Branch programme/details

Geopolitical Studies (GPS) is a unique, multidisciplinary, two-year English-language programme, offering students a chance to learn from the best academics and experts. Moreover, an optional double degree is being offered in cooperation with the National Taiwan University.

The programme is primarily based on a geopolitical analysis but also includes aspects of international relations theory and international law. The Geopolitical Studies programme studies how the interactions between world politics and geography have unfolded in the most relevant geopolitical settings. The programme gives students an opportunity to gain a profound knowledge of geopolitics and geostrategy, two disciplines which are becoming ever more important. The mandatory courses will provide the necessary theoretical background, while the electives will enable students to choose their thematic and/or regional specialization according to their preference.

Some of the areas that the specialized courses and modules will focus on include:

• World politics, great powers geopolitics, global power shifts, border hardening;
• Disintegration processes, failed states, violent non-state actors, unrecognized states;
• War, natural resources and conflicts, international law;
• Political risk analysis, foreign policy analysis;
• World regions and their position in the current global order.

Students will be introduced to the key concepts and theories and to the methodology and approaches to conducting proper research in this field. Simulation and practical exercises will be also employed to enable the students to apply the knowledge gained to solve problems, which could occur in real-world scenarios.

Highly focused on employability – outside speakers will provide networking opportunities. The programme includes discussions with experts outside the academy. The programme offers an advanced grounding in geopolitics and security while allowing you to specialize in issues and themes of interest to you. There is a strong emphasis on skills development, especially communication.

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 the 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 21, writing 22, 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.

All documents which are not originally in Czech, Slovak or English must be officially translated into English.

The admissions committee will assess applicants for study on the basis of the documents submitted and give them a ranking 0-100 points. The structure of points is as follows: the academic credibility of the university attended by the applicant graduated (0-30); motivation and recommendation (0-20), grade points evaluating the provided transcript and assessment of the preparedness of the applicant to meet the coursework requirements of GPS (0-30); proficiency in English (0-20). The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean with respect to the number of applicants and the capacity of the programme.

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.

A graduate of the GPS should be able to reflect, using his/her acquired knowledge of theoretical premises, on the dynamic of changes of politico-spatial relations, brought by the current economical, political and social development. The theoretical basis should allow for an independent analytical research of territorial issues, including their critical analysis, for the purpose of the public or the private sectors. Graduates are prepared to work in state administration, political parties, international institutions or in the private sector (for instance as consultants in multinational corporations). Theoretically oriented students can work as scientists or university pedagogues.