step 6. After the second stage of the admission process, candidate qualified for admission to the Doctoral School will submit a statement in writing that:

  1. the Doctoral School at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics is the only doctoral program in which the candidate will participate,
  2. the candidate does not have a doctoral degree and that if the candidate conceals information about the doctoral degree, they will return the illegally collected doctoral scholarship,
  3. there are no prerequisites specified in the Act on LHES that cause the loss of the right to a doctoral scholarship. 

Step 7. Candidates qualified for admission to the Doctoral School – by the established deadline – submit to the Doctoral School Bureau the original documents (including the signed Personal Questionnaire printed from the ISR system and the Statements listed in Step 6).

Rules of admission – documents
Supervisors at the SGH Doctoral School

A supervisor is appointed at the request of the doctoral student after commencing their education at the SGH Doctoral School.


Doctoral School Office
building M, room 35
Madalińskiego 6/8
02-513 Warsaw
e-mail: bsd@sgh.waw.pl
phone: +48 22 564 71 15
phone: +48 22 564 71 30
Monday – Friday: 9:00–15:00