What will you learn?

The study program Social Geography and Regional Development (SGRD) focuses on the study of the spatiality of social life. The Faculty of Science at Masaryk University is a traditional specialization, whose content reflects the changing society and its manifestations in the area. The interpretation of this situation also reflects the deepening knowledge of geographic and related scientific disciplines as well as improving methodological approaches. The SGRD is characterized by a comprehensive view, allowing the interpretation of social, economic, environmental, political and cultural processes in their interrelationships and wider contexts. Another characteristic feature of the field is the sensitivity to scale of studied phenomena and processes, ie the interest in interpreting processes taking place at different hierarchical levels and respecting (accentuating the importance of relationships between these levels). Thematically, the research focuses on, for example, the spatio-temporal organization of society, transformation and developmental changes in the Czech environment, peripheral-rural-border regions, regional and sectoral policies, as well as political-geographical topics. Students are encouraged to communicate with specialists in related fields while retaining a synthesizing geographic perspective. At the same time, however, the study is significantly linked to the practice of regional development (public administration), where graduates often find employment. The study program is open to graduates with master's degree in geography or related fields, including from other faculties and universities.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the SGRR doctoral program can apply the acquired qualifications especially in academic workplaces, research and departmental institutions, or also in the private sector. They are able to carry out independent scientific and research activities in the area of basic, eventually. applied research. In a broader sense, they are ready to carry out all activities related to scientific work, ie. to deal with conceptual issues, scientific and organizational activities, as well as teaching and transferring experience. A certain specificity is the application of graduates in practice, ie at higher positions in regional development institutions at various hierarchical (administrative) levels of public administration.

Admission procedure

Prospective students who graduated from the Master's degree in Geography and Cartography or related field, need to choose a topic for their PhD thesis and a supervisor according to the range of available dissertation topics. The entrance examination will take place before the Commission, with regards to the following requirements:
- The full scope and content of graduate (masters) studies in Geography and Cartography focusing on regional geography and regional development
- A written English essay on the anticipated objectives, methods, and results of the proposed doctoral dissertation in the range of 1-2 pages and an oral presentation of the subject matter in English
- Submission of the PhD thesis, and professional publications if any
- Carrying out at least part of the examination in English.
More information about admission process for international applicants in general can be found here.

Date of the entrance exam
The applicants will receive information about the entrance exam by e-mail usually at least 10 days before the exam.
Please, always check your e-mails, including spam folders.

Conditions of admission
To be admitted, a candidate must obtain a total of 50 out of 100 points, so that at least half of the required points are achieved in each section.
Successful applicants are informed of their acceptance by e-mail and subsequently receive an invitation to the enrolment.

Programme capacity
The capacity of a given programme is not fixed; students are admitted based on a decision by the Doctoral Board after assessing their aptitude for study and motivation.