Branch programme/details

Programme offered jointly by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences

The language of instruction is English. Political Science is a fee-paying programme; the annual tuition fee is EUR 2,500.

Entrance examination: two rounds

During the first round, the examining board will assess the submitted proposals based on their quality and compatibility with the topics identified as priority for the specific academic year.

Content, subject matter of entrance examination

first part – assessment of dissertation proposal (max. 30 points)
assessment criteria:
clearly formulated and highly professional, with only minor shortcomings: 23–30 points;
clearly formulated and highly professional, with more serious shortcomings, though acceptable: 15–22 points;
weak and unpersuasive, likelihood of successfully implementing proposal is only hypothetical: 7–14 points;
completely insufficient, suggesting non-existent grounding in the topic: 0–6 points.

All applicants who acquire at least 15 points in the first part are invited to the oral part.

second (oral) part (max. 30 points)
1. Discussion of submitted proposal for PhD dissertation: 0–20 points
2. Assessment of the applicant’s previous academic activities: 0–10 points

The discussion of the proposal will focus on the following:
• The goals of the dissertation research,
• The theoretical and methodological foundations of the proposal,
• The feasibility of the research and its limits.
When assessing academic activities, careful attention will be given to whether the applicant’s academic publications (articles, papers, essays) relate to the proposed dissertation topic.

Recommended areas for dissertation project proposal:
• democracy and political order
• history of ideas: important events of Czech and world history from the perspective of the practical application of political ideas

PhD topics must be consulted beforehand with the Faculty of Arts’ contact person. Contact person: doc. PhDr. Ing. Milan Znoj, CSc. (milan.znoj@ff.cuni.cz). Chair of the Subject Area Board (Programme Director): prof. PhDr. Blanka Říchová, CSc. (Faculty of Social Sciences), e-mail: blanka.richova@fsv.cuni.cz.

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An applicant can only be admitted if they submitted a proof of their language competence for study in the respective programme, are awarded a minimum of 30 points in the entrance examination and, at the same time, score enough points to place among the expected number of students admitted to the respective programme of study (see the admissions procedure requirements applicable to the individual programmes of study); admissions will be granted to all applicants who score the same number of points as the applicant who comes in last place in the ranking of admissions. Please note that different expected numbers of admissions apply to full-time and combined forms of study. Applicants cannot be admitted without submitting evidence of their prior education no later than on the enrolment day (refer to 5.4 hereof).

Admission to Doctoral studies is conditioned by successful completion of a Master's study programme.

Verification method:	entrance exam
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:	14.06.2023	Until:	16.06.2023
Alternative date (of entrance exam):	22.06.2023	Until:	22.06.2023

Graduates of the doctoral programme in Political Science have theoretical and methodological expertise and the ability to apply these skills to analysis as well as to critically reflect various approaches to analysis and to select relevant research methods. They have the ability to further develop their knowledge and participate in preparing and implementing international grant projects. Furthermore, graduates have skills in team work and participation in multidisciplinary projects. They are also able to conduct analyses of contemporary trends taking into consideration their historical roots and the actors’ cultural specificities.