BA Area Studies (full-time)
BA Area Studies (full-time)
General Information
Area Studies (TS) is an undergraduate study programme centred on understanding essential contexts of the modern world.
By combining different approaches and methods, the programme offers a unique and comprehensive perspective, primarily focusing on the Northern Hemisphere, particularly North America, Europe, and Eurasia. However, it also considers developments in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Pacific region, and the Mediterranean. Historically, the study spans the period from the 19th century to the present, with a particular focus on events since 1945, and broadly covers topics such as politics, economics, culture, society, and international relations.
If you want to learn more about the opportunities and prospects that studying at the Institute of International Studies provides, feel free to visit our annual Open Day.
Admission Procedure
The admission requirements for the Bachelor's programme in Area Studies include completing secondary education with a school-leaving exam and successfully passing the admission process.
There are multiple methods to complete the admission process.
One option is to take the General Study Aptitude Test (OSP) as part of the National Comparison Tests (NSZ), which you register for directly with SCIO. Applicants with the highest achieved percentile are admitted, with the admission threshold set by the Dean.
The second option is to pass the final exam for the preparatory course in Area Studies successfully, which can serve as a substitute for the OSP test. Both the preparatory course and the final exam are conducted online. More information is available here.
The third way to pass the admission process is to succeed in secondary school specialised activities (from 2022 onwards) by reaching the final round and ranking within the top ten, or to qualify for the national (central) round of the Geography or History Olympiad (from 2022 onwards) and also place within the top ten. In these cases, applicants may apply for exemption from the entrance examination.
You can access comprehensive details regarding the admission process conditions here.
What to expect after completing your studies?
As graduates, you will possess interdisciplinary knowledge of modern history and the present of North America, Europe, and Eurasia. You will be able to gather and classify data and use it to solve practical and research tasks both domestically and abroad. You will be capable of leading a team dealing with specialised and related issues at various levels of expertise. You will be prepared to continue your education and pursue postgraduate master's studies, to find employment in both domestic and international government and non-governmental organisations, and to work in both the private and public sectors. An integral part of the programme includes international academic stays, work placements, and excursions both at home and abroad.
Why study Area Studies?
The admission requirements for the Bachelor's programme in Area Studies include completing secondary education with a school-leaving exam and successfully passing the admission process.
There are multiple methods to complete the admission process.
One option is to take the General Study Aptitude Test (OSP) as part of the National Comparison Tests (NSZ), which you register for directly with SCIO. Applicants with the highest achieved percentile are admitted, with the admission threshold set by the Dean.
The second option is to pass the final exam for the preparatory course in Area Studies successfully, which can serve as a substitute for the OSP test. Both the preparatory course and the final exam are conducted online. More information is available here.
The third way to pass the admission process is to succeed in secondary school specialised activities (from 2022 onwards) by reaching the final round and ranking within the top ten, or to qualify for the national (central) round of the Geography or History Olympiad (from 2022 onwards) and also place within the top ten. In these cases, applicants may apply for exemption from the entrance examination.
You can access comprehensive details regarding the admission process conditions here.
How will I find employment after my studies?
The employment prospects are very diverse. Approximately 70 per cent of IMS graduates go on to pursue their studies at the master's level. A bachelor's degree from IMS provides access to high-quality master's programmes not only at Charles University but also increasingly abroad. If you choose to work, holding both a bachelor's and a master's degree from IMS often leads to well-paid roles in the public sector, private firms, non-governmental organisations, and the media.
Programme's Structure
The course of study is defined by its study plan. This includes various types of courses and is based on earning credits through successful completion. In the bachelor's programme, you need to gather at least 180 credits. The structure and number of credits can be found in the electronic information manual, known as Karolinka.
The study plan mainly comprises three types of courses:
Compulsory courses (P) in the study plan must all be completed.
Compulsory electives (PV) are subjects from which you choose to meet the required number of credits.
- Elective courses (V) are any subjects outside your study plan, for which you can (but do not have to) earn a predetermined number of credits during your studies.
Study Obligations
Compulsory courses | 117 ECTS |
Compulsory electives – seminars | 6 ECTS |
Compulsory electives – languages | 15 ECTS |
Compulsory electives – others | 24 ECTS |
Elective Courses | 18 ECTS |
Total | 180 ECTS |
Recommended Completion of Undergraduate Studies
First Year
Course Name | Semester | Examination | Credits |
WS | Exam | 5 | |
WS | Exam | 5 | |
WS | Exam | 5 | |
WS | Exam | 5 | |
WS | Exam | 5 | |
WS | Pass | 2 | |
WS | Pass | 1 | |
WS | Pass | 2 | |
WS | Pass | 1 | |
SS | Exam | 5 | |
SS | Exam | 5 | |
SS | Exam | 5 | |
SS | Exam | 5 | |
SS | Exam | 5 | |
SS | Pass | 1 | |
SS | Exam | 5 | |
SS | Pass | 1 |
Second Year
Course Name | Semester | Examination | Credits |
WS | Exam | 6 | |
WS | Pass | 2 | |
WS | Exam | 6 | |
WS | Pass | 2 | |
WS | Exam | 6 | |
WS | Pass | 2 | |
SS | Exam | 6 | |
SS | Pass | 2 | |
SS | Exam | 6 | |
SS | Pass | 2 | |
SS | Exam | 4 | |
SS | Pass | 2 | |
WS/SS | Exam | 4 | |
WS/SS | Exam | 4 | |
* You choose 3 out of a total of 6 seminars, earning a total of 6 credits. | |||
Third Year*
Course Name | Semester | Examination | Credits |
WS/SS | Pass | 6 | |
WS/SS | Pass | 6 |
* The third Year also anticipates a possible study trip abroad and the completion of a bachelor's thesis.
