Branch programme/details

Grounded in the academic field of Media and Communication Studies, the study programme emphasises the study and understanding of the theories, research methodologies and practices of media organisations and communicational practices, embedded in, and contextualised by, a multitude of broader societal processes. The doctoral study contributes to critical thinking about the communicative dimension of (late) modern societies, about the opportunities and risks related to society-wide communication processes and about the changes in how communication has been institutionalised. The study programme will enable the doctoral students to become familiar with national and international research traditions in the field of Media and Communication Studies, their different conceptual frameworks and their methodological procedures. The students will gain an in-depth comprehension of media and communication-related processes, structures and trends, contextualised by other academic fields in the social sciences and humanities, and with respect for the diversity within the field of Media and Communication Studies, for instance, including attention for mediated and networked communication, strategic communication, political communication and journalism. The study programme also aims to provide training to its students in relation to research and publication skills, pedagogical skills and organisational skills, through both teaching and the creation of hands-on experience.

The application is submitted either electronically via the Study Information System or by post to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Smetanovo nábřeží 6, 110 01 Prague 1, no later than April 30, 2024.

The admission procedure verifies whether the candidate fulfils the requirements of a specialized study in the doctoral study program Media and Communication studies. The admission procedure consists of two rounds. Round one takes the form of the evaluation of a written dissertation project, whose characteristics are described below. Only those candidates who pass round 1 will be invited for the oral examination (interview) in round 2. Only the applicant who successfully passes the entire two-stage admission procedure is admitted to the PhD studies.

Dissertation projects submitted for the admission procedure must relate to the field of communication and media research. The project preferably connects with research done at the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism (ICSJ), but applicants may submit projects on other topics as well.

In all cases, candidates are very strongly advised to consult with a potential supervisor in the preparatory phase and have their project proposal endorsed by this potential supervisor before submitting the project proposal.

Research activities at ICSJ focus on the following areas, amongst others:

-          Development of media, their position in society, and their relationship to other social institutions, from a historical perspective (preferably in relation to the 20^th century) and from a contemporary perspective;

-          The position and role of journalism, and the journalistic representation of social realities, including alternative forms of journalism (and media);

-          The state and role of strategic communication and political communication/marketing;

-          The discursive-ideological and mediated construction of social realities, such as the environment & nature, migration, nation and democracy, home and everyday life, history and memory, and technology;

-          Audience behaviours and audience interpretations of media content.

Dissertation project proposals need to have the following components:

-          Name of the applicant

-          Title in English and in Czech

-          Abstract in English and in Czech

-          Name of the academic ICSJ member who was consulted

-          Objectives, main research question and secondary research questions

-          Context of the proposal

-          Theoretical framework

-          Methodologies, methods and research design

-          Time plan

-          Relation to the research performed at ICSJ

-          Reference list

The entry exam consists of two rounds:

First round consists of the evaluation of the submitted dissertation project by the admission board. The board will mark the dissertation project on a scale of 25, with 25 being the best mark. The board will also set the required threshold in points for the advance to the second round.

Only applicants whose project passes the threshold will be invited into the second round. Those who do not pass the threshold will have their application rejected. The entrance oral examination takes place in the presence of the admission board. The interview examines the applicant's knowledge of communication and media theory and research methodology. The oral exam also consists of an in-depth discussion of the submitted dissertation project.

By April 30, 2024, the applicant must submit the dissertation project, together with a structured curriculum vitae and a list of literature that he/she has studied, as an attachment to an electronic or paper application. The minimum required length of the dissertation project (including the list of literature) is 10 pages. An applicant who does not submit a complete submission, within the given deadline, will have his/her application rejected.

More information about the dissertation project including priority topics of dissertations and the form for filling your dissertation project can be found on the website of the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism. 

Criteria for evaluation of entrance examinations:

Round 1: Academic quality of the dissertation project at the level of research questions, theoretical framework, methodology, research design and their articulation; Feasibility and relevance of the project; Degree of its connection to the expertise present at, and research focus of the ICSJ;

Round 2: Quality and completeness of responses at the interview in relation to the written dissertation project, and in relation to the knowledge of the field of communication and media studies and the relevant theoretical, methodological and empirical literature, as communicated during the interview.

Applicants will be evaluated according to:

Round 1:

1. Quality of the dissertation project (max. 25 points)

Round 2:

1. Points from first round (max. 25 points)

2. Quality of the presentation of, and discussion on the submitted dissertation project and list of literature (max. 15 points)

In the second round, the applicant may receive up to 15 points.

The applicant may receive up to 40 points in total.

The members of the committee evaluate the individual categories of evaluation; the point sum is then averaged for each category and added up to get the final score. The point of admission is set by the Dean, taking into account the total number of applicants seeking the entrance examination and the capacity of the institute and faculty.

See also the General and faculty requirements

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

Graduates of the Media and Communication Studies doctoral programme are able to independently and critically define and theoretically grasp complex societal (communication-related) problems and apply scientific methods to research and understand these problems. Graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable them to critically deploy theoretical concepts and methods to better understand communication and media processes. At the same time, graduates are able to critically analyse the interactions between media and communication processes and other societal subsystems or institutions, related to culture, education, law, governance, politics, economy and business, and develop expert or policy recommendations, pertaining to the operation or regulation of these fields and institutions when it comes to communication and media related aspects and activity.