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The Public and Social Policy (PSP) doctoral study program prepares students for basic and applied research and teaching in academia as well as other types of activities requiring a high level of theoretical and methodological education in PSP. This program is open to all master's degree graduates or equivalent.

Description of verification and evaluation criteria

Application along with the research project and all appendices should be submitted online via student information system or on a paper application form to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Smetanovo nábř. 6, 110 01 Prague 1, the Czech Republic by April 30, 2022, at the latest.

detailed definition of the research problem and proposal goals,

envisaged research questions (hypotheses),

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

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

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, the 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 18, 2022, 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 6th to 17th, 2022. For serious reasons, interviews via online platforms will be also made possible.

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

understand their topic’s broader context, and

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

Research proposal quality: up to 30 points.

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

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

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

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

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

The 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.

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


Rules governing exemption from entrance examination

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

Admissions Option 2

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Our doctoral program aims to produce experts who are able to pursue research and analytical work with creativity. It aims to expand their theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills and to deepen their ability to grasp scholarship and social reality with a critical mindset. Graduates will be able to use these skills to identify and analyze important social issues in their proper context, the links between the behavior of social actors and their interests, values, and strategies, and the shaping and implementation of public policy.

The Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University includes the Center for Social and Economic Strategies which shares staff with the Department of Public and Social Policy.

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Master

Social Sciences

Political Science

Law Studies

Policy

Public Policy

Social Policy

Administrative Law Studies

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV UK) is the second newest faculty of Charles University in Prague, Czechia. We are a regional center of teaching and research in economics, sociology, political science, international relations, area studies, media studies, and journalism. We offer BA, MA and PhD study programmes in English in those fields of study.

PhD in Public and Social Policy

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