Branch programme/details

The study program is focused on the problematic of didactics of physics and general problems of physics. It stems from scientific disciplines such as physics, didactics of physics, pedagogy and psychology. The main goal is to provide students with a complex overview of didactics of physics, teach them independent scientific practice in this field and allow for a deeper understanding of some parts of physics. This programme naturally follows the master’s programme Physics Education for Secondary Schools which, out of the whole Charles University, can be studied solely at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. It is therefore natural that this faculty also has a doctorate program focused on didactics of physics and general problems of physics. This study programme is unique by being the only one at our university to offer doctorate level studies in the field of didactics of physics.

Invitation to subject entrance examination

The invitation to the subject entrance examination will be sent to those applicants, who

• submitted a complete application together with its obligatory attachments 2,3 and 4 before the deadline,

• paid the application fee,

• did not obtain the confirmation of the waiver of the subject entrance examination before mid-December 2024.

The invitation to an entrance examination is delivered through the University Electronic Information System. In mid-December, 2024, all applicants without a waiver receive an invitation to take the entrance examination from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. If the Faculty approves the waiver after sending out the invitation, the invitation ceases to apply.


Entrance examination to the programme Physics Education and General Problems of Physics taught in English

The entrance examination consists of two parts, subject part and a language part.

The subject part of the entrance examination takes the form of a discussion about the field of Physics education and general problems of physics. The committee gives the applicant three questions related to the field of the study programme. The committee judges the correctness of the answers, the knowledge of the field and overall readiness for doctoral studies. Each answer is evaluated on the scale of 0-30 points, the applicant can therefore obtain at most 90 points for all three answers. In order to pass the exam, the applicant must obtain at least 60 points. If there is more than one successful applicant, the committee will rank the applicants according to the total number of points they obtained. Admission for studies to the doctoral study programme Physics Education and General Problems of Physics taught in English will be granted to the candidate who successfully passes both parts of the entrance examination and obtains the highest score from the subject part of the examination among all applicants.

Language part of the entrance examination

The language part of the entrance examination consists of verification of knowledge of the English language in the form of a written test conducted in person. The applicant may obtain a maximum of 100 points, the threshold for passing the exam is 50 points. If the applicant cannot take part in the face-to-face test for objective reasons, it is possible to take the test online at the Department of Language Education of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics under the same conditions. In this case, the student must contact the Study Department at the latest two working days before the day of the exam and inform them of the reasons.

Admission to Doctoral studies is conditioned by successful completion of a Master's study programme.

Verification method:	entrance exam
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:	15.01.2025	Until:	16.01.2025
Alternative date (of entrance exam):	23.01.2025	Until:	23.01.2025

Waiver conditions of the subject entrance examination

The subject entrance examination cannot be waived for applicants to the study programme Physics Education and General Problems of Physics.

The language examination will be waived if the applicant fulfills at least one of the following waiver conditions:

A. The applicant spent at least two years of his/her previous education at secondary or university level with English as the sole language of instruction in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, UK or USA.

B. The applicant does not need to take the language examination of English if (s)he has already passed one of the following exams (in some cases we recognize the exam only with a minimum score or level):

• General State Language Examination in English in the Czech Republic
• examination in English at Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
• TOEFL (paper) – 550 points
• TOEFL (computer) – 213 points
• TOEFL (internet) – 80 points
• IELTS – 7 points
• C2 Proficiency (formerly known as CPE) - Pass
• C1 Advanced (formerly known as CAE) - Pass
• B2 First (formerly known as FCE) – Grade A
• ESOL International (C1 – C2)
• TELC (The European Language Certificates) – TELC English C1 - Pass
• UNIcert English for Mathematicians: Level C1 – level C1
• Melab – 77 points
• Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) - Pass
• Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) – 605 points

The language examination waiver and the compliance with one of the conditions mentioned above must be requested before the deadlines mentioned above.

The graduate has deeper knowledge in physics, physics education, pedagogical-psychological disciplines or philosophy and history of physics and is prepared for independent research work in various branches of physics education or philosophy and history of physic. Graduate specialized in physics education is able to solve problems connected with physic education on secondary school level and to plan, conduct and evaluate research in the field of physics education. The graduates will find employment at university departments providing pre-service physics teacher training, in scientific and pedagogical institutions, in management positions in school system and as a highly qualified teacher at junior and senior secondary schools and at colleges.