GSSR is Home to Three PAN Institutes

Since 1992, GSSR has been the PhD school of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In the academic year 2019-2020, under the provisions of the new law on higher education and science, GSSR became the home of two additional institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences: the Institute of Psychology and the Institute of Political Studies.

Post-graduate education at GSSR is the foundation of a PhD from one of three Polish Academy of Sciences institutes – IFiS, IP, and IPS. GSSR students have the option of obtaining a PhD in one of four disciplines: Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, and Political Science.

The PhD programme lasts four years – the maximum period for such a programme normally allowed by Polish law (limited additional time is permitted for students interrupting their studies for various reasons specified in Ministerial regulations).

For the 2021 – 2022 academic year, GSSR accepted applications for study within the doctoral school from January 2021 to August 3, 2021. The academic year began October 4, 2021. For details, see admissions.

Scholarships

Doctoral scholarships are available in accordance with the new Polish law that came into force on October 2019. All doctoral students (regardless of citizenship) starting the programme in October 2019 and later receive a stipend of at least 2372 PLN per month (after taxes the amount is still over 2100 PLN). This stipend will increase by over 50% on successful completion of the second year of the programme. Doctoral students (regardless of citizenship) starting the programme in October 2019 or after are not required to pay fees.

Funding is also available to applicants successful in one of the grants competitions see: Grant opportunities

Individual Study Programme

At the beginning of each academic year, PhD students work together with their supervisor on a programme of individual study. In addition to compulsory courses taught in GSSR, students will be expected to participate in a research unit of one of the three PAN institutes (or, exceptionally, in an equivalent research centre).

PhD students’ individual study programme should be designed to ensure that they have the methodological skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for successful completion of doctoral research, and, for those who choose, for their further academic career. These skills and knowledge will be gained by participation in GSSR courses and in the research work of the institutes. On completion of the four years of the programme, in addition to the completion of a PhD dissertation, students will have gained insight into aspects of a research group’s work. This ranges from basic research, preparation of work for publication, as well as the important ‘soft skills’ gained from working in a team.

Courses

Toward the completion of their PhD training, GSSR students take compulsory and optional courses. Compulsory courses differ by the students’ chosen discipline: Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, and Political Studies.

Important Documents

• PhD Programme Handbook

• Regulations of the Doctoral School at the Graduate School for Social Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, effective from 1 October 2021

• Study Programme for the Doctoral School at the Graduate School for Social Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 2022-2023