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

Number of places: , including:  places in the first phase, in the June-July qualification, and  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

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

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

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

Qualification threshold: 60 points

The studies are open to 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 to candidates who are in the process of completing their degree and expect to obtain their diploma before the qualification interview - cf. pt 2**.

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

2**. Candidates who are about to defend their thesis and complete their degree, upload to their personal IRK registration account the scan of a certificate issued by their 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 university, no later than 12 o’clock on the day preceding the interview.

If the candidate fails to upload the scan of document confirming the overall grade on the diploma to IRK system within the indicated period, they will be disqualified and awarded 0 points 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 confirm the candidate’s knowledge and comprehension of selected texts (proposed by the examination board in advance*), the ability to discuss them in English and to draw conclusions regarding cultural, social and political changes in Poland and Europe.

*For the interview, the candidate selects three texts from the list that will be published at a later date.

The candidate’s performance in the interview will be marked according to the following criteria:

• familiarity with the selected readings;
• ability to discuss the main issues raised in the texts;
• ability to discuss the selected texts in the context of contemporary cultural, social and political changes

A candidate may obtain a maximum of 80 points in the interview.

The minimum number of points for the interview needed to qualify is 50. Obtaining less than 50 points in the interview results in the candidate’s disqualification and obtaining 0 points in the recruitment procedure.

The overall grade on the diploma is translated into points as follows:

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

Grades lower than good (4) do not qualify the candidate 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.

The sum of points obtained during two stages of the qualification procedure determines the candidate’s position in the ranking.

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

Qualification threshold: 60 points

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

A foreign diploma grade will be translated to the Polish diploma grade scale according to the general admission criteria.

Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification [more]

Candidates with a foreign diploma will be recruited by the rules applicable to candidates with a diploma obtained in Poland.

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

Citizens of Poland or citizens of EU/EFTA and the United Kingdom with diplomas issued in EU/EFTA/OECD or recognized as equivalent on the basis of an international agreement or through nostrification

Candidates are obliged to present a document accepted 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! <<

Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification

Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here

Foreigners (does not apply to citizens of EU/EFTA) with foreign diploma from EU/EFTA/OECD/recognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification

Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here

Deadlines

The exam: 22nd of July, 2026

Announcement of results: 27th of July, 2026

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 28th-30th of July, 2026
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 3rd-4th of August, 2026
• III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 6th-7th of August, 2026
• 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