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 4242 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: 7 May - 18 June 2024.
2. recruitment procedure:

• 1st stage of the admissions procedure: 3 July - 12 July 2024,
• announcement of the results of the first stage of recruitment: by 12 July 2024,
• publication of interview schedule (stage II): by 12 July 2024,
• Stage II recruitment process: 19 July - 26 July 2024,
• announcement of ranking list: by 31 July 2024, 
• acceptance of documents from qualified applicants: 19 August - 17 September 2024,
• announcement of the list of those accepted: 20 September 2024.
• commencement of training: 1 October 2024.

Recruitment fee

200 PLN 

Form of the selection procedure

Two-stage, remote procedure:

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

The interview opens with a presentation relevant to the research project, but which does not repeat what is written in the project. The aim is to present the research question, set it in a broader context, etc., in such a way that the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary nature of the project and the candidate's research predisposition in this area are highlighted.

The interview takes place in Polish or English according to the candidate's preference as notified in IRK. If Polish is chosen, the interview may include a part conducted in English.

Interviews may be conducted remotely.

The maximum number of points to be obtained in the qualification procedure is 100 points: 

1. 1st stage - 40 points (number of points required to qualify for the 2nd stage: 20 points);
2. 2nd stage - 60 points (number of points required to pass 2nd stage: 30 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 scanned copy of the diploma of completion of a uniform master's degree or second-cycle studies, or of an equivalent diploma obtained on the basis of separate regulations, or, in the case of candidates pursuing education in the European Higher Education Area, a certificate of completion of a master's degree, or a declaration that the diploma or certificate of completion of a master's degree will be delivered by the date specified pursuant to § 4 para. 1, subject to § 14, subsection 3, letter c; in the case of a diploma equivalent to a diploma from a uniform master's degree programme or a second-cycle programme, the candidate shall justify the equivalence. Where the diploma was issued in a language other than Polish or English, the candidate shall attach a sworn translation thereof;
• In the case referred to in § 14, point 3(c), the candidate shall attach the Director's consent referred to in that provision;
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. The description of the initial research project proposal must include a separate explanation of the interdisciplinarity or multidisciplinarity of the research project; in addition, the candidate must include a justification for applying to the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School;
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 showing the applicant's face so that he/she can be identified, as required by the IRK;
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).

If at least half of the non-excluded members of the Qualifications Team consider that the research project does not meet the criterion of interdisciplinarity or multidisciplinarity, the number of points for the research project is 0.

A score of 0 for the research project by the respective qualification team member means that the project is deemed not to meet the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary criterion.

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

The recognition by the Qualification Team that a research project is not interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary in nature does not relieve a member of the Qualification Team from assessing the candidate's scientific activity.

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.