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GSSR

GSSR Formal Requirements for the Application Package

  • Please provide each document (cf. Checklist) in English. As an exception, if you have completed the MA thesis in another language than English, or you submit a publication that appeared in a non-English language scientific outlet, you can provide these documents in their original language. However, you need to also provide a 700 words English-language summary of your MA thesis or academic publication.
  • All documents must be in PDF format.
  • All documents’ names must be standardized, as follows: Number of the document in the checklist_document title_your last and first name_discipline (e.g. 3_Academic Curriculum Vitae_Kowalski_Jane_Sociology).
  • In the email message subject line to sns@gssr.edu.pl write: “PhD APPLICATION and the discipline you are applying for (e.g. PhD APPLICATION SOCIOLOGY; or, PhD APPLICATION POLITICAL SCIENCE; etc.).

Upon submitting electronically, by July 10 (16:59 CTE time), the complete Application Package, including proof of Application Fee payment, GSSR will send a confirmation email that your application has been received. If you do not receive the confirmation by July 14, 14:00, contact us at sns@gssr.edu.pl

Copy of Master’s Degree diploma or equivalent certificate of graduation, or an official document from the applicant’s university stating when the defense of the MA thesis is due to take place.

Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV), which, among standard categories, such as completed education, field of studies, and skills, should include, as applicable: awards, scholarships, and fellowships;  research experience; conference or workshop presentations; publications.  

800-1000 words – describing the applicant’s experience to date in the given discipline, their academic interests, aims, and the reasons for choosing GSSR/SNS as the site for doctoral training.

1200-1500 words, excluding Bibliography, Figures or Tables – that (i) describes the research problem and why it is important for the candidate’s chosen discipline, (ii) states the research question(s), and, as applicable, testable hypotheses, (iii) briefly outlines the main theoretical framework(s) that the research ties to; (iv) introduces the research methods, and, as applicable, the data that the candidate plans to use, to address the research question(s), and, (v) outlines the envisioned type(s) of data analysis (when applicable).

Up to two letters, with at least one from the candidate’s MA thesis supervisor or a person who is familiar with their academic achievements and aptitude for conducting independent research.

MA Thesis or a selected (co-)authored Academic Publication. Candidates must also provide an English-language summary (700 words) of their MA thesis or academic publication if these studies were originally written in another language than English.

Issued by the candidate’s university that lists all courses completed during MA studies or equivalent studies (cf. point 2) and corresponding grades.

For applicants who are not Polish citizens

Payment Confirmation of Application Fee of 200 PLN. The fee is waived for candidates who are citizens of non-EU countries.

Applicants who are non-native English speakers must submit one of the standardized English language test scores listed at Language requirements. Candidates who take the TOEFL or IELTS should request a copy of their results to be sent directly to GSSR’s Admissions Office. The TOEFL institution code for the GSSR is 7962.

Candidates who completed their studies in English (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) are exempt from the requirement to send a test certificate

Applicants to the PhD program in Psychology must, additionally, send to GSSR the principled agreement of a faculty member affiliated with IP PAN that s/he agrees to serve as the candidate’s main/supplementary supervisor if the candidate’s doctoral school application is successful. When the main supervisor is from outside IP PAN, her/his principled agreement is required, next to the statement from the IP PAN faculty member. These statements can be in the form of an email from the faculty member(s) to the candidate, or a PDF document. The statements should be dated, and provide the name, title and affiliation of the prospective supervisor(s), as well as the name of the candidate. You must submit the faculty member’s principled agreement to serve as your supervisor as part of your Application package to GSSR’s PhD program in Psychology.

Copy of Master’s Degree diploma or equivalent certificate of graduation, or an official document from the applicant’s university stating when the defense of the MA thesis is due to take place.

Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV), which, among standard categories, such as completed education, field of studies, and skills, should include, as applicable: awards, scholarships, and fellowships;  research experience; conference or workshop presentations; publications.  

800-1000 words – describing the applicant’s experience to date in the given discipline, their academic interests, aims, and the reasons for choosing GSSR/SNS as the site for doctoral training.

1200-1500 words, excluding Bibliography, Figures or Tables – that (i) describes the research problem and why it is important for the candidate’s chosen discipline, (ii) states the research question(s), and, as applicable, testable hypotheses, (iii) briefly outlines the main theoretical framework(s) that the research ties to; (iv) introduces the research methods, and, as applicable, the data that the candidate plans to use, to address the research question(s), and, (v) outlines the envisioned type(s) of data analysis (when applicable).

Up to two letters, with at least one from the candidate’s MA thesis supervisor or a person who is familiar with their academic achievements and aptitude for conducting independent research.

MA Thesis or a selected (co-)authored Academic Publication. Candidates must also provide an English-language summary (700 words) of their MA thesis or academic publication if these studies were originally written in another language than English.

Issued by the candidate’s university that lists all courses completed during MA studies or equivalent studies (cf. point 2) and corresponding grades.

For applicants who are not Polish citizens

Payment Confirmation of Application Fee of 200 PLN. The fee is waived for candidates who are citizens of non-EU countries.

Applicants who are non-native English speakers must submit one of the standardized English language test scores listed at Language requirements. Candidates who take the TOEFL or IELTS should request a copy of their results to be sent directly to GSSR’s Admissions Office. The TOEFL institution code for the GSSR is 7962.

Candidates who completed their studies in English (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) are exempt from the requirement to send a test certificate

Applicants to the PhD program in Psychology must, additionally, send to GSSR the principled agreement of a faculty member affiliated with IP PAN that s/he agrees to serve as the candidate’s main/supplementary supervisor if the candidate’s doctoral school application is successful. When the main supervisor is from outside IP PAN, her/his principled agreement is required, next to the statement from the IP PAN faculty member. These statements can be in the form of an email from the faculty member(s) to the candidate, or a PDF document. The statements should be dated, and provide the name, title and affiliation of the prospective supervisor(s), as well as the name of the candidate. You must submit the faculty member’s principled agreement to serve as your supervisor as part of your Application package to GSSR’s PhD program in Psychology.