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SWPS University - Main page

Unique Teaching Program
SWPS University’s Doctoral School - Our Difference

We have developed a unique doctoral education model, which we offer in collaboration with international institutions that support universities in providing professional development for researchers. We accept candidates intent on academic and research careers. We provide them with optimal conditions for realizing their research aspirations, and we help them to launch their scientific careers. We understand that the most effective format of education, which ensures successful defense of doctoral theses requires several components such as: mentorship, collaboration with other researchers, networking, and sharing knowledge and experience with international colleagues.

Our doctoral program in sociology is addressed to graduates of programs in social sciences, who intend to research sociological aspects of particular phenomena.

  1. Top specialists

    Our doctoral students have an opportunity to work with renowned specialists, including: Professor Dorota Ilczuk – an acclaimed economist and theorist specializing in culture management and creative industries, or Professor Mirosław Filiciak – media researcher whose research interests include the impact of new media on cultural participation, the Internet, computer games, transformation of television, contemporary culture, and informal distribution of information. Our academic team includes lecturers from the Faculty of Humanities in Warsaw and SWPS University’s Institute of Humanities.

  2. Flexible Teaching Program

    Our teaching program comprises lectures, seminars, workshops and individual meetings with thesis advisors. This approach enables you to gain theoretical knowledge and methodological and practical skills indispensable for carrying out advanced research in the field of social sciences. At the same time, flexibility of our program allows you to take courses from other disciplines than your main discipline. Topics discussed during our seminars and workshops are presented from diverse perspectives and represent various scientific approaches.

  3. Working in research teams

    From the very beginning, you will work with a team of researchers whose research interests are aligned with yours. You will participate in various initiatives, projects, observe other researchers, become familiar with the academic environment, and you will take part in conferences and debates. Working with expert researchers will ensure that you acquire theoretical knowledge and methodological and practical research skills indispensable for carrying out advanced research in the discipline of sociology.

  4. Mentoring program

    As a student of the Doctoral School you can take advantage of our innovative mentoring program, which provides you with additional guidance on your way to a doctoral degree. The program offers group workshops, peer-mentoring meetings conducive to integration of doctoral students, exchange of knowledge and best practices among doctoral candidates, and individual consultation with mentors, who advise you on the development of your research career.

  5. Funding for research-related activities

    Doctoral students are eligible to receive funding for participation in conferences and other research-related activities deemed crucial for their doctoral research. You can also take advantage of various opportunities concerning collaboration with research centers abroad, which organize international conferences and symposia, and offer fellowships.

  6. Partnering with the European University Association (EUA)

    We are a member of the European University Association (EUA), which represents more than 850 universities and national conferences of rectors in 49 European countries. EUA plays a key role in the Bologna process and influences EU policy on higher education, research and innovation. Through constant interaction with a range of other European and international organizations, EUA ensures that the independent voice of European universities is heard.

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Download study program

Doctoral scholarships
Funding of your doctoral education

We offer free of charge doctoral studies for full-time students. Throughout the whole period of doctoral studies, students receive tax-free scholarships in the amount equal to 37%, and 57% after the mid-term assessment, of a professorial remuneration specified in the government’s regulation. The scholarships are subject to social insurance deductions, which means that doctoral students contribute to their state pension capital over the period of doctoral studies. In practice, the amount of doctoral scholarships, after pension deductions, amounts to at least: net PLN 3,076.53 (before the mid-term assessment), and net PLN 4,739.51 (after the mid-term assessment).

Our Doctoral School also accepts doctoral fellows who receive scholarships from research programs carried out by researchers from SWPS University. Detailed information is available in the Admissions Regulations.

Collaboration with research teams/centers
Learning practical skills from the the best

Review information on our research centers and teams and peruse the list of thesis advisors to select the center/team that will be most aligned with your research topic. This is the first step towards your application to SWPS University’s Doctoral School. You can work with research centers and teams located at any campus of SWPS University.

Hand putting ballot in election ballot box

Center for the Study of Democracy

The Center researches theories, models, and quality of democracy. Researchers study citizen participation in democratic and political processes, democratic innovations, social movements, as well as political views and attitudes. The goal of the Center is to improve the public sphere.

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Youth Research Center

The Center carries out interdisciplinary research in the area of youth studies. It not only brings together researchers at various stages of their careers, but also actively collaborates with the community and business partners with respect to the activation of young people.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Learn more   

Select a research center and thesis advisor
Step by step instructions

  1. Review our research centers

    Before you apply to our Doctoral School, review our Research Centers and choose a center or team, whose area of expertise is aligned with the topic of your doctoral thesis. Review the biographies of thesis advisors, in particular their research interests and requirements concerning doctoral candidates. Choose an expert with whom you would like to collaborate.

  2. Contact your chosen research center

    E-mail the head of the center/research team, where your thesis advisor works. Present the scope of your proposed research project, and indicate the researcher whom you have chosen as your thesis advisor. You may also contact the selected thesis advisor directly.

  3. Obtain recommendation of the Head of the Center

    Once you receive initial approval of your potential thesis advisor, submit a request for a formal recommendation to the Head of the Research Center. You will need this document while registering in our Application Portal.

Guide to Doctoral Studies
Before you apply to SWPS University’s Doctoral School

What is a doctorate? What does the research process look like? What are the steps to writing your doctoral thesis? How does a collaboration between a doctoral student and a research center looks like? Review our Guide to Doctoral Studies to learn more about our doctoral program, mentoring, scholarships, and grants for doctoral students.

Review our Guide to Doctoral Studies

Thesis advisors
available in 2025/2026

Review profiles of the available thesis advisors. Read the attached overviews describing their research interests and thematic scope of doctoral thesis, which they can supervise.

PLEASE NOTE: In the academic year 2025/2026 we are not accepting applications to the Political and Administrative Sciences program..

Thesis advisors – Sociology

  • Cześnik, Mikołaj review scope and requirements
    Bio
    Tak
    Permanent employee
    Tak
    Role in the Faculty
    {"funkcja-na-wydziale0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Faculty of Social Sciences in Warsaw"}}
    Role in the Department
    {"funkcja-w-katedrze0":{"Funkcja":"Head","\u0141\u0105cznik":"of the","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Department of Politics and Public Policy"}}
    Role in the Institute
    {"funkcja-w-instytucie0":{"Funkcja":"Director","\u0141\u0105cznik":"of the","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Institute of Social Sciences"}}
    Specialization
    sociologist and political scientist, specializes in analysis of political systems
    First and last name
    Mikołaj Cześnik
    Academic degree or title
    Ph.D. / Associate Professor
    City
    warszawa
    Discipline
    political-science-and-public-administration
    Position
    profesor uczelni
    Role in the Research Center
    {"funkcja-w-centrum0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Center for the Study of Democracy"}}
    Faculty
    Array
    Institute
    Array
    Ph.D. / Associate Professor Mikołaj Cześniksociologist and political scientist, specializes in the analysis of poitical systems
  • Kwiatkowski, Piotr Tadeusz review scope and requirements
    Bio
    Tak
    Specialization
    sociologist, specializing in public opinion polling and market research
    Permanent employee
    Tak
    First and last name
    Piotr Tadeusz Kwiatkowski
    Academic degree or title
    Professor
    City
    warszawa
    Discipline
    sociology
    Position
    profesor
    Role in the Faculty
    {"funkcja-na-wydziale0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Faculty of Social Sciences in Warsaw"}}
    Role in the Department
    {"funkcja-w-katedrze0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Department of Sociology"}}
    Role in the Institute
    {"funkcja-w-instytucie0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Institute of Social Sciences"}}
    Role in the Research Center
    {"funkcja-w-centrum0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Center for Research on the Economics of Memorial Sites"}}
    Faculty
    Array
    Institute
    Array
    Professor Piotr Tadeusz Kwiatkowskisociologist, specializing in public opinion polling and market research
  • Żerkowska-Balas, Marta review scope and requirements
    Bio
    Tak
    Specialization
    sociologist and political scientist
    Permanent employee
    Tak
    First and last name
    Marta Żerkowska-Balas
    Academic degree or title
    Ph.D. / Associate Professor
    City
    warszawa
    Discipline
    political-science-and-public-administration
    Position
    profesor uczelni
    Role in the Faculty
    {"funkcja-na-wydziale0":{"Funkcja":"Dean's Representative for the Quality of Education","\u0141\u0105cznik":"at the","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Faculty of Social Sciences in Warsaw"}}
    Role in the Department
    {"funkcja-w-katedrze0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Department of Politics and Public Policy"}}
    Role in the Institute
    {"funkcja-w-instytucie0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Institute of Social Sciences"}}
    Role in the Research Center
    {"funkcja-w-centrum0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Center for the Study of Democracy"}}
    Faculty
    Array
    Institute
    Array
    Ph.D. / Associate Professor Marta Żerkowska-Balassociologist and political scientist, specializing in theory and practice of democracy
  • Auxiliary Thesis Advisors

  • Czeranowska, Olga review scope and requirements
    Bio
    Tak
    Permanent employee
    Tak
    Role in the Faculty
    {"funkcja-na-wydziale0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Faculty of Social Sciences in Warsaw"}}
    Role in the Department
    {"funkcja-w-katedrze0":{"Funkcja":"Head","\u0141\u0105cznik":"of the","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Department of Sociology"}}
    Role in the Institute
    {"funkcja-w-instytucie0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Institute of Social Sciences"}}
    Specialization
    Sociologist, specializing in migrations and sociology of work
    First and last name
    Olga Czeranowska
    Academic degree or title
    Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
    City
    warszawa
    Discipline
    sociology
    Role in the Research Center
    {"funkcja-w-centrum0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Youth Research Center"}}
    Position
    adiunkt
    Faculty
    Array
    Institute
    Array
    Ph.D. / Assistant Professor Olga CzeranowskaSociologist, specializing in migrations and sociology of work
  • Kajta, Justyna review scope and requirements
    Bio
    Tak
    Permanent employee
    Tak
    Specialization
    sociologist
    First and last name
    Justyna Kajta
    Academic degree or title
    Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
    Role in the Research Center
    {"funkcja-w-centrum0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Youth Research Center"}}
    Discipline
    sociology
    Position
    adiunkt
    Role in the Institute
    {"funkcja-w-instytucie0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Institute of Social Sciences"}}
    City
    warszawa
    Institute
    Array
    Role in the Faculty
    []
    Role in the Department
    []
    Ph.D. / Assistant Professor Justyna Kajtasociologist
  • Application
    step by step

    Review detailed rules and regulations
    1. Fill in the Application Form.
      (June 3-17, 2024)
    2. Submit copies of the required documents to the Office of the Doctoral School by June 17, 2024
    3. Attend an interview (July 9-24, 2024).
    4. Wait for the admission announcement (by September 30, 2024)
    5. Submit original documents for review to the Office of the Doctoral School as soon as you are admitted (mandatory condition).

    Required
    documents

    • personal data form
    • application and motivational letter, addressed to the Admissions Committee appropriate to a particular discipline
    • Master’s degree diploma, including a diploma supplement or a university transcript, and your Grade Point Average (GPA) (copy)
    • documents confirming your achievements (copy)
    • overview of your proposed doctoral dissertation
    • confirmation of the application fee payment
    • formal approval of a research center or a research team
     

    Documents

    Rules and regulations

    Forms

    Fees
    and scholarships

    Application fee

    Application fee is PLN 400

    The application fee is nonrefundable regardless of the admission decision. Graduates of SWPS University are exempt from the application fee.

     

    Funding of doctoral education

    Full-time
    Free of charge as it is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science (MEiN).
    Scholarships for doctoral students
    Over the period of doctoral studies, students who do not already hold doctoral degrees, receive tax-free scholarships in the amount equal to 37% (before the mid-term assessment), and 57% (after the mid-term assessment), of a professorial remuneration specified in the Minister’s regulation.
    before mid-term assessment after mid-term assessment
    net PLN 3,076.53 net PLN 4,739.51