From 1 October 2019 we are no longer talking about initiating doctoral dissertations, but about initiating proceedings for the award of the doctoral degree (dissertations can only be talked about for those initiated until 30 April 2019).
In accordance with seventh paragraph of the Article 179 of Provisions introducing the Law on Higher Education and Science – for those who have started their doctoral studies before 2019/2020 and apply for
to award the doctoral degree “the procedure for the award of the degree shall be initiated by the submission of an application
the appointment of a promoter”, which means that the date of initiation of the proceedings shall be the date on which the application is lodged with the registry of the institute or the board of discipline.
Furthermore, in accordance with eighth paragraph of the Article 179 of Provisions introducing the Law on Higher Education
and Science – for those who have started their doctoral studies before 2019/2020 and apply for to award the doctorate degree “the learning outcomes of modern foreign language skills are confirmed on an existing basis” (i.e. the PhD student submits a certificate of language proficiency or declares a foreign language he will pass the doctoral examination from).
Proceedings initiated for PhD students from 1 October 2019 will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the new Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws 2020, item 85) and the Rules of Procedure for conducting proceedings for the award of the doctoral degree of SGGW – Senate of SGGW Resolution No. 8 – 2019/2020 of 23 September 2019 – the exception is the time when proceedings are initiated and knowledge of a foreign language is confirmed (as referred to above).