Public Economics and Policy

Prospects of graduates

The graduate is proficient in the current state of knowledge in the field of Economics and Management with an emphasis on public economics and policy theory in an international context. He/she has the ability to systematically understand the interrelationships and contexts of the functioning of the public, private and non-profit sectors in the economy (Macroeconomics, Microeconomics). Understands the rationale for government intervention, i.e., the content of public sector industries (what?). Knows the methods of implementing state interventions, i.e., the economics and management of public sector industries (how?). Understands the distributional contexts of state interventions (for whom?), and the principles of decision-making about the implementation of state interventions (how are decisions made in the public sector?). He or she addresses the above basic questions of public economics scientifically in accordance with the current state of knowledge by mastering the skills and methods of scientific research (Methodology and Ethics of Scientific Work 1, 2, Quantitative Methods in Public Policy) and interdisciplinary contexts on the functioning of the public economy (Public Economics, Economics and Management of Public Services), public policy making and implementation (Public policy, Evaluation of public policy programmes, Civil society), public finance system (Public finance) at all levels of public administration (Local and regional economy and policy, Public administration and regional development).

The graduate is proficient in scientific methods of work, which he/she is able to use independently and creatively in scientific and research activities and in demanding practical conceptual work. He or she has in[1]depth knowledge, an understanding of broader relationships and a sophisticated knowledge of scientific and research methods and procedures that meet international criteria. The graduate demonstrates the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a large-scale research process with academic integrity, while being able to develop and offer his/her own solutions to problems in the field of public sector economics and public policy based on theoretical understanding of the problem (Active involvement in scientific research projects). During his/her studies, he/she publishes the results of his/her scientific research activities, which are subjected to domestic and international review in scientific forums and journals (Contributions of top international quality, Publication outputs).

During his/her studies, he/she will produce a comprehensive qualifying work (Dissertation Project for the Dissertation Examination, Dissertation), which will contribute to expanding and pushing the boundaries of knowledge of the problems of public economics and policy through original research. The graduate is able to identify and critically analyze a problem, evaluate the results of his/her research and synthesize new and comprehensive solutions and ideas with application not only in the development of theory but also in social practice.

In the field of communication skills, the graduate is able to handle professional discussion at national and international scientific conferences (Active presentation at conferences). He/she is able to consult, argue and defend his/her methodological approach and proposed solutions in both internal and external environments (Foreign scientific mobility). During the PhD, the graduate actively develops cross-cutting skills such as analytical thinking, digital skills, communication and interpersonal skills, creativity and cognitive skills that will help him/her to find employment, both within and outside the academic sector.

The graduate will find employment in particular in scientific research workplaces, universities, and central offices of a conceptual nature in the creation of methodological, forecasting and decision-making materials, the application of which is desirable in the development of new products and systems in the public sector economy, the implementation of new public policies and schemes promoting knowledge-based social progress. Graduates will also find employment in multinational analytical consulting firms and supranational institutions.

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Conditions of admission

All doctoral study programmes of the Economics Faculty of MBU have the same admission conditions.
The basic condition for admission to Doctoral study is completion of the Master study.
An applicant who does not prove that the basic admission condition for study has been met at the time of verification of compliance with the admission conditions may be admitted to the study conditionally, for study has bane met no later than the date designated for enrollment in study.
Another condition determined by the faculty is the successful passing of the entrance exam.
Before the admission process starts, the faculty announces the topics of dissertation theses, which are published on the faculty's website according to the academic year schedule, no later than February 13, 2026. Each of the listed topics has a designated supervisor. Applicants for doctoral studies must apply for one of the listed topics. After choosing a topic, the applicant should approach the supervisor and, with his/her cooperation, prepares a written dissertation project. Only one applicant can be accepted for one dissertation topic.

Additional information

After choosing a topic, the candidate should approach the supervisor and, with his/her cooperation, prepare a written dissertation project for its elaboration, which includes: the rationale for the choice of the topic, the theoretical background, aim, methods and expected outcomes.

Topics of dissertations | Doctoral Study (PhD.) | Faculty of Economics University of Matej Bel

Conditions for international students

Applicants for Doctoral study who competed their previous level of education abroad (except the Czech Republic) are obliged to submit their Recognition of the document of education obtained outside the territory of the Slovak Republic.
If an applicant for study does not submit a Clause on the recognition of the degree of education together with the mandatory annexes (in the case of applicants for Bachelor study who completed secondary education in one of the EU countries except the Czech Republic, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia, China or Iceland) or a verified copy of the Recognition of the educational document (in the case of other applicants) by the time of verification of the fulfilment of the admission conditions to the given faculty, he/ she can be admitted to the study with a condition. The applicant is obliged to submit the above-mentioned documents no later than the specified date of enrolment for university study.
A foreign applicant (except an applicant from the Czech Republic), applying for a study program taught in the Slovak language, is required to demonstrate knowledge of the Slovak language at level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
A verified photocopy of the Slovak language proficiency certificate issued by Slovak language schools registered by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic in the Network of Schools and Educational Facilities of the Slovak Republic or issued by another University in the Slovak Republic which organizes or provides language or professional preparation for university study, is obliged to submit no later than the specified date of enrolment for university study.
A notarized photocopy of the certificate must be delivered to the faculty in a paper version (the electronic version is not sufficient).
The applicant who has passed his/ her school leaving exam in Slovak language or has completed (or will complete in the given academic year) a Bachelor´s degree or a Master´s degree in Slovak language is exempt from the obligation to submit a certificate of knowledge of the Slovak language at level B1.
An applicant who fails to prove compliance with the basic admission condition (§ 56 of Act No. 131/2002 Coll. On Higer Education Institutions and on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Acts, as amended) and another specified condition (submission of a verified photocopy of a certificate of proficiency in the Slovak language at level B1) at the time of verification of compliance with the admission conditions (on the day when the admission committee is held) may be admitted to the study conditionally, provided that he/ she is obliged to prove compliance with the specified admission condition for the study no later than the specified date of enrolment for higher education studies.

Coordinator for students with specific needs

doc. Ing. Radoslav Kožiak, PhD.
tel: 048/446 2014
e-mail: radoslav.koziak@umb.sk

General information on the admission exam

The admission procedure provides an opportunity for applicants to prove that they meet certain admission requirements for study in order to become a student of a chosen study programme at the Faculty.
The admission procedure begins after the applicant delivers his / her written application form for study to the Faculty.
Applicant fill in the application
- in electronic form (information about the electronic admission and required enclosures will be published on the Faculty´s website);
- or in paper form (current application form for universities can be downloaded from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic webpage).
EF UMB prefers applications in electronic form.
Applicants may only submit one application at one level of study and to one study programme.
The application must be sent to the Faculty by these deadlines. For the 3rd level degree programmes, the deadline is 29 May 2026. The electronic application for the third degree of study must also be confirmed with documentation in paper form.
Delivery address: Ekonomická fakulta UMB, referát VVČ a DrŠ, Tajovského 10, 974 90 Banská Bystrica, Slovak Republic

Form of entrance exam

The entrance exam in full-time study and part-time study consists of the following parts:
a) Presentation of the candidate's written dissertation project in English, discussion of the project in Slovak,
b) Assessment of the applicant's previous activity in scientific activity (publication and scientific research activity).
The maximum number of points candidate can achieve for full-time study is 100.
The scoring of the entrance exam is as follows:
a) Written project and its presentation 85 points, out of which:
• theoretical background of research (literature review): 25 points
• intended objectives: 10 points
• intended research methods: 20 points
• expected results and outputs: 10 points
• project presentation and discussion: 20 points
b) Scientific research activity during or after completion of the Master's study, e.g. active participation in the student scientific conference or a similar scientific event; participation in a research project/presentation resulting in a professional/scientific event; publication of professional/scientific papers): 15 points

Note: Applicants for doctoral study in study programs in English both full-time and part-time study will present their project and discuss it in English at the entrance exam.

The entrance examination of applicants for full-time and part-time study is conducted before the Exam Board. The composition of exam boards for study programs is determined by the dean of the faculty based on the proposals of the persons responsible for individual doctoral study programs. With the consent of the chair, the board can invite the supervisor whose topic has been chosen by the candidate.
The dean determines the minimum number of points required for successful completion of the entrance exam and admission to individual study programs. Applicants who take the entrance exam will be accepted according to the total number of points achieved in the admission procedure until the planned capacity of individual study programs in individual forms of study is filled.
An applicant who has met the conditions for admission to study but is not admitted to the chosen study program due to capacity reasons, can be accepted by the dean for another form of study in the chosen study program.
At the same time with the acceptance of candidates for doctoral studies, the dean will specify the training places in the notification to the doctoral students, and for full-time doctoral students, the place of their work performance.

Apply the application for study

02.03.2026 - 29.05.2026
Performance of the entrance exam

22.06.2026 - 26.06.2026

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Anticipated number of applicants to be accepted: 1

Additions

Notarized copy of diploma from Masters study (paper form, electronic form)
Other Attachments (paper form, electronic form)
Recommendation No 1 (paper form, electronic form)
Recommendation No 2 (paper form, electronic form)
Proof of Payment (paper form, electronic form)
Framework project (paper form, electronic form)
List of published and non-published papers, reviews of these papers (paper form, electronic form)
Notarized copy of certificate of state final exam (paper form, electronic form)
Curriculum vitae (paper form, electronic form)

Annual tuition fees
Standard length of study: 1300 €
Study longer than the standard length of study program, parallel studies: 1300 €
Additional information about the annual school year:
<p>The amount of tuition fees for the following academic year is determined by a university directive, which is approved and published, usually in December.</p>
go to internal school policy

The fee for admission procedure
application form: 70 €
E-application form: 50 €

Billing information

BILLING INFORMATION (also published on the website: www.umb.sk/studium/uchadzac/platby-prijimacie-konanie.html ):

1. Payment of the fee from EU countries:
Account name: Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici
Bank name and address: Štátna pokladnica, Radlinského 32, 810 05 Bratislava 15
Account no. / IBAN: SK75 8180 0000 0070 0009 5590
SWIFT/BIC: SPSRSKBA
VS (variable symbol): 1033 (Doctoral study)
KS (constant symbol): 0308 – cashless payments
Specific symbol: Birth ID no. (for Slovak applicants)
Date of birth in the form DDMMYY (for foreign applicants)
Message to recipient: name and surname of applicant
Note: All charges will be debited to the payer.

2. Payment of the fee through intermediary bank from third countries:
Account name: Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici
Bank name and address: Všeobecná úverová banka, a. s., Mlynské Nivy 1, 829 90 Bratislava
Account no. / IBAN: SK75 8180 0000 0070 0009 5590
SWIFT/BIC: SUBASKBXXXX
VS (variable symbol): 1033 (Doctoral degree)
KS (constant symbol): 0308 – cashless payments
Specific symbol: Birth ID no. (for Slovak applicants)
Date of birth in the form DDMMYY (for foreign applicants)
Message to recipient: name and surname of applicant
Note: All charges will be debited to the payer.

Due to the automated fee processing in the information system, we can only accept non-cash payments.

The payment of the fee for the admission procedure must be made by the applicant or a person authorised by the applicant via bank transfer no later than the last day when it is possible to send the application form for study. Application form for study without paying the fee in the specified amount for the admission procedure will not be accepted.

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We will send you all the information about important events and deadlines.

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