Branch programme/details

Master in International Security Studies (MISS) is a two-year English-language Master's degree programme, which offers students a complex guide through security, conflict and strategic studies in the context of international relations. Moreover, dual degrees are being offered in cooperation with the University of Konstanz (Germany) and newly also with the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom).

Security studies already have several decades of history behind them, in the course of which their shape and area of concern have changed markedly. Throughout the Cold War, it was a field closely wedded to war studies and military science, and it concentrated on questions dealing with nuclear weapons, disarmament, and potential confrontations between the superpowers. After the end of the Cold War, security studies underwent a significant transformation, which, along with the ever-widening understanding of the notion of security, began to move beyond purely military questions to include themes such as environment, human security, ethnic conflicts, irregular conflict, radicalization, and the debate about natural resources and energy.  The current multifaceted shape of the field is the result of this dynamic process.

MISS promotes a progressive approach to teaching which, among other things, includes reducing class sizes and an emphasis on interactive seminars.  Our pedagogical instructors aim to conduct their classes through presentations, discussions or simulations incorporating students, rather than through a one-sided monologue of facts which can be acquired by other means.  This logically requires extensive preparation on the part of the student outside the class through extensive reading of the course texts. The main goal of this is to streamline the teaching process through actively involving the students in class and making it possible for them to present their opinions on and understandings of the material.

In collaboration with University of Konstanz and University of Glasgow, dual degrees are also being offered. For more information about the latter programme, which combines MISS with MSc. International Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies, please refer here.  

To complete the programme the students must collect 120 ECTS credits, defend their Master’s Thesis and pass the final state examination.

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 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.

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 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 and given a ranking from 0 - 100 points. The following criteria will be evaluated: (i) Study results (0-50); (ii) Motivation (0-50). 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.