About school 

The school recruits in the following disciplines:

• economics and finance
• social and economic geography and spatial management
• security studies
• communication and media studies
• political science and public administration
• management and quality studies
• law
• sociology
• education
• psychology
• international relations

In the Doctoral School of Social Sciences [LINK], the study programme is highly customised, adapted to the interests and research project of the individual doctoral student and conducted under the guidance of a supervisor or supervisors of their choice. The [LINK] programme covers eight semesters, during which doctoral students complete compulsory theoretical and methodological classes as well as higher education didactics, classes relating to research management in the broadest sense of the term or building the scientific capital of doctoral students.

An important part of the programme is also made up of classes providing an opportunity to learn about research conducted at the UW beyond the framework of a single discipline, where some courses are taught by eminent representatives of the social sciences and some are devoted to the research of doctoral students themselves. The programme also includes seminars and specialist classes organised separately for doctoral students in each discipline. A part of the programme is also a teaching internship (30 or 60 hours), which doctoral students may carry out over the entire education cycle.

Education

The programme of study

The education lasts 4 years. It includes obligatory classes and the implementation of an individual research plan, carried out under the supervision of a supervisor. The start of education – 1 October 2024.

Supervisors

The doctoral student works under the direction of the supervisor. The scan of a declaration by the planned supervisor, confirming their agreement to undertake the duties of a supervisor must be submitted to the IRK by 4 June 2024.

You will find a list of potential supervisors on the Doctoral Schools website:

https://promotorzy.szkolydoktorskie.uw.edu.pl/en/search

Scholarships

The doctoral student shall receive the doctoral scholarship during the period of education. The scholarship will amount to PLN 4242 before the mid-term evaluation and 5340,90  after the mid-term evaluation. The total period of receiving the doctoral scholarship cannot exceed four years. The suplement for persons with disabilities amounts to PLN 1040,04 (before the mid-term evaluation).

Notice! The amounts specified above may be subject to change if the ministry responsible for science and higher education decides to announce a new base rate.

Admission schedule

registration in the IRK, submission of application for admission to the Doctoral School of Social Sciences via the IRK: from 29 April 2024 to 4 June 2024;

Admissions procedure:

• 1st stage of the admissions procedure: 10 - 23 June, 2024,
• 1st stage of the admissions procedure results announcement: until 28 June 2024,
• publication of the interview schedule (2nd stage): until 28 June 2024,
• 2nd stage of the recruitment procedure: 6 July – 14 July 2024,
• announcement of the ranking list: until 24 July 2024,
• submission of documents by the accepted persons: 07 August – 20 September 2024,
• announcement of the list of persons admitted to the School: until 23 September 2024.

      The start of education – 1 October 2024.

Admission procedure fee

200 PLN

Form of qualification proceedings and number of points to be awarded

Two-stage proceedings:

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

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

• 1st stage – 60 points (number of points required to qualify for the 2nd stage – 30 points);
• 2nd stage – 40 points (the number of points required to be entered on the list of candidates recommended for admission - 20 points).

Language of qualification proceedings, including the interview

The interview shall be held in Polish with elements of English or entirely in English, according to candidate’s preferences indicated in the IRK.

Required documents:

The candidate shall submit a School admission application only through the IRK via a dedicated form. The application shall meet the conditions mentioned under §15 of the Resolution No 17 of the Senate of the UW of 20 January 2021 on the rules of admission to Doctoral Schools at the UW (Monitor UW of 2024, item 120, as amended; hereinafter referred to as 'Resolution'):

• a scan of the graduation diploma of long-cycle 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 20 September 2024;
• a description of the preliminary research project proposal with a title, no longer than 14,000 characters including spaces; the description includes the references relevant for the research objective which shall not be included in the character limit.
• resume or CV outlining the candidate’s scientific activity, including scholarly interests and achievements during the five calendar years preceding the application;

• scans of materials evidencing scientific activity mentioned in their CV or resume. In the case of material supporting the publications indicated in the CV or resume, the candidate shall attach scans of their title pages;

•  a declaration of the level of proficiency in English allowing the participation in the learning process at the doctoral school;

• 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;

• the photograph of a candidate’s face that allows for their identification, as required by the IRK;
• 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;
• a declaration confirming that they have reviewed the Resolution and Articles 40 and 41 of the Code of Administrative Procedure;

In case the diploma was issued in a language other than Polish or English, the candidate shall attach its certified translation. The candidate is also required to submit translations of their scientific achievement awards. In justified cases the Admissions Coordinator, the chairperson and/or the secretary of the qualification team may request that the candidate submit translations of other documents and/or materials included in the application by a designated deadline.

In justified cases, the Director may condition a candidate’s entry into the list of doctoral students on submitting a translation of a specific document – including a sworn translation or legalization (apostille) of the document – by a specific and reasonable deadline. A condition may also be imposed by means of an administrative decision.

Notice! The qualification proceedings shall be initiated based on an above mentioned application for admission to the School, submitted by the candidate who managed to register in the IRK by the designated deadline and paid the admission fee by the designated deadline.

Detailed requirements for  application for admission to the School are set out in § 15 s. 1 of the Resolution no 17 of the Senate of the University of Warsaw of 20 January 2021 on the rules of admission to Doctoral Schools at the University of Warsaw (Monitor UW of 2024 item. 120) [LINK]

 Assessment criteria and method

Research project (maximum number of points – 40)

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

1. defining the research issue e.g. the objective, research questions, hypotheses (0–10 points);

2. adequacy of the proposed methodology (0–10 points);

3. placing the project in the context of previous research and knowledge of literature  (0–10 points);

4. originality of the proposed issues and methodology (0–10 points). 

When there are reasonable suspicions of plagiarism, the Qualification Team checks the submitted project in the Uniform Anti-Plagiarism System (JSA), Open Plagiarism Detection System (OSA) or Antiplagiarism System. If a significant infringement of copyright, misappropriation of content, the Qualification Team awards zero points for the research project criterion.

Scientific activity of the candidate (maximum number of points – 20)

When evaluating scientific activity, the following elements, confirmed by means of scanned documents, shall be taken into account:

1. active participation in scientific conferences e.g. presenting a paper or poster (0–4 points);

2. participation in research projects (0–5 points);

3. scientific and popular scientific publications (0–6 points);

4. organizational activity related to science e.g. activity in student research groups, conference organization (0–2 points);

5. scientific internships, scholarships, awards for scientific activity (0–3 points).

Interview (maximum number of points – 40)

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

1. candidate’s competencies presented during the interview regarding the research project (0–20 points);

2. understanding of the issues to be handled, subject-matter knowledge, correct language and the ability to use the scientific language appropriate for the academic discipline in which education is going to be provided (0–20 points).

Condition of admission to the School

Obtaining at least 50 points from the entire qualification proceedings, including at least 30 points from the first stage of the qualification proceedings and at least 20 points from the second stage of the qualification proceedings.

  Legal acts and template documents

legal acts in force [LINK]