The Institute of Political Studies of Charles University offers three doctoral programmes, Political Science (under the auspices of the Department of Political Science), International Relations (under the auspices of the Department of Security Studies) and Digital Social Sciences (under the auspices of the Department of Security Studies). Doctoral studies are accredited for four years in both full-time and combined forms. The Political Science and International Relations programme can be completed on the basis of valid accreditation either in Czech or in English, and the Digital Social Sciences only in English. The study in English is subject to a fee.

The aim of the four-year Ph.D. programme is to prepare highly qualified professionals capable of participating in basic and applied research in academic departments and universities, but also to engage in work in the public sector, in analytical activities of relevant government departments and in various types of mass media or in the private sector in the Czech or international environment.

Doctoral studies at IPS are based mainly on the independent scientific and research work of the doctoral student. The result of this research then forms the dissertation. In addition, each student should publish at least two professional articles during their studies, participate in research and scientific activities in the form of grant applications, participate in conferences, etc. During their studies, Ph.D. students have the opportunity to engage in teaching activities at the faculty. 

Selected full-time Ph.D. students can become staff members within the Centre for Doctoral Studies (CDS) during their studies, providing them with additional financial support for their research. Within the CDS, these students also participate in the organisational support of doctoral studies at the Institute of Political Studies. The CDS selection process takes place once a year and is open to first-year students.

The structure of the doctoral studies is determined by an individual study plan, which the doctoral student prepares in cooperation with his/her supervisor at the beginning of the first year and which is then submitted to the departmental board for approval. With the consent of the supervisor and after adding to the individual plan, doctoral students may enrol in elective courses according to their professional interest; however, within each field of study, there are defined compulsory seminars that each doctoral student must take.

The course of study, the state final examination and the defence of the doctoral dissertation are regulated by the Study and Examination Regulations of the Charles University, the Rules for The Organization of Study on FSS CU, the Dean's provision no. 21/2023 Organization of Doctoral Studies at FSV UK and the framework study plans for individual disciplines.

The admission procedure for doctoral studies is held once a year in June, and enrollment in the study programme is in September of the following academic year.

Rules for doctoral scholarships at IPS

Full-time doctoral students within the standard period of study will continue to receive a basic stipend as part of their doctoral study income. In the academic year 2026/2027, the basic stipend is CZK 15,000 per month. The basic stipend may be funded from budgetary and project funds.

In the event of inadequate progress on the Individual study plan (an assessment grade below A), students receiving a grade B will not be eligible for a “teaching doctoral student” position. Students receiving a grade C will have their total doctoral study income reduced in accordance with the Charles University Scholarship and Bursary Rules.

Doctoral students admitted from the academic year 2025/2026 onwards automatically become “teaching doctoral students” if they fall within the “teaching + project” category, rather than the “project + project” category (see the IPS ISP template).

Doctoral students involved in teaching outside the “teaching doctoral student” scheme are entitled to a stipend calculated according to the rates for external teachers as an additional component of their doctoral study income.

Doctoral study income also includes SVV scholarships, which are awarded on the basis of the IPS points system.

Other sources of doctoral study income include research projects (including GAUK) and participation in the IPS Doctoral Centre, which carries a stipend of CZK 10,000 per month.

Further information on funding is available in Notice of Director no. 3/2026 – “Financial Manual” for Doctoral Students.