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 analyze 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 address the growing geopolitical significance of Russia and the former Soviet Union. The program offers a comprehensive exploration of Russian and post-Soviet politics and societies, complemented by a broad selection of courses also covering other regions of the “East” and key thematic areas. These include governance, nationalism, ethnopolitical conflicts, security, economic development, history, and culture.
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
Through this interdisciplinary program, you’ll develop the tools to analyze regional challenges in their full context. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the social, institutional, and historical foundations of the “East”, and learn to identify what truly matters when addressing the kinds of questions posed by international organizations, diplomats, government agencies, NGOs, academics, media, and the business sector. Your language skills will provide you with an insider’s perspective on local and regional debates.
2. Flexible curriculum
You will have a high degree of flexibility to adapt the curriculum to your specific needs and interests. Core compulsory courses focus on methods, languages, academic writing, and the main political and societal developments of the region, while elective courses allow you to shape your own academic and professional profile. Throughout your studies, you will benefit from small seminar groups and an individualized approach.
3. Focused specialized tracks
The two specializations within BECES—Balkan and Central European Studies, and Russian and Eurasian Studies—enable you to develop territorial and thematic expertise that strengthens your future position on the labor market. You also have the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Digital Humanities alongside your degree by completing four specialized courses that provide essential data literacy and digital competencies. Additionally, if you complete an internship during your studies that matches your academic focus, you may even earn credits for it within your elective courses. Your education will thus be aligned with your individual career plans and aspirations.
4. 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.
5. 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 organizes 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. Moreover, you’ll have the chance to meet Czech students during seminars, social events, or even language tandems.
6. 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.
7. Access to a wide range of professions
After the completion of BECES, you will be equipped to pursue a career in the civil service or diplomacy, in NGOs or international institutions as well as in private companies or 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 about approaches and methods from different disciplines, including history, social and political sciences and international relations
- learn several foreign languages (such as Czech, Russian, Polish, or Greek, among others)
- 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.
