Digital Social Sciences is the first interdisciplinary and cross-institutional doctoral program at Charles University. It connects Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. All participating departments can offer a stimulating environment with multitude of opportunities to participate in research programmes and teaching activities. The aim of the DiSS is to prepare highly qualified specialists who will be able to who will be able to address the most pressing issues related to the digitalisation of society in both public and private institutions.

The PhD program is research-oriented and to complete the studies, every student shall compose a dissertation and publish at least two scientific articles based on their independent research. However, students are also expected to undergo methodological training and attend courses focusing on the domain-relevant agendas. Doctoral students are also encouraged to engage in teaching at the faculties and participate in larger research projects organized by the faculties.

Doctoral studies may be conducted either full-time or part-time. Both full-time study ("internal" study) and part-time study ("external" study) takes four years. Full-time students who do not complete their dissertation within four years may be allowed to continue their studies as part-time students, provided they show substantial progress on their dissertation. 

Full-time PhD students get a monthly scholarship to cover their basic expenses. Additional funding may be provided from grants or special scholarships awarded for teaching or research assistance. The seminars of the Programme are all run in English, as the group of Ph.D. students is always international.

The responsibilities of both full-time and part-time students are largely the same. Part-time students are excused from administrative duties, the requirements for their participation in scholarly activities of the Institute are lessened, and they typically have less advantageous positions when applying for some sources of research funding at the university level. 

The course of studies, the final state exam and the defence of dissertation thesis is regulated by Study and Examinations Rules of CU, Rules for The Organization of Study on FSS CU, Dean's provision no. 21/2023 Organization of Doctoral Studies at FSV UK, and framework study plans of particular programmes.

Further information about the programme and the students’ duties can be found in the Student Handbook.