Doctoral School of Social Sciences

Contactul. W. Bojarskiego 1, 87-100 Toruń
tel.: +48 56 611 23 98
e-mail: ars@umk.pl

Mid-term evaluation

1. Introduction

The framework regarding the time limit and mode of conducting the mid-term evaluation in doctoral schools is defined in Article 202(2–5) and Article 203(1)(1) of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws, as amended), hereinafter referred to as the “Act”. Pursuant to Article 205(1)(3) of the Act, the procedure for conducting the mid-term evaluation, to the extent not regulated by statutory provisions, is determined in the regulations of the doctoral school.

In the case of the Doctoral School of Social Sciences at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Resolution No. 30 of the Senate of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 23 April 2024 on the Regulations of Doctoral Schools at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”) applies.

This information aims to present the applicable rules, deadlines, and procedures related to conducting the mid-term evaluation of doctoral students at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences, NCU.

2. Obligation and Mode of Conducting the Mid-Term Evaluation

The Individual Research Plan (hereinafter: “IRP”) constitutes the primary document organizing the education process in the doctoral school. It is prepared by the doctoral student in agreement with the supervisor or supervisors and includes, in particular, a schedule for the preparation of the doctoral dissertation, the research problem, a description of the methodological foundations, and the planned deadline for submitting the doctoral dissertation.

The IRP is submitted for approval within 12 months from the date of commencing education at the doctoral school. The implementation of the assumptions contained in the IRP is subject to a mid-term evaluation conducted halfway through the education period specified in the curriculum, and in the case of a six-semester program – during the fourth semester.

The mid-term evaluation includes:

  • Analysis of documentation (see Section 4 “Documentation”);

  • An interview between the committee and the doctoral student.

It is permissible to conduct the interview using electronic means of communication that ensure direct real-time video and audio transmission and guarantee an appropriate level of security and confidentiality of the transmitted information (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype).

3. Deadlines for the Mid-Term Evaluation in the 2025/2026 Academic Year

  • The mid-term evaluation will be conducted in September 2026.

  • A detailed schedule of the interviews will be announced at least one month in advance.

  • Documentation constituting the basis for the mid-term evaluation must be submitted to the Secretariat of the Doctoral School of Social Sciences by 23 August 2026.

  • Each person subject to the mid-term evaluation will be individually informed of the date, time, and location of the interview or the electronic platform used for its implementation. The scheduled date and mode of the interview are non-negotiable and cannot be changed.

Economics and Finance – 28 September 2026, 3:30–5:00 p.m.

Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management –

Communication and Media Studies –

Political Science and Public Administration – 17 September 2026, 4:00–5:30 p.m.

Management and Quality Sciences – 17 September 2026, 9:30 a.m., on-site

Legal Sciences – 16 September 2026, 9:30–11:00 a.m.

Sociological Sciences –

Pedagogy – 21 September 2026, 11:00 a.m.

  • By 5 October 2026, the committees will establish the results of the mid-term evaluation. Minutes documenting the course of the evaluation—including both the documentation analysis and the interviews—along with the decisions of the committee and their justifications, signed by the committee chairs, will be submitted to the Doctoral School of Social Sciences, NCU, by 12 October 2026.

  • The results of the mid-term evaluation will be announced from 14 October 2026.

4. Committee Conducting the Mid-Term Evaluation

The mid-term evaluation is conducted by committees appointed by the Director of the Doctoral School in agreement with the chairs of the relevant discipline councils.

The committee consists of three members, including at least one person employed outside Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń who holds the habilitated doctor degree (doktor habilitowany) or the title of professor in the field and discipline corresponding to the subject of the prepared doctoral dissertation. This person serves as the chair of the committee.

The tasks of the chair include, in particular, organizing the work of the committee, setting the dates and manner of conducting interviews, preparing minutes, and preparing committee decisions.

The remaining members of the committee may be employed by the entity operating the doctoral school and should possess scientific competencies corresponding to the discipline represented by the evaluated doctoral student.

Members of the committee must not have a conflict of interest regarding the doctoral school, supervisor, supervisors, assistant supervisor, or the evaluated person. The supervisor, co-supervisor, or assistant supervisor of the evaluated doctoral student cannot serve as a committee member.

To conduct the mid-term evaluation in 2026, nine three-member committees will be appointed, corresponding to the disciplines represented by the doctoral students of the Doctoral School of Social Sciences.

The committees retain independence regarding the establishment of detailed evaluation criteria for the documentation and the interviews conducted with doctoral students. These criteria will be developed taking into account the specifics of individual disciplines and provided to the candidates prior to the interviews.

5. Documentation

Pursuant to § 31(1–9) of the Regulations of Doctoral Schools at NCU, the mid-term evaluation is conducted based on the documentation submitted by the doctoral student.

The following materials must be submitted:

  1. Individual Research Plan (IRP) approved by the supervisor, supervisors, or supervisor and assistant supervisor. The IRP should be approved by the supervisor in a manner that allows for clear confirmation of acceptance (e.g., signature, comment, or separate statement) and signed by the doctoral student. The document must contain a schedule for preparing the doctoral dissertation and the planned date of its submission.

  2. Report on the implementation of the Individual Research Plan, signed by the supervisor. The report should include information on progress in implementing the research or artistic project—in particular, a characterization of the results achieved and accomplishments, along with justifications for any changes to the project and adopted methodological assumptions, the degree of research schedule completion, internationalization activities, participation in conferences, internships, and other forms of scientific activity, organizational involvement, efforts to secure research funding, completion of professional training, classes, and specialized courses under Module III of the Curriculum, as well as other forms of competence development and scientific activity related to the ongoing project. Documentation confirming the reported achievements and activities must be attached to the report.

  3. List of scientific works published, accepted for publication, and submitted for publication, highlighting publications resulting from international cooperation. Copies of published texts and documentation confirming the progress of works currently being prepared for publication must be attached to the list.

  4. List of research internships completed at domestic and foreign scientific institutions, during which the doctoral student conducted research or presented its results.

  5. List of applications for funding of scientific research or artistic activity submitted to the university and external institutions.

  6. List of classes, courses, and workshops completed outside the mandatory curriculum that contributed to the development of scientific, professional, or social competencies.

  7. List of research projects carried out for external entities, particularly implementation, patent, and spin-off initiatives.

  8. Opinion of the supervisor or supervisors regarding progress in the preparation of the doctoral dissertation.

  9. Additional scientific opinions prepared by researchers from other academic centers (especially foreign ones) involved in the implementation of the research or artistic project (maximum of two).

  10. Other documents confirming scientific, organizational, or professional achievements relevant to the implementation of the Individual Research Plan, including information on research projects, grants, scientific conferences, professional practice, awards, and scholarships.

  11. Supporting documents for the listed activities, in particular certificates, grant decisions, scholarship documentation, and other materials confirming the achievements indicated in the documentation.

The specified materials must be submitted in electronic form (PDF files), following approval by the supervisor, by 23 August 2026.

The documentation must be sent to the following email address: ars@umk.pl.

Scanned documents must be complete and legible. In the case of the Individual Research Plan, the implementation report, and the supervisor’s opinion, signed scans of the documents are required.

Responsibility for the timely submission of complete documentation required for the mid-term evaluation procedure rests with the doctoral student. The documentation should be verified for completeness, compliance with formal requirements, and legibility of all attached materials prior to submission to the Doctoral School.

Documentation provided to committee members is shared in a manner that ensures data security and restricts access exclusively to individuals involved in the mid-term evaluation process.

6. Standard of Committee Actions and Determination of Results

Members of the committee are responsible for ensuring transparency, impartiality, and a high standard of academic quality in the mid-term evaluation.

The mid-term evaluation ends with either a positive or negative result. The committee is required to reach a decision regarding each doctoral student by 5 October 2026.

Minutes documenting the evaluation process—including the documentation analysis, the interview, and the committee’s decisions along with their justifications—signed by the committee chair, will be delivered to the Doctoral School of Social Sciences, NCU, by 9 October 2026.

Decisions containing the result of the mid-term evaluation and its justification are public. In accordance with the principles set out in the Code of Administrative Procedure, doctoral students have the right to inspect the case files and obtain copies, transcripts, and extracts of documents. The contents of the minutes may also be made available electronically via an ICT system.

Decisions concluding the procedure and stating the outcome of the mid-term evaluation will be issued to doctoral students and their supervisors starting 14 October 2026.

In accordance with the Regulations of Doctoral Schools at NCU, an application for reconsideration of the case may be submitted to the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń within 14 days from the date of delivery of the decision.

7. Administrative Consequences of the Result

  • Pursuant to Article 209 of the Act, a doctoral student without a doctoral degree receives a doctoral scholarship in the amount of at least 57% of a professor’s salary following the month in which the mid-term evaluation was conducted.

  • In the event of receiving a negative result in the mid-term evaluation, the doctoral student is removed from the list of doctoral students pursuant to Article 203(1)(1) of the Act.

  • Receiving a positive result confirms the proper implementation of the Individual Research Plan and enables the continuation of education at the doctoral school under the conditions specified in applicable legal regulations and the Regulations of Doctoral Schools at NCU.

Mid-Term Evaluation Schedule for the 2025/2026 Academic Year

Stage of the Procedure Deadline
Announcement of the mid-term evaluation schedule At least one month before the start of interviews
Deadline for documentation submission by doctoral students By 23 August 2026
Conducting interviews by evaluation committees September 2026
Determination of evaluation results by committees By 5 October 2026
Submission of minutes and decisions to the Doctoral School By 12 October 2026
Announcement of mid-term evaluation results From 14 October 2026
Deadline to submit a motion for reconsideration of the case 14 days from the date of delivery of the decision