Branch programme/details

The program is based on an interdisciplinary approach to develop students' analytical skills in the field of social sciences. While individual courses are grounded in disciplines (sociology, public policy, media studies, political science, social anthropology, economics, environmentalism), the main direction of instruction is to explore current issues that are transdisciplinary in nature, such as coping with complexity, governance, mediatization of social relationships or the interaction between society, technology and the natural environment. The second pillar of the program is the methodology of social research (about 30% of credits), which is considered a prerequisite for developing analytical skills and for finding effective solutions to complex issues. In the methodology training, both analytical and interpretative approaches are taught. In comparison with similar programs, higher attention will be paid to the preparation of the bachelor thesis. The emphasis on the bachelor thesis will contribute not only to the development of students’ soft skills (linguistic, presentation, expressive) but will also serve as a preparation for project-oriented research that dominates the current organisation of expert knowledge production. The composition of elective courses corresponds to the large and assorted portfolio of courses offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and allows individual students to profile themselves, also with a view to follow-up studies.

Description of verification and evaluation criteria:

Every applicant needs to provide (in addition to her/his application form) following documents (all in English):

a) CV

b) Copy of a diploma to show completed secondary studies, or confirmation of ongoing secondary studies in the academic year that those studies will be completed

c) Transcript of marks and academic results from previous secondary studies

d) Document showing level achieved in the English language.

e) Motivation letter.

Ad b) Confirmation of studies may be substituted with a transcript of marks, provided that these are from the same academic year as the application.

Ad d)  Applicants who are native speakers of English or whose studies were conducted in English do not need to provide evidence of their level of English. Other applicants should provide one of the following results: IELTS Academic - minimum required overall band score of 6.5, with band score 6.0 or above in all  four components, TOEFL Internet Based Test - minimum required overall score of 80, or Cambridge ESOL FCE - minimum scale score of 173. While these certified scores can be substituted by a decent secondary school exam grade, preference will be given to candidates with internationally recognised test scores.

Only test results from within the previous two calendar years can be accepted

All documents which are not originally in Czech, Slovak or English, must be officially translated into English. Only complete applications will be considered. Personal data will be used exclusively for organising the course enrollments.

Entrance Examination

The entrance examination is two-round.

First round:

The admission committee will assess individual applicants regarding their

(i) academic background (grades from previous secondary studies): 0-30 points,

(ii) English proficiency: 0-30 points,

(iii) Motivation Letter: 0-30 points.

Based on ranking of applicants in the first round the Dean shortlists candidates for for the second round.

Second round:

Applicants will write an essay online on assigned topic related to actual social issues: 0-50.

The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean.