Branch programme/details

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Application along with the research project and all appendices should be submitted online via student information system by April 30, 2025 at the latest. 

A research project must contain:

• the dissertation topic proposed,

• detailed definition of the research problem and proposal goals,

• envisaged research questions (hypotheses),

• discussion of relevant literature,

• for purely theoretical projects, an appropriate application of theories, and good orientation in relevant literature, including journals,

• for empirically oriented projects, research design and a set of methods considered, too,

• project time schedule,

• bibliography of sources cited in the proposal using a standard format (do not mistake for the list of literature read),

• the presupposed contribution of the thesis to the development of public and social policy as a field of study,

• the information about the preliminary consultation with the considered supervisor.

The length of the research project should be approximately 10 pages (appendices excluded).

In addition, the research project should include the lists of the literature read, published or elaborated papers, applicant's participation in research projects, and his or her other relevant preconditions to study. 

The entrance examination is composed of two rounds. During the first round, submitted research projects will be evaluated by the examination committee. Applicants will be informed about the results by May 19, 2025 at the latest. Only applicants, whose research projects will reach 16 or more points out of 30 possible, will be invited to pass an oral examination. This second part of the examination will be organized as a face-to-face interview in the period from June 9th to 20th, 2025. For serious reasons, interview via online platform will be also made possible. 

Applicants are expected to demonstrate their ability to defend their research project in critical discussion and prove that they

• can formulate research questions,

• understand their topic’s broader context, and

• are fairly knowledgeable in public and social policy and related disciplines.

Priority topics of research projects for entrance examination:

https://iss.fsv.cuni.cz/en/priority-topics

Criteria for entrance exam evaluation:

 1. Research proposal quality: up to 30 points.

 2. Priority topic of the research proposal, consulted with the potential supervisor in advance: up to 20 points. 

 3. Knowledge of the field’s theory foundations and methods: up to 10 points.

 4. Existing scholarly texts and experience (papers in scientific journals, books or their parts, participation in research projects): up to 10 points.

5. Feasibility of research project in terms of methodological, economic and organizational viability: up to 10 points.

 6. Applicant’s professional experience in public, civic, or commercial sector: up to 10 points.

 7. Command of English: up to 10 points. 

Maximum number of points: 100.

Resulting points are consensually agreed upon by members of the examination committee. 

The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, taking into account the number of applicants and the capacity of the faculty.

See also General admission conditions.

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

Based on the request of the applicant for doctoral studies and the recommendation of the guarantor of the doctoral study programme, the Dean may waive the entrance examination if the applicant is a member of research team of the ERC or ERC-CZ project.

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