Applications

Applications

Admissions occur annually. Applications are submitted electronically by the end of April according to the valid academic calendar. Accepted students enrol in the programme in the winter semester of the following academic year.

You can find all information on the admission procedure, including the link to the application app here.

General Requirements

Students enrolled in the programme must have completed a master’s degree. English proficiency at B2 level is required, along with other languages relevant to the proposed research. The proposed dissertation must align with IMS’s disciplinary and territorial focus.

Application Contents

The application must include a dissertation proposal, structured CV and proof of language proficiency.

The dissertation proposal is not longer than 10 normed pages (18,000 characters including spaces; ca. 3,000 words). It is written in English and must include the following sections:

  • Dissertation topic proposal;
  • Overview of existing academic discussion and its gaps;
  • Detailed definition of the research problem and research questions/hypotheses;
  • Proposed research methodology and timeline
  • Standard bibliography
  • Statement on whether the proposal was consulted with an intended supervisor at IMS.

Applicants may consult topics in advance with the programme director via email, or personally after agreement. The purpose of the consultation is to assess to what extent the planned topic is in line with the IMS research profile and its current research activities.

The admission process has two rounds. In the first round, the admission committee evaluates the quality of the project in terms of content and form. In the second round, the applicant's ability to justify the chosen topic, clearly define it and place it in a broader temporal, factual and research context will be assessed. The committee also reflects on the applicants’ experience with teaching and publishing. The interview in the second round is conducted in English. Only applicants who receive 16 and points in the first round will be invited for the interview.

Criteria for assessment:

First round

  • Project quality and relevance (max. 30 points)

Second round

  • Topic originality (max. 20 points)
  • Ability to justify the topic and link it to current academic debates (max. 30 points)
  • Methodological, financial and organisational feasibility (max. 10 points)
  • Prior research, teaching or publishing activity (max. 10 points)

Admission thresholds are set by the dean with respect to the programme capacity. Applicants not meeting the threshold for full-time programme but qualifying for combined study may be offered that option.

The dean may waive the entrance exam for applicants who plan their dissertation research as part of a research project hosted by IMS on the basis of the applicant’s request and the programme director’s recommendation.