Politics and International Studies

• Outline of the proposed dissertation project
• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Consent of the future supervisor
• Copy of master's degree certificate or proof of current studies
• List of publications and papers (if available)
• Proof of English - minimum B2 level (optional; compulsory only for those who cannot participate personally in the entrance exam)

Important information - detailed instructions
The admission procedure takes place twice a year, at the end of each semester. It takes the form of a committee interview, lasting approximately 20 minutes per applicant. The committee consists of at least five members. In its recommendation for admission or rejection, the committee takes into account, in particular, the dissertation project, its conceptual, theoretical, methodological, and data characteristics (with an emphasis on both excellence and originality, as well as the feasibility and realism of the research plan), and its relationship to already completed research projects and the research priorities of the department. As for dissertation topics, a continuously updated list of possible topics with relevant supervisors (typically topics related to current research projects in the field) is published on the department's website and in the IS MU, but individually formulated topics are also accepted. Prior agreement on the topic with a specific supervisor is required. The committee also takes into account the applicant's CV, his/her previous experience with publishing activities, and the possibility of integration into the department's existing research projects, i.e., consistency with the study objectives and graduate profile. Applicants are informed of the recommendation for admission or rejection immediately after the admission interview and are given an appropriate verbal explanation.

Important information

The maximum possible score for the entrance examination is 100 points. A minimum of 60 points is required to pass the entrance examination.

Criteria for assessing applicants:

• Research project as a basis for preparing a dissertation - max. 70 points
• Connection to a research project planned or implemented at the workplace - max. 15 points
• Previous research experience and publications - max. 15 points

The doctoral program Politics and International Studies prepares highly qualified experts in the field of political science, international relations, European politics and security studies. It is intended for graduates of master's studies in the fields of political science, international relations, European studies, security and strategic studies, or related fields of social sciences and humanities. It focuses on research into domestic and international political processes, European integration, security threats (including extremism, terrorism or cyber security) and the development of political theories. The program combines theoretical knowledge with advanced methodology and encourages involvement in the international academic community. Graduates are prepared to work in academia, state administration, international organizations and research institutions.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the graduate is able to:

• independent scientific work in the field of political science and related disciplines;
• independent analytical work grounded in a theoretical understanding of policy formulation and implementation;
• formulate and solve innovative research problems;
• understand and apply the appropriate methods of social science analysis;
• publish in the scholar journals and monographs;
• communicate their own findings in the field clearly and convincingly to other members of the professional political science community at the international level and to the general public.

The graduates of the post-graduate program in Politics and International Studies will get the qualification to apply for the wide range of positions such as researchers in the areas of basic as well as applied research, university teachers in all types of academic institutions, experts and analysts in European institutions, international organisations, institutions of state and public administration as well as in the private sector and NGOs.

Practical training is not compulsory part of studies.

The study is completed by the defense of a dissertation (150-250 standard pages). The core of the dissertation must be original independent research and the processing of its results. The nature of the dissertation is identical to that of a professional monograph, which applies not only to the quality and originality of the content, but also to the structure of the work, its linguistic style, and formal requirements.

Alternatively, the study can be completed with a cumulative dissertation consisting of at least three academic texts, a comprehensive introduction summarizing the theoretical and methodological approaches of the research, and a conclusion. Within each publication, the doctoral student must be the leading author with a contribution of more than 50 percent and listed first in the list of authors.