European Studies and Policies
General information about study program
study program: European Studies and Policies
field of study: Political science
form of study: internal/external
standard length of study: 3 years/4 years
study language: Slovak and English
Application requirements
The candidate for the doctoral study programme has completed the 2nd cycle of higher education. In addition, he/she has a B2 level of English language proficiency, due to the teaching of courses also in English. The candidate should have knowledge and insight into international relations, European politics, institutional multilevel governance, policy-making and application at transnational and national level, media and actors in the political system. At the same time, the candidate should demonstrate the ability to think independently and creatively, to evaluate critically and to formulate his/her own views and opinions. An essential prerequisite for a PhD candidate in European Studies and Politics is the ability to formulate research objectives, to identify research areas in related topics, to collect and professionally evaluate information and research data, to analyse it and to formulate conclusions, recommendations or models for further research, decision-making or application in practice. The candidate should be interested in cultivating his/her knowledge in both theoretical and practical terms in the areas of political decision-making, political behaviour, international relations and international organisations, the development and application of international and European norms and policies, national policies, both from a substantive, qualitative and quantitative perspective. The candidate should be motivated to pursue a professional career in research institutions, in domestic or foreign organisations, in analytical departments in public institutions, in the various levels of organisation of political institutions or NGOs.
Graduate's profile
The aim of the education of students of the PhD programme in European Studies and Politics is to develop and deepen their knowledge and skills in applying theoretical and methodological approaches to the topics of European integration, contemporary developments in international relations, research on political behaviour, issues of equality, justice and inclusion, institutional settings, multilevel governance, behavioural interventions as well as the formulation, application and comparison of national sectoral policies.
Graduates of the PhD programme in European Studies and Policies are oriented in a variety of theoretical approaches and concepts related to political, economic, social and legal processes within Europe and the global world. On the basis of the acquired knowledge and skills, they are able to analyse and evaluate processes, systems and problems in the domestic and international political arena and to carry out a comparative analysis of these processes.
The basic characteristic of a graduate of the PhD programme in European Studies and Politics is the ability to analyse and apply theoretical and empirical knowledge in the field of interdisciplinary research on European integration and governance processes and his/her readiness to work in different sectors of public administration and politics, in the field of European and international institutions, as well as in the field of sectoral policies, in the media, in civil society and in academic research.
The graduate has the ability to think critically and analytically, taking into account social, scientific and ethical aspects in his/her studies and research. The interdisciplinary nature of the study programme enables graduates to work in fields related to politics, international relations, European studies, media and public policy. The individual courses of study within the programme enable students to deepen their knowledge in areas related in particular to:
(a) knowledge, critical evaluation and application of classical and contemporary social science theories,
b) the quantitative and qualitative framework of scientific research, policy analysis and analysis of state interventions in public policy, which consists in the application of specific quantitative and qualitative research methods (statistics, advanced qualitative methodology) to actual social situations, in the evaluation of results and in the proposal of alternative ways of solving problems;
c) European and international policies, which focus on the cycle of specific policy-making, from setting, legislation, application, evaluation to re-evaluation and possible readjustment based on new knowledge, models and analyses;
(d) national policies, which focus on analysis, comparison, intervention, modelling and prediction of decision-making, behaviour and evaluation in a specific sectoral policy.
Graduates will be proficient in professional terminology in Slovak as well as in English, at least at C1 level and above, thanks to the teaching of the core subjects in English.
On the basis of completing complementary methodology courses focused on advanced qualitative research methods and advanced quantitative methods, graduates will be able to effectively prepare and implement their research project. Workshops focused on practical strengthening of specific research methods, led by experts with international experience, will help them to link the theoretical parts of their dissertation with practical application to specific policies or situations. Graduates will be able to work independently with academic texts, respond to the existing state of national or international research, work with different types of empirical data and prepare academic texts, research articles and policy-oriented analytical reports and background papers. In doing so, they adhere to standards of academic ethics.
Given the different types of pedagogical methods used, the preparation of assignments (presentations, project preparation, research projects, critical essay writing, etc.), the programme also allows students to gain practice in soft skills, i.e. how to formulate arguments and justifications for their arguments, how to critically and contextually evaluate processes and events in domestic and European political developments, and how to present them at national and international conferences.
The graduate is able to work individually and collaboratively in a team, including an international one, has the ability to think critically and creatively, to reflect on his/her own positions with respect for value pluralism, while preserving the basic principles of dialogue within a democratic community.
The objectives of the study programme are in line with the long-term development strategy of the Comenius University in Bratislava and the objectives of the Long-term Plan of the Faculty of Science and Higher Education of the Comenius University in Bratislava. The application of the English language in the teaching process, as well as the presence of foreign researchers and experts working in the programme, contributes to the internationalisation of studies, increases the competitiveness of graduates of the study programme, improves their communication skills and enables them to successfully apply on the labour market in their field of study as well as in related professions.
graduates' employability:
Legislators, senior civil servants and top representatives of companies and organisations
President and Member of Parliament
President and member of the government
Secretary-General of the Civil Service
Secretary of State
Government Plenipotentiary
Director of a government department (departmental level)
Ambassador, Consul General
Head of office, secretariat of central government body
Senior official of a public institution
Executive officer of a non-profit organisation, foundation and non-investment fund
Leaders of political, trade union, interest and related organisations
Chief executive of a public administration in the field of international relations
Senior officials in the field of parliamentary and governmental affairs
Executive officer (manager) in the field of EU funds
Strategy specialist in relation to European Union policies
International Relations Specialist
Systems analyst not elsewhere classified
Human rights specialist
Political scientist
Publicist, Correspondent, Reporter, Commentator