Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterranean and Other European Borderlands, full-time, second cycle

Number of places: 30, including: 20 places in the first phase, in the June-July qualification, and 10 places in the second phase, in the August-September qualification.

Field of studies: Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterranean and Other European Borderlands (ISSC)

Form of studies: full-time, second cycle

Responsible units: Faculty of „Artes Liberales”, University of Warsaw and Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw.

Language of instruction: English

The ISSC programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to sociocultural issues, social change and challenges of the modern world, including global and local conflicts, migrations, climate change, demographic crises, or economic inequalities, focusing on European borderlands. It provides students with a variety of research methods in humanities and social sciences, giving insights into political systems, contemporary culture, social movements, borderland societies, cultural and linguistic diversity. Apart from broad humanistic knowledge and expertise in the historical and contemporary social change, the programme offers a chance to develop practical competence in intercultural communication, collecting and processing of data, as well as planning and conducting research.

It has been designed and taught by professors and researchers at the Faculty of „Artes Liberales” and the Centre of Migration Research.

The programme offers:

• in-depth knowledge of the key theories and concepts of social sciences and cultural studies
• an interdisciplinary approach
• a variety of research methods in cultural studies and social sciences (sociology, politics, economy)
• students’ participation in academic research
• development of cultural awareness and critical thinking

The programme is characterised by a highly individualised approach; it is shaped by the students, who are able to choose among seminars, lectures, and workshops offered each semester. This allows each student to create a programme and an academic schedule tailored to meet their individual interests and needs.

Main themes of studies:

• state – sovereignty – institutions: models of sovereign authority, national state, population management, globalization, institutions
• social change and identity: social movements, revolutions, wars, postmodern condition, post-colonialism, religion, liberalism and individualism
• risks and crises:historical and contemporary crises, risks and conflicts
• challenges of the present and the future: climate catastrophe, mass global and local migrations, the authority of science in the culture of post-truth, quality of democracy, new social movements, hybrid wars, global threats to public health, precarization, work automation, digitization, demographic aging, social inequalities
• lessons from the past: ancient and modern patterns of politics, society and individuals, revolutions and social changes, the role of knowledge and philosophy, all presented particularly in the context of borderland societies: Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries

Types of classes:

• research seminars
• workshops (methods of cultural studies and methods of social sciences)
• monographic seminars ( in-depth study within one discipline)
• seminars on culture of a selected region

A graduate of the ISSC programme is characterised by:

• broad humanistic knowledge:the basics of social science and high level of skills in an interdisciplinary approach to cultural and social issues
• intercultural communication: teamwork in an international environment, creativity, the ability to learn efficiently, presenting ideas and views in speech and writing
• linguistic competence: reading and speaking fluently in English, both in the professional and academic contexts; academic writing skills
• collecting, interpreting and visualizing various types of data : Big Data, data on complex social phenomena like crises and identity issues, migration, inequalities and demographic changes
• useful academic and practical competences: the ability to plan, prepare and implement a research process; the ability to process and visualize data in an innovative manner

The programme is tailor-made for those interested in pursuing their careers in a variety of social and cultural institutions, both state and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as culture animators, educators, journalists, intercultural communication or media relations specialists.

Limit of places

20 places in the first round of enrollment conducted in June-July

10 places in the second round of enrollment conducted in August-September

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

Qualification threshold: 60 points

Studies are intended for candidates holding a bachelor’s, master’s or engineer’s degree (or their equivalent) with at least good overall grade on the diploma - cf. pt 1*, or for candidates who are just before thesis defense - cf. pt 2**.

1*. Candidates holding one of the above-mentioned degrees, or a thesis defense certificate containing information on the overall grade on the diploma confirmed by their home university, upload the scan of the document to their personal IRK (Internet Recruitment of Candidates system) registration account.

2**. Candidates who are just before thesis defense, upload to their personal IRK registration account the scan of certificate issued by their home university, confirming the planned date of their thesis defense and containing information on their grade point average for the entire period of studies. Those candidates are obliged to present (by uploading to their personal registration account in IRK system) the original diploma or a thesis defense certificate containing information on the overall grade on the diploma confirmed by their home university, no later than 12 o’clock on the day preceding the interview.

Failure to upload the scan of document confirming the overall grade on the diploma to IRK system within the indicated period will result in candidate’s disqualification and awarding 0 points to them in the recruitment procedure.

The qualification procedure includes:

1.  interview
2.  overall grade on the diploma (bachelor’s / master’s / engineer’s degree, or their equivalent)

The purpose of the interview is to verify the level of comprehension of selected texts put forward by the examination board*, the ability to discuss about them freely in the English language and the ability to draw conclusions regarding cultural and social status of contemporary Poland and of the region which is the subject of studies.

*The list of texts from which the candidate picks three to be the base for the interview will be published by the examination board at a later date.

Evaluating the candidate’s interview, the examination board will take the following criteria into consideration:

• familiarity with the content and creation context of selected texts;
• ability to have a discussion regarding the issues contained in them;
• ability to compare issues between the texts;
• preparation to drawing conclusions based on reading material related to contemporary cultural, social and political situation.

It is possible to obtain a maximum of 80 points during the interview.

It is required to obtain no less than 50 points during the interview in order to consider it successful.

Obtaining less than 50 points during the interview, results in candidate’s disqualification and awarding 0 points to them in the recruitment procedure.

For the overall grade on the diploma the candidate can obtain:

• 20 points - excellent grade
• 15 points - very good grade
• 10 points - good plus grade
• 0 points - good grade

Neither satisfactory plus grade, nor satisfactory grade qualifies to apply for admission to the second cycle studies Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterranean and Other European Borderlands.

Candidate may obtain a maximum of 100 points in the qualification procedure.

Sum of points obtained during two stages of the qualification procedure determines the candidate’s position on the ranking list.

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

Qualification threshold: 60 points

Same rules apply as for candidates with diplomas obtained in Poland.

Results on foreign diplomas will be adjusted accordingly to the grade scale presented in the recruitment procedures for candidates with diplomas obtained in Poland.

Checking the Candidates' competences to undertake studies conducted in English language

Candidates are obliged to present the document recognized by the University of Warsaw confirming their command of the English language at least at the B2 level. In case the candidate does not have a document confirming their English language command, the examination board will verify the candidate’s language competence to study at the Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterranean and Other European Borderlands course of study during the interview. Examination board verifies the ability to formulate verbal statements, as well as the ability to communicate in English, including having an academic discussion.

Positive result of qualification procedure means confirming the candidate’s ability to undertake studies conducted in English at least at the B2 level.

Information on documents certifying knowledge of English language. >> Check! <<

Deadlines

The exam: 29th of July, 2025

Announcement of results: 31st of July, 2025

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 31st of July - 1st of August, 4th of August, 2025
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 5th-6th of August, 2025
• III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 7th-8th of August, 2025
• additional rounds will be announced in case of not fulfilling the limits

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

The studies are payable for citizens of Non-UE/EFTA countries (EEA parties) and Switzerland - tuition fees

 

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Additional information

Find us on the map: Collegium Artes Liberales