About

The Interdisciplinary Doctoral School enables innovative research that crosses the boundaries of disciplines and scientific fields. In the MSD, doctoral students prepare: 1) multidisciplinary doctoral dissertations drawing on the achievements of at least two fields of science of their choice with an indication of the leading field or 2) interdisciplinary doctoral dissertations within one field of science.

Education

The 4-year education mainly focuses on compulsory classes, delivered in semester 1, and around the MSD Integration Seminar. Doctoral students focus on the implementation of the IPB and the writing of the doctoral dissertation.

Within the MSD, doctoral students can choose and pursue doctoral study track offered by UW Faculties. The study tracks involve additional coursework, assignments but also funding. There is currently a Quantatitive Analysis (QA) pathway in the MSD. For more information, please visit - LINK

Limit of 30 places 

Note 1

The Qualification Team of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School consists of 15 people 

Note 2

It is also possible to take part in the admission procedure in a situation where the defence of the master's thesis may not take place until 18 June. In this case, a declaration that the thesis will be delivered by 17 September 2024 should be submitted instead of the diploma.

Instructions 

Instructions for registering in the IRK system – Download the Instructions file – pdf document – opens in new window

Supervisors

The first step in the process of applying to the Doctoral School should be to find a candidate for the future supervisor and to obtain their consent, as this is an essential element of the application (see Required documents).

In order to find a supervisor, we encourage you to consult the database available on this page[LINK], which contains a list of University of Warsaw academics who are willing to act as supervisors.

Note 3

At the same time we would like to inform you that the MSD doctoral student works under the supervision of at least two supervisors who represent the chosen fields of science. The proposal of the main supervisor is indicated by the MSD candidate at the time of submitting the enrolment documents, while the choice of the second supervisor (or the assistant supervisor in case the second supervisor has a doctoral degree) is made within one month of starting studies at the doctoral school.

Scholarships 

During the four years of study, each doctoral student receives a scholarship of PLN 3466.90 gross before the mid-term evaluation and PLN 5340.90 gross after the mid-term evaluation.

Disability allowance: PLN 1040.07 gross.

Recruitment

Schedule of the Doctoral School enrolment procedure

1. registration in the Internet Registration of Candidates(IRK), submitting an application for admission to the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School via IRK: from 5th of May to 19th of June 2023;
2. recruitment procedure:

• • First stage of the recruitment procedure: 4 – 14 July, 2023,
  • announcement of the results of the first stage of recruitment : 14 July 2023,
  • publication of the interview schedule (second stage) 14 July 2023,
  • Second stage of the recruitment procedure: 21 – 27 July 2023,
  • announcement of the ranking list: 1 August 2023,
  • accepting documents from qualified candidates: 2 August – 19 September, 2023,
  • announcement of the list of accepted candidates: on 21 September 2023
  • Beginning of education - 1 October 2023. 

Recruitment fee

200 PLN 

Form of the selection procedure

Two-stage proceedings:

1. 1st stage: assessment of the research project and candidate’s scientific activity,
2. 2nd stage: interview.

The interview will be carried out remotely. It  includes a presentation related to the research project; the presentation should not repeat the content of the project. The purpose of the presentation is to present a research question, set it in the broader context, etc. and allowing for an assessment of the research predispositions of the candidate.

Maximum number of points to be awarded in the qualification proceedings – 100 points:

1. 1st stage – 40 points (number of points required to qualify for the 2nd stage – 20 points);
2. 2nd stage – 60 points.

Language of the enrolment procedure, including interviews

The interview shall be held in Polish or English, according to candidate’s preferences indicated in the IRK. If Polish is selected, a part of the interview may be held in English.

Required documents

The candidate shall submit the application for admission to the School only in IRK. It shall include: 

1. indication of the selected discipline in which the candidate plans to pursue education or in the case of applying for the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School – fields of science with the specification of the leading field (and where there is no leading field – at least two equivalent disciplines), PESEL number or passport number, nationality, contact information (residence address, e-mail address, telephone number), information whether the candidate agrees to receive administrative decisions by means of electronic communication, consent for processing of personal data for the purposes of the admissions procedure;
2. documents confirming that the condition mentioned under paragraph 14 item 3 has been met – as applicable:
• a scan of the graduation diploma of uniform master’s degree or postgraduate studies or an equivalent diploma obtained under separate regulations, or in the case of candidates pursuing education in the European Higher Education Area – a certificate of holding a master's degree or a statement that the diploma or certificate conforming the award of a master's degree will be delivered by the date determined according to paragraph 4, section 1, subject to paragraph 14, item 3, letter c; in the case of a diploma equivalent to a uniform master’s degree or postgraduate studies graduation diploma, a candidate shall justify such equivalence. In case the diploma was issued in a language other than Polish or English, the candidate shall attach its certified translation.
• in the case mentioned under paragraph 14 item 3 letter b, the candidate shall submit a statement that they have been granted funds by the Minister responsible for higher education and science under the “Diamentowy Grant” [Diamond Grant] program or a statement that an application has been submitted as part of the “Diamentowy Grant” [Diamond Grant] program, providing the title of the candidate’s project;
3. a description of the initial research project proposal – no longer than 14,000 characters including spaces; references, graphs, maps, etc. that may be attached as an annex in PDF format shall not be included in the character limit; a description of the initial research project proposal must indicate fields included in the doctoral project and the main field; the research project proposal may also be a single-field and interdisciplinary project, if the disciplines are equally covered – in such a case, the candidate shall attach the justification for submitting application to the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School; a description of the initial research project proposal must include a separate clarification as to what the multi-field or interdisciplinary research project entails;
4. a resume or CV outlining the candidate’s scientific activity, including scholarly interests and achievements during the five calendar years preceding the application, subject to paragraph 18 section 5, including, but not limited to: publications, research and organizational work at student research groups, participation in scientific conferences, participation in research projects, awards and honorable mentions, research internships, research skills training programs completed, activities promoting science, activity in science movement representative bodies, average of their university grades, professional career, level of proficiency in foreign languages,
5. scans of materials evidencing scientific activity mentioned in their CV and/or resume,
6. declaration confirming at least B2 level fluency in English,
7. the scan of a declaration by the planned supervisor, confirming their agreement to undertake the duties of a supervisor and of the number of doctoral students, for whom they perform the duties a designated supervisor, in accordance with the template constituting Appendix no.4 to the Resolution, taking into account sections 6 and 7; the candidate may also attach a scan of their planned supervisor’s opinion and opinions of other academics about the candidate and their scientific activity and/or proposed research project;
8. the photograph of a candidate’s face that allows for their identification;
9. a declaration confirming whether the candidate was or is a doctoral student or a participant of doctoral studies or whether they have initiated a doctoral dissertation process or whether proceedings to award them a doctoral degree have been initiated – and if yes, the title of their doctoral dissertation or the research project prepared by a candidate, including the name and last name of the candidate’s tutor or supervisor;
10. a declaration confirming that they have reviewed the Resolution and Articles 40 and 41 of the Code of Administrative Procedure 

Evaluation criteria and method

Research project (maximum number of points – 30)

When assessing the project, the following shall be taken into account:

1. defining the research issue, including the objective, research questions, hypotheses (0–10 points);
2. novelty and originality of the research project (0–5 points);
3. methodology appropriate for the objective pursued, the use of methodology beyond the main field (0–10 points);
4. status of research with the references relevant for the research objective (0–5 points).

Scientific activity of the candidate (maximum number of points – 10)

Interview (maximum number of points – 60)

When assessing the interview, the following shall be taken into account:

1. the ability to demonstrate the relevance of the issue related to the research project, in particular from the point of view of its belonging to multiple fields and disciplines (0–30 points);
2. the appropriateness of the research area selected for the proposed research issues and methods; understanding of the issues handled, subject-matter knowledge, language correctness and the ability to use the scientific language (Polish and/or English) (0–30 points). 

Condition of admission to the School  

Obtaining at least 50 points in the whole selection process, including at least 20 points in stage I and at least 30 points in stage II of the selection process.