The conditions for applying for the Ph.D. thesis defence are defined in Art. 21 and Art. 30 to 34 of Internal Regulation No. 1/2020 of the currently valid Study Regulations of the Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava. The essentials of the written work/thesis are contained in the currently valid Directive of the Rector of Comenius University on final theses.

study of professional literature according to the chosen topic

According to Sec. 51 § 3 of Act No. 131/2002, as amended, the study of each study programme at the doctoral level also includes the student’s final thesis, which together with the defence of the final thesis forms one subject. The defence of the final thesis (dissertation) belongs to the state exams. The basic requirements for final theses are also regulated by the currently valid Directive of the Rector of Comenius University on final theses and the Study Regulations of the Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava. The directive regulates the formal requirements of the dissertation, its structure, method of citation, submission, and license agreement. The assessment is "passed or failed" following the Study Regulations of the Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava

passed or failed – according to the valid Study Regulations of the Comenius University

The defence of the dissertation takes place before the Commission for the state examinations. University teachers working in the positions of professors and associate professors and other experts approved by the Scientific Board of the faculty have the right to take examinations for the defence of the dissertation. The chair and members of the examination commission are appointed by the Dean on the proposal of the departmental commission. At least one member of the examination commission is not from the training institution. The examination commission must have at least four members.

The defence of the dissertation may take place only in the presence of at least two-thirds of all members of the examination commission and at least two opponents of the dissertation. Minutes are prepared on the defence of the dissertation. The minutes are signed by the chair and the members of the examination commission present at the defence of the dissertation.

The decision of the examination commission on the result of the dissertation defence will be made at a closed meeting of the examination commission after the end of the defence in the presence of the dissertation opponents and the supervisor. The closed session will assess the course of the defence and the possibility of using the results of the dissertation in practice.

The defence consists of the following parts: introduction of the doctoral student by the chair of the examination commission, presentation of the dissertation by the author, presentation of opponents’ opinions, author’s reaction to the opinions, opinions of the opponents answering questions, general discussion, debate, The defence of the dissertation is assessed by the evaluation "passed or failed" (following the current Study Regulations).

Framework principles of objectives and organization of the dissertation are determined by the currently valid Directive of the Rector of Comenius University in Bratislava on the basic requirements of final theses, rigorous theses and habilitation theses, control of their originality, storage, and access to Comenius University in Bratislava, currently valid Study Regulations of the Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava.

By defending the PhD. theses (dissertation), the graduate has to prove readiness for independent scientific and creative activity. After successful defence of the dissertation, the student will be ready to define and analyze the current state of scientific research in the field related to the subject of research, in areas related to the doctoral programme, and other related disciplines. The graduate will be able to carry out scientific research, interpret the results and present them in scientific forums. He/she will be able to scientifically argue and defend and reflect the results of his/her research. He/she can apply and creatively improve and develop theories and research, development, and innovation practices in his/her field and create new ones.