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:

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

a) Copy of a diploma to show completed secondary (or higher) studies, or confirmation that ongoing secondary 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 d) The recommended length of the motivation letter is approximately 2 000 characters, including spaces.

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;
• Duolingo English Test (DET) - the minimum required overall score of 110, with the subscore of 95 or above in all four components.

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. Only complete applications will be considered. Personal data will be used exclusively for organising the course enrollments.

Entrance Examination

The Assessment process is two-round and includes a written examination.

First round:

The admissions committee will assess applicants on the basis of the submitted documents. Firstly, the documents proving English proficiency are examined for the level required for study. Only those applications that fulfill the requirements for English proficiency are assessed further by the admissions committee. The following criteria will be evaluated: (i) academic background (grades in previous studies, extra-curricular activity relevant for social sciences, International Baccalaureate, previous university study): 0-30 points, (ii) Motivation Letter: 0-30 points.

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

Second round:

(iii) Written essay - Applicants will write a short reflection (350-500 words) on one of three assigned topics focused on current social issues. The exam will take the form of online writing with distant proctoring. Evaluation criteria: adherence to the topic, academic level, originality of argumentation and formal structure, including language style; in total 0-40 points.

The final ranking of applicants will be determined by a sum of awarded points (ranging between 0-100). 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 Bachelor's studies is conditioned by completed secondary education confirmed by a school-leaving certificate.