Institute of International Studies (IMS)
The Institute of International Studies (IMS) is one of the five institutes of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague (FSV UK). This interdisciplinary center focuses on teaching and research in the fields of area studies, international relations, and modern history, addressing the political, cultural, historical, economic, legal, and social aspects of the development of Europe, Eurasia, and North America. IMS promotes advanced research methods, critical thinking, and intercultural competence.
Founded in 1994 as the youngest part of FSV UK, IMS was established in response to the growing social demand for area studies. Currently, IMS research primarily covers North America, Western Europe, German-speaking countries, Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the post-Soviet space, situating these areas within the broader architecture of global relations and transnational flows. The range of study programs, regions, and research topics is constantly evolving, expanding, and adapting to the challenges of today’s interconnected world. Both IMS students and scholars have the opportunity to explore diverse disciplines and scientific fields, focusing on regions that align with their personal interests and career goals.
At present, the Institute of International Studies ranks among the leading academic institutions recognized both in the Czech Republic and abroad. It closely cooperates with international partners worldwide, offers double and joint degree programs, participates in numerous international research projects, and actively supports student mobility, study abroad opportunities, and internships. Approximately one-fifth of its full-time students are international. Students benefit from a dynamic academic environment and opportunities to engage with global scholarly networks through the strong international ties of the Institute.
We offer unique and engaging study programs
The Institute of International Studies offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degree programs in area studies and modern history. In full-time programs at IMS, more than 900 students are currently enrolled, with about one-fifth coming from abroad. In addition, IMS hosts part-time students as well as a large number of exchange students who join for a semester or a year. Altogether, IMS serves more than 1,200 students.
In English, applicants may choose from one Bachelor’s program, four Master’s programs, and two doctoral programs. The Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are full-time and provided on campus, while doctoral programs are offered in both full-time and part-time formats.
Bachelor’s degree program:
Master‘s degree programs:
Doctoral programs:
No matter which program you choose, you will have the flexibility to adapt the curriculum to your specific needs and interests. Core compulsory courses emphasize methods, concepts, and academic writing, while elective courses allow you to shape your own academic and professional profile. Throughout your studies, you will benefit from small study groups and an individualized approach, ensuring that your education aligns with your career plans and aspirations.
We offer innovative and engaging courses that combine cutting-edge methodologies with active discussion, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. Information about courses is available within each study program, and details about our academics—their areas of focus, professional experience, and publications—can be found on the Institute’s website. Our Institute is involved in the Erasmus+ best practice sharing project Leadership and Institutionalisation of Teaching Excellence. IMS prides itself on exceptionally rich international cooperation. We chair the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program European Politics and Society, delivered together with partner universities in Krakow, Leiden, and Barcelona. Since 2007, IMS has been a partner of University College London for the International Masters in Economy, State and Society program. Teaching is regularly enriched by visiting professors from abroad. Long-term partners include University College London, universities in Düsseldorf, Krakow, Leiden, Barcelona, and Vienna, Oxford University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Sciences Po Paris, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and many other European and overseas institutions.
We combine academic insight with practical application. Students are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities, practical placements, and internships both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Alongside your degree, you may also earn a supplementary Certificate in Digital Humanities by taking courses that provide essential data literacy and digital competencies increasingly valued across disciplines in both academic research and professional practice.
As a student of Charles University, you can take advantage of a wide range of mobility opportunities. These include study periods abroad lasting one semester or a full academic year, practical placements, summer schools, and research trips. Our colleagues will help you find the most suitable international experience through the extensive global connections of Charles University.
As an IMS graduate, you will be able to understand local challenges in a global context. You will acquire excellent methodological and subject-specific knowledge, together with a solid foundation in foreign languages. You will benefit from friendships and networks with people from around the world who share your academic and professional focus, and you may take advantage of our alumni community as well as connections with prestigious universities, think tanks, and international organizations. You will be well prepared for careers in international organizations, diplomacy, public administration, NGOs, cultural institutions, academia and research, as well as business and media.
Our research stands up to international comparison
The Institute’s members are advancing theory, methodology, and empirical research across all major areas of the social sciences. Our scholars are active in global academic networks and participate in numerous Czech, European, and other international research projects and grants. Let us highlight the most prestigious ones: the European Research Council (ERC) project Microfoundations of Collective Defense led by Dr. Michal Smetana, the Johannes Amos Comenius Program (OP JAK) project Foreign Interference in the Context of Geopolitical and Technological Change, and four Horizon Europe projects. IMS is a leading partner in Charles University’s cooperation with National Chengchi University in Taiwan through the joint research project Supply Chain Resilience Center.
IMS scholars are organized into eight research centers: Small (nation-)states, Post(Wars), Memory Studies, Democracy Today, Digital Humanities, Peace Research Center Prague, Ukraine in a Changing Europe, and Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, where active students can participate. We (co-)organize prestigious international academic conferences and workshops, actively involving our students. The Institute publishes its own peer-reviewed journal, Studia Territorialia, which focuses on Area Studies. IMS experts regularly provide commentary on current events in leading Czech and international media, with their latest contributions consistently shared on the Institute’s Facebook page.
It is impossible to list all the projects IMS is engaged in, along with every scientific achievement and noteworthy publication. However, by following the news on the Institute’s homepage, you can easily gain a clearer picture of what you might explore and experience with us. You can take part in the Institute’s scientific activities as an assistant or researcher, or even serve as the principal investigator in student projects funded by the Charles University Grant Agency (GA UK). You may also become involved in organizing conferences, workshops, or summer schools, thereby gaining valuable practical experience and building important professional connections.
Enjoy a dedicated and friendly environment
The Institute of International Studies is committed to creating a friendly, safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere where you can pursue your personal and academic goals. As a student, you will join a close‑knit community of peers from around the world. This multicultural environment allows you to live and study alongside diverse cultures and perspectives. Naturally, you will also have plenty of opportunities to connect with local students—whether through seminars, social events, or language tandems. These experiences will help you build lasting friendships and meaningful professional ties.
Students actively participate in the life of the Institute through the student self-government, which represents their interests and organizes a variety of educational and social events. Additionally, we offer a number of social and cultural events specifically tailored for our international students. More details about these activities will be available in a forthcoming article. The Institute also has its own Student Ombudsperson, who safeguards students’ rights and ensures the quick and effective resolution of a wide range of issues, helping to foster a collegial atmosphere within the Faculty.
To make students feel safe and supported, Charles University provides extensive services, including assistance for students with special educational needs, career counseling, and free psychological counseling. Students have the option to reside in Charles University dormitories and make use of its dining halls. They also have access to university libraries, IT support, and various sports courses and facilities.
IMS is located on the Jinonice Campus in a newly renovated, modern building equipped with numerous lecture halls and seminar rooms, staff offices, a cloakroom, a cafeteria, and a student kitchen. Our pride is the newly constructed, spacious library building, which provides students with comfortable facilities, including individual, team, and even late‑night study rooms. The central library of FSV UK offers extensive collections in political science, international relations, history, area studies, sociology, journalism, and media studies. It features more than 167 study spaces, 55 relaxation spaces, and over 40,000 volumes available for free selection, along with an even larger range of books and journals that can be requested from repositories.
The Jinonice Campus is located just a two-minute walk from the Jinonice metro station. From there, you can reach Prague’s historic city center in about fifteen minutes, where you will find several other Charles University buildings. These facilities host language courses and optional classes from a variety of disciplines, giving you the opportunity to broaden your academic experience across the university.
What better way to conclude the introduction of our Institute than with the impressions of our graduates? Curious about what they valued most during their studies at the Institute of International Studies?
- Professional and approachable lecturers
- Flexibility and individual choice within the programs
- A wide range of electives
- Strong support during thesis writing
- An international environment
- Numerous mobility opportunities
Join us and shape your future with the Institute of International Studies.
