Branch programme/details

The language of instruction is English. The annual tuition fee is 25,000 CZK.

Programme offered jointly by the Faculty of Arts and the Institute of Contemporary History of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Entrance examination: single round – oral interview

Content and subject matter of entrance examination:

1. Submitted proposal for PhD dissertation, and discussion of this proposal, with some parts of the discussion held in English: 0–35 points
2. Assessment of the applicant’s previous studies, research, and other academic activities (successful master’s thesis or a part thereof): 0–15 points
3. Assessment of the applicant’s knowledge of a language used in the region to test whether the knowledge is sufficient to allow for successful completion of the dissertation project: 0–10 points

The programme is open to graduates of master’s studies only. Applicants for the PhD programme must demonstrate an excellent grounding in the field in addition to a clear vision of their future work.  Specifically, this means showing potential skills in independent research, a solid grounding in the field’s research methods and a basic knowledge of literature related to the prospective dissertation project in addition to the ability to read secondary literature in English (or preferably multiple languages) prior to joining the programme.

In order to succeed in the programme, applicants must have a knowledge of the relevant language sufficient enough to allow them to complete the dissertation project; the competence required is not necessarily complex linguistic knowledge, but skills in the aspects of the language relevant to the project (e.g. passive knowledge of the older version of the language if the applicant is intending to conduct history-oriented research; on the other hand, applicants planning field research should have skills in the modern spoken language, etc.).

Applicants must submit a dissertation proposal as part of their application; the applicant should consult the prospective supervisor and the director of the programme in advance. During the entrance examination, the proposal is discussed to test the applicant’s knowledge of the fundamental theoretical concepts of the field and their grounding in topics related to the prospective dissertation project, as well as the ability to speak about discipline-related topics in English. In addition, the examining board assesses the applicant’s academic background, including previous studies, practical experience or, where appropriate, the list of publications in the field or related disciplines.

Where projects revolve around research working with materials in one or more of the source languages, the examination board will place a huge emphasis on the applicant’s ability to use these languages. Furthermore, candidates must demonstrate that they are prepared to conduct their research project in terms of the physical availability and nature of the source material, given the possibilities and limitations afforded by the study programme.

Applicants must consult the Chair of the Subject Area Board about the topic of their PhD dissertation in advance. Chair of the Subject Area Board (Programme Director): Associate Professor PhDr. Pavel Sládek, Ph.D., e-mail: pavel.sladek@ff.cuni.cz.

--------------------------------

Conditions of the admission procedure: https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/prijimacky/index.php?do=info_fakulta&fak=11210

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

proof of language competence, i.e. scan of any of the following documents of language competence in English is a mandatory attachment:

• secondary school-leaving examination with a curriculum realised in English;
• proof of completion of any university degree programme accredited in English;
• proof of completion of a language examination in English at B2 level or higher, completed as part of any university course;
• proof of successful completion of any certified examination in English at B2 level or higher according to the list below, whereby no certified examinations other than those listed above will be taken into account:

English

Level B2

• FCE – First Certificate in English
• IELTS 5.5 – 6.4
• BEC 2 - The Business English Certificate 2
• STANAG 6001 - 2nd degree (examination of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic)
• state basic language examination
• TOEFL paper 513–549
• TOEFL CB 183-212
• TOEFL iBT 65-78
• TELC (The European Language Certificates) - Certificate in English - advantage (B2)
• TELC – Certificate in English for Business Purposes - B2
• TELC – B2 English for Technical Purposes
• TESA - Test of English for Studies Abroad 42-49 points
• International ESOL and Spoken ESOL – Communicator (City&Guilds)
• International ESOL and Spoken ESOL – Communicator LanguageCert
• Pitman Intermediate (Level 2) – Intermediate First Class Pass - B2 Vantage
• Pearson PTE General Level 3
• Pearson PTE Academic 42–58 points
• Pearson JETSET 5
• Education First certificate in English 10, 11, 12
• UNIcert II

Level C1-C2

• IELTS 6.5 – 9
• CAE - Certificate in Advanced English
• CPE - Certificate of Proficiency in English
• BEC 3 - The Business English Certificate 3
• CEIBT - Certificate in English for International Business and Trade
• STANAG 6001 - 3rd degree (examination of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic)
• TESA - Test of English for Studies Abroad 50-60
• TOEFL paper 550-677
• TOEFL CB 213-300
• TOEFL iBT 79-120
• Pitman Higher Intermediate (Level 2)
• Pitman Advanced (Level 3)
• Pearson PTE General Level 4, 5
• Pearson PTE Academic 59-90 points
• Pearson JETSET 6
• Pearson JETSET 7
• International ESOL and Spoken ESOL – Expert (City&Guilds)
• International ESOL and Spoken ESOL – Mastery (City&Guilds)
• International ESOL and Spoken ESOL – Expert LanguageCert
• International ESOL and Spoken ESOL – Mastery Language Cert
• ILEC – International Legal English Examination (Cambridge)
• Education First certificate in English 13, 14, 15, 16
• UNIcert III-IV
• special state language exam -- interpreting, translating
• state general language examination
• school-leaving (maturita) examination in English as the first foreign language in grammar school classes with teaching of selected subjects in a foreign language
• diploma on completion of a subject area in English (English/American studies) at the Faculty of Arts or Education