Program spotlight: Balkan, Eurasian and Central European Studies
Are you intrigued by the complexities of the “East”? Do you want to explore how history, politics, society, and culture intertwine across Central Europe, the Balkans, and the post-Soviet space? The Balkan, Eurasian and Central European Studies (BECES) program is built for it — a critical and interdisciplinary dive into one of the world’s most dynamic, challenging and diverse regions.
BECES is an interdisciplinary two-year Master’s degree program focusing on the modern history and current affairs of Central Europe, the Balkans, and the post-Soviet area (including the Caucasus and Central Asia). You can focus on either a single country or alternatively, approach the whole region from a thematic angle, be it history, culture, political development or environmental issues.
Specializations
What is more, to enhance your curriculum, the program offers two specializations. Both analyse and integrate the political, societal, economic, and cultural developments in the region and address broad thematic issues such as governance, security, nationalism, and ethnopolitical conflicts. They allow you to develop a blend of specialist area knowledge, analytical expertise, and language skills.
Balkan and Central European Studies integrates the analysis of political, societal, economic and cultural developments in the Balkans and Central Europe, and seeks to place the interaction of these influences in a policy-relevant context.
Russian and Eurasian Studies is designed to respond to the growing strategic importance of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Study of Russian and post-Soviet politics is supplemented by a wide range of options on other regions of the former Soviet Union and broad thematic issues such as corruption and governance, ethnopolitical conflict, nationalism, and security.
Why study BECES?
Why should you study Balkan, Eurasian and Central European Studies? Here are the key aspects of the program that will help you develop and prepare for your future career:
1. Understanding the region in the context
This interdisciplinary program will teach you how to grasp regional problems in their context. You will understand the social, institutional and historical underpinnings of the “East” and be able to recognise what is and what is not relevant for finding a working solution. Your language skills will provide you with an insider’s perspective into local and regional debates.
2. Flexible curriculum
You will have large flexibility to adapt the curriculum to your specific needs and interests. The core compulsory courses focus on methods, languages, academic writing, and on the main political and societal development of the region, while the elective courses allow you to build your own personal academic and professional profile that helps you find an appropriate job in future.
3. Focused specialised tracks
The two specialisations of BECES – Balkan and Central European Studies and Russian and Eurasian Studies – will allow you to create a territorial and thematic focus and expertise that increases your value on the labour market in the future.
4. Internships
An internship, which is an integral part of the curriculum, related to the track as well as your research for the Master’s thesis will ensure that you will be able to use your knowledge and skills in a both academic and practical context.
5. Study abroad opportunities
What would it be like to study Area Studies without spending some time in the chosen region? As a BECES student, you can take advantage of a wide range of student mobility opportunities. The international activities available to you will include study periods abroad lasting one semester or a whole academic year, practical placements, summer schools, and research trips abroad.
6. Outstanding academic institution
BECES is delivered by the dedicated and friendly Institute of International Studies. The Institute provides a broad spectrum of disciplinary and territorial knowledge that ensures that you make as much as possible from your studies. Members of our Institute are experts in their field, advising public institutions, participating in international research consortia, and regularly appearing in the media.
7. Friendly group of students and a lot of social activities
You will become a member of a cohesive body of students from around the world. The multicultural environment allows students to live and study alongside different cultures and world views. In addition, the Institute organises social activities throughout the year, including trips outside of Prague, for all international students. Therefore, you will be able to establish long-lasting ties with fellow students from other programs. In addition, you’ll have the chance to meet Czech students during seminars, social events, or even language tandems.
8. Access to a wide range of professions
After the completion of BECES, you can become a highly skilled employee in the civil service or diplomacy, in NGOs or international institutions as well as in private companies or mass media. You will also be well prepared for a variety of academic pursuits and will possess a wide range of knowledge and skills required in various social science fields.
Become a BECES student and:
- understand the interplay between politics, society, culture and economy in the “East”
- combine courses and adapt your curriculum to your specific interests
- gain expertise in a country or a region close to your heart
- learn several foreign languages (Czech, Russian, Polish…)
- study with talented students from all over the world
- get first-hand experience by living in a post-communist country
Studying BECES means to engage deeply with the ideas, histories, and challenges that define today’s “East.” It’s a chance to gain a unique regional perspective, develop critical and practical skills, and become part of a vibrant international community. With BECES, you don’t just study the region — you experience it, understand it, and prepare to shape its future.