The PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) academic degree is awarded to individuals who possess the capacity to conduct independent scientific research, create scientific innovations, and engage in scientific and pedagogical activities in the fields of higher education and science. The procedure for awarding this academic degree is regulated by the current legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The process of PhD training and dissertation defense is based on the following main regulatory and legal documents:

- Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Education”;

- Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 304 dated May 22, 2017, “On Measures to Improve the System of Postgraduate Education”; 

- Regulations on the Scientific Council for the Awarding of Academic Degrees; - Resolution of the Higher Attestation Commission under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Approval of the Rules for the Execution of Dissertations and Abstracts of Dissertations." 

A person applying for a PhD degree must have a master's degree or an equivalent educational degree. Applicants are admitted to doctoral studies (PhD) on a competitive basis. The acceptance process is carried out in accordance with the relevant decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers. The applicant takes an exam in a specialized subject and a foreign language or submits a national or international certificate of the established level.

The scientific supervisor for the researcher and the topic of the dissertation are approved by the Scientific Council. An individual work plan for three years and a Theoretical Methodological Program for one year are developed by the researcher and the scientific supervisor and approved by the scientific council. Research work is carried out on the basis of this individual work plan.

To be admitted to the defense of a dissertation, a candidate for a PhD degree must have published at least 3 domestic and 1 foreign scientific articles and 3 theses on the topic of the dissertation. Scientific journals in which articles and abstracts are published must be included in the list of scientific publications approved by the Higher Attestation Commission.

The dissertation is prepared in accordance with the established requirements and is subject to mandatory anti-plagiarism testing. After that, the dissertation will be discussed at a scientific seminar at the department and scientific organization, and a conclusion will be given on the recommendation for defense.

After the scientific seminar gives a positive conclusion, the dissertation materials are submitted to the specialized scientific council. The Council appoints official opponents, distributes the abstract and sets the date of the open defense

The defense of the PhD dissertation is conducted in an open format. Based on the results of the defense, the specialized academic council makes a decision by secret ballot.

In case of a positive decision, the documents are submitted electronically to the Higher Attestation Commission under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Official electronic portals for submitting documents for PhD dissertations:

- Electronic system for postgraduate education

- Website Supreme Attestation Commission under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations

After the documents are reviewed by the Higher Attestation Commission and a positive decision is made, the applicant is awarded the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) academic degree, and a state-standard diploma is issued.