Sociology

The doctoral degree programme in Sociology prepares students for academic and analytical careers in their chosen areas of interest. Students acquire the ability to think theoretically as well as empirically, which allows them to identify and analyse important social and demographic processes and trends. They are also encouraged to broaden their knowledge of literature and deepen their ability to reflect critically on scholarly literature as well as social reality. Graduates of the programme can use a wide variety of methods and produce creative scientific work.

““The function of sociology, as of every science, is to reveal that which is hidden.” (Pierre Bourdieu)”

The doctoral programme in Sociology (with concentration in Population Studies) prepares experts with high ability of both theoretical and empirical thinking enabling them to identify, describe, analyze and possibly also predict significant social and demographic processes and trends; especially trends related to the size, structure and spatial distribution of human populations, human settlements, and social and economic infrastructure and its planning and utilization. The programme develops students’ ability of creative research work for academic as well as non-academic fields. It equips them with factual knowledge, broad methodological skills and ability to critically and reflexively examine data of varying nature and from various sources. This ability shall reflect also the interaction various stakeholders, including users of archived surveys, professional as well as less skilled recipients of research reports, demographic and statistical data.

Practical training

Practical training is not an obligatory part of the study plan.

Further information

Admission information: https://www.fss.muni.cz/en/faculty-of-social-studies/what-you-can-study/doctoral-studies

For current students: https://www.fss.muni.cz/en/student

Departmental info: https://soc.fss.muni.cz/studies/phd_studies?lang=en

This study program prepares highly qualified experts for careers in academic as well as non-academic fields including expert jobs in central and local governments, public administrative bodies, private businesses (especially in the sphere of marketing, advertising, market research, publishing and the media in general), and not-for-profit organizations (such as NGOs, social movements, parties, educational institutions, health service organizations etc.); in general for expert systems and for the needs of the welfare state.

Dates for submitting an e-application: 1 August 2024 – 30 November 2024
Dates for inserting supporting documents to the e-application: 1 August 2024 – 15 January 2025
Date of Entrance examination: 30 January 2025 - 5 February 2025
Minimum score for being accepted: 60 points (out of 100)
Supporting documents:

• Outline of the proposed dissertation project
• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Copy of master's degree certificate or proof of current studies
• Consent of the future supervisor
• 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)

Those who cannot participate in the entrance exam in person have to provide additionally 2 Letters of Recommendation. They must be sent by the referees themselves to our e-mail or mail contacts.

For being accepted, it is necessary to obtain the formal recognition of prior education in the Czech Republic. See the PhD admission website for further information.

Important information

Criteria for evaluation

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 the preparation of the dissertation - max. 50 points
• Professional knowledge in the given research area - max. 30 points
• Language skills (English in both written and verbal form) - max. 10 points
• Previous research experience - max. 10 points