A Five Star Department

The Department of Political Science at Central European University (CEU) is announcing a call for applications for graduate studies in political science. This year 31 full-package MA and 10 full package PhD scholarships will be distributed! Master level studies can be pursued in the framework of both one-year and two years long programs.

CEU’s Political Science Department has been ranked as one of the best political science departments in Europe for the fourth time consecutively in May 2013. Quacquarelli Symonds' (QS) annual survey placed CEU’s political science and international relations program as 42nd, which at CEU is represented by the Department of Political Science, the Department of International Relations and European Studies, and the Department of Public Policy. With a ranking of 42, CEU came in above Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, City University of Hong Kong, and University of Oslo, among others. The ranking also equates to the No. 12 spot in Europe. The survey considered 2,000 institutions worldwide, of which 700 were evaluated and 400 ranked. Since 2004, the QS World University Rankings have placed universities in an order of merit through a detailed evaluation of their academic standing, quality of teaching, publications, and research citations.

The Department also received five stars from the prestigious Center for Higher Education Development (http://www.excellenceranking.org/eusid/EUSID). 52 Universities have been selected into this “excellence” group and besides our department, only three other departments from the region made it onto the list. The departments were evaluated on ten dimensions and the best ones received “stars”. Our department received five stars, toping 41 universities. This publication sends the message that CEU is one of the best in Europe in Political Science.

The Department has about twenty international residential faculty members. Next to the core faculty, courses are given by distinguished recurrent visiting professors from The European University Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Trinity College Dublin, Duke University, Cornell University, London School of Economic, University of Siena, University of Virginia, Warsaw School of Social Sciences and Humanities, etc.).

The Department is unique within Europe with a curriculum that covers almost all areas of political studies. We have a strong concentration of courses in fields like comparative politics, political economy, political theory, voting, parties and elections, political communication, European Union and postcommunist politics. With original scholarship, basic and applied research, and creative instructors, graduate work at the department attracts an outstanding selection of ambitious and qualified students from throughout the world. The student/faculty ratio for the Department of Political Science is 5:1.

The Political Science Department is particularly well embedded in a dense network of first rank American and European departments through bilateral agreements, Erasmus contracts and through an exclusive club of PhD programs that provides possibilities for networking, conferences and external supervision for graduate students. The University supports the work of the students with scholarships, accommodation, and financial support for field work as well as funding for conferences and summer schools. The department collaborates with the following research centers at CEU: the Center for Ethics and Law in Biomedicine, the Center for Media and Communication Studies, the Center for the Study of Imperfections in Democracy

 

Career Paths 

A Upon completion of the program, students will have acquired a solid background in political science and political economy, political theory, and social science research. Alumni of the department continue their career in higher education, politics, political analysis, the media, civil service, international NGOs and research organizations, business, government, and other related areas. Graduates who wish to further their studies elsewhere typically enroll in the doctoral programs of leading European and US universities. Additional information on CEU graduates’ career paths is available at: http://alumnicareer.ceu.hu/profiles

 

The University 

CEU is a graduate, research-oriented university. It has an extremely diverse student body (coming from more than 100 countries), composed of future opinion leaders and academics. It is situated in the heart of Budapest, a cosmopolitan European capital with all of its historical and cultural virtues. The language of instruction and communication is English.

 

The Master Programs:

Master of Arts in Political Science (One-year Program) 

The program offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum in theory and research methods of contemporary political science. Specializations include a variety of fields such as: politics and economics of democratization in a comparative perspective; political culture; international development; comparative and European politics; current issues in the theory and practice of constitutional democracy; political theory; political sociology and political economy. US standards in research and teaching are harmonized with the diverse needs of an international student body.

 

Master of Arts in Political Science (Two-year Program) 

The two-year program specifically addresses the needs of students who have a three-year study background in political science (or a related discipline) and would like to gain comprehensive knowledge about contemporary political theory and European politics as well as different research methodologies and empirical skills necessary for the practice of political science. Students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in fields such as comparative politics, political economy, political communication or political theory.

 

Specializations:

The department offers MA students a variety of courses by means of which certificates can be obtained: 

  • Certificate in Comparative Politics
  • Certificate in Social and Political Theory
  • Certificate in Political Communication
  • Certificate in Political Economy
  • Certificate in Electoral Politics
  • Certificate in Political Research Methodology and Social Analysis
  • Certificate in Comparative European Politics
  • Certificate in Post-communist Politics
  • Certificate in Public Policy 
  • Certificate in Constitutional Politics.

 

Entry Requirements for the Master’s Programs:

All applicants must meet the General CEU Admissions Requirements (see: www.ceu.hu/admissions/apply), and submit: 

  • a 100-word statement of purpose describing the reason(s) why they are applying to the program
  • a short (approximately 500 words) exposition of an issue or problem in political science in which they are interested
  • samples of previous writings and/or a list of scholarly publications and relevant research experience (as applicable). Note that these materials will not be kept, commented on or returned by the department. Successful applicants typically hold a first degree in political science, economics, sociology, history or law (other degrees are also given consideration).

 

The Doctoral Program 

The doctoral program is primarily oriented towards academia, preparing graduate students for a career in research and/or university-level teaching. The emphasis is on the development of professional-level research and analytical skills in one or more of the following fields: comparative politics, European studies, international relations, political economy, political theory, public policy and human rights. The different tracks are taught and administered together with the departments of international relations and European studies, public policy, philosophy and legal studies. During their studies at CEU, doctoral candidates are actively introduced to research networks in their field through participation in major research projects in which CEU faculty are partners or lead personnel. Travel support from CEU for participation in major academic conferences and summer schools is available. There are also opportunities to participate in graduate student workshops that the department organizes regularly, in collaboration with some of the most outstanding European and US universities (including: LSE, EUI, Pompeu Fabra, Sciences Po, SUM). Doctoral enrollment may continue up to a maximum of six years. Students admitted into CEU doctoral programs are eligible to receive the CEU Doctoral Fellowship for up to three years. Numerous additional funding opportunities exist, such as the Doctoral Research Support Grant Program, the Erasmus Mobility Scheme, and various research and travel funds.

 

Entry Requirements for the Doctoral Program:

In addition to meeting the General CEU Admissions Requirements (see: http://www.ceu.hu/admissions/apply), applicants must have earned a GPA of 3.3 or higher in their Master’s program (or an equivalent grade), and must also submit a: 

  • 100-word statement of purpose discussing their field of scholarly interest and future professional goals, and the reason(s) why they are applying to the program
  • 500-word summary of their MA thesis
  • 500-word outline of their doctoral dissertation topic

Applicants are also encouraged to attach samples of previous writings, a list of scholarly publications or relevant research experience.