Detail programu/oboru

The  combination of media and area studies provides in-depth critical knowledge about processes of mediation and signification, and how space and geography intersect with them. The program is based on post-colonial theory, media sociology, memory studies and political geography. This is translated into a very practice based, research oriented approach. You can then gain employment in more senior/advisory positions in state administrations, private sector, public service institutions, and NGOs.

The Media and Area Studies (MARS) program is based on a constructive dialogue between the fields of media and area studies. Its groundedness in Prague, Czechia, enables for two particular spatial focal points, which provide the backbone of the MARS program, namely Central and Eastern Europe and the European Union. At the same time, the program aims to avoid an exclusive focus on Central Eastern Europe, and offers (mostly but not exclusively through the electives) knowledge about other European regions, or about Europe as a whole. 

The theoretical-methodological background of the program consists of a combination of post-colonial theory, media sociology, memory studies and political geography. This theoretical approach is then translated into a very practice based, research oriented approach. You can get involved in research projects and study a particular social phenomenon.

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

a) A copy of a diploma to show at least completed Bachelor 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

f) Optional: References or letters of recommendation

g) Optional: Writing sample - the best relevant academic text written by the student (essay, thesis, analysis, case study etc.)

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 b) The transcripts from all years of the previous university study should be submitted.

Ad d) The motivation letter is expected to provide evidence that the applicant has a clear interest in pursuing studies in media studies, area studies and their intersections and cross-fertilisations. The motivation letter is expected also to demonstrate that the applicant is familiar with the content and the rationale of the study programme, and that their prior knowledge and qualifications make them a suitable student for the programme. Finally, the letter should address how completing the programme will benefit the applicant’s further professional or academic career.

The recommended length of the motivation letter is approximately 2000 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 a band score of 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 score of 20 in the four sections;

• Cambridge B2 First (former FCE) - minimum Cambridge English Scale Score of 175;

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (former CAE) or C2 Proficiency (former CPE) receiving a certificate;

• PTE Academic test - the minimum required score above 56;

• LanguageCert ESOL - Communicator with High Pass, Expert or Mastery;

• Duolingo English Test (DET) - the minimum required overall score of 120, with a subscore of 105 or above in all four components.

A standardized English test is not required from applicants who:

• 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 in a full degree program.

When a score from an English-language test is not presented, the applicants should provide a confirmation of their use of English during their prior studies to support their claim. The confirmation should contain the information that the study program was conducted in English as a language of study. A diploma supplement or transcript containing this information can also be accepted.

All documents that are not originally in Czech, Slovak, or English must be officially translated into English, Czech or Slovak language by a certified translator. A sworn translation is not required for the application itself. Only complete applications will be considered. Personal data will be used exclusively to organize the admission process and course enrollments.

Evaluation criteria and procedure:

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 the 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) academic quality of previous studies and results during previous studies (0–35),
(ii) relevance of previous studies to the area of study (0–20),
(iii) motivation to study in the programme based on the motivation letter and additional optional documents (0-30),
(iv) further skills and knowledge, of relevance to the area of study (0–15)

The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean with respect to the number of applicants and the capacity of the programme.

Podmínkou přijetí ke studiu v magisterském studijním programu je dosažení středního vzdělání s maturitní zkouškou. Podmínkou přijetí ke studiu v magisterském studijním programu, který navazuje na bakalářský studijní program, je rovněž řádné ukončení studia v kterémkoliv typu studijního programu.

The in-depth knowledge of the media and political ecology in Central Eastern Europe and the European Union will support your future employment in more senior/advisory positions in a variety of social fields and organizations, including state administrations, private sector (including media), public service institutions, and non-profit organizations.