Branch programme/details

The MA Programme in Sociology of Contemporary Societies is a two-year English-language Master’s programme designed for students interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of the state of the present-day field of sociology and social anthropology, including their theory and research methods. It features a strong core of sociology and social anthropological courses in three specializations: 1. Civil Society and Politics; 2. Anthropology of Space and Mobility; 3. Identities, Health and Bodies. The Civil Society and Politics specialization provides students with a deep understanding of how contemporary complex societies work. Students acquire the theoretical and practical skills in political sociology, anthropology of nationalism, and the non-profit sector. They will learn to analyze various aspects of public life systematically. The Anthropology of Space and Mobility specialization brings in-depth knowledge of the globalized world, its dynamics, migratory movements, social mobility, and enables these phenomena to be deeply understood, and applied in the field of urban planning, migratory politics, and analysing global developments. The Identities, Health and Bodies specialization develops the profound knowledge and practical skills required to conduct sociological and social anthropological research in the field of medical anthropology, health sociology, lifestyle studies, sociology of sport, and gender studies. In all specializations, students can choose either to focus on quantitative or qualitative research methodology. All specializations provide prerequisites for their graduates to be employed in the education sector, state and public administration, the non-profit sector and corporate organizations. In addition to preparing for an out-of-academic deployment, this study creates the preconditions for an academic career and postgraduate studies.

More information about the programme is available at: http://studyatiss.fsv.cuni.cz/master-in-sociology-in-european-context/.

Description of verification and evaluation criteria:

In addition to the application form, every applicant needs to provide the following documents:

a) Copy of a diploma to show completed Bachelor (or higher) studies or confirmation that ongoing Bachelor studies will be completed in the current academic year;

b) Transcript of records and academic results from previous studies;

c) Structured CV;

d) Motivation letter;

e) Document showing the level of English proficiency

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

Ad e) Applicants should provide a certificate from one of following standardized tests:

• IELTS Academic - the minimum required overall band score of 6.5, with band score 6.0 or above in all four components;
  
  

• TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) & TOEFL iBT Home Edition - the minimum required overall score of 83, with a minimum scaled score in the four sections: reading 19, writing 24, listening 20, speaking 20;
  
  

• Cambridge ESOL FCE - minimum Cambridge English Scale Score of 180;
  
  

• Cambridge ESOL CAE and CPE receiving a certificate.
  
  

A standardized English test is not required from applicants who:

• are native English speakers;
  
  

• have studied in English at the secondary school level for at least two years;
  
  

• have studied in English at the university level for at least one year;
  
  

• have worked for at least one year at a company where the language of communication was English.
  
  

When a score from an English-language test is not presented, the applicants should provide a certificate of their use of English during their prior studies or employment to support their claim. The certificate should contain contact information (an email address and a telephone number) to a person (a programme director, or an employee supervisor) who can confirm the scope of the use of the English language in the program or employment.

The admissions committee will use a ranking system of points 0–100, on the basis of the documents submitted. The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean. There are no limits in terms of the capacity of particular specialization.

The entrance exam consists of:

1. Ranking 0-40 points for submitted certificates showing Bachelor's or Master's studies. Commission assesses the quality of the previous education and study results.

2. Ranking 0-40  points for motivation for the study (committee assesses the quality of motivation letter, student´s knowledge about the programme, the objectives with which the student proceeds to study, the practice in the field of study).

3. Ranking 0-20 points for completed courses in sociology or social anthropology

Results from the applicant's previous studies must be evidenced in a transcript of academic results from the final years of study. This transcript, confirmed by the academic department, faculty, or college, should be scanned and sent as an attachment with the online application. For every subject in the field of sociology or social anthropology which applicants have taken and passed in their previous studies, a bonus of 2 points will be added. However, it is not possible to reach more than a total of 20 points. Applicants are ranked using the points system, and the point limit for being accepted is set by the Dean.

Admission to Master's studies is conditioned by completed secondary education confirmed by a school-leaving certificate. Admission to Post-Bachelor studies (Master's programme) is likewise conditioned by completed education in any type of study programme.