Information for prospective students
Geography studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Comenius University have the longest tradition in Slovakia. The department is the largest (about 20 teachers and researchers) and the only one specialising in research and teaching all branches of human geography (e.g. economic, social, political, urban, transport, and cultural geography) and demography (population structures and processes, demographic forecasting, population policies). Students obtain extensive training in analytical skills, statistics and data science, geoinformatics application and public policy evaluations and formulations.
Bachelor's programme
We offer one undergraduate degree programme with two specializations focusing on economic and political geography and demography. The standard length of the study is 3 years (full-time), and it is leading to an internationally recognized Bachelor‘s degree programme:Economic and Political Geography and Demography
specialisations:
1 - Economic and Political Geography
2 - Demography, Migration and Human Resources
(students select one of the specialisations at the beginning of their study)
Deadline for application is March 15 2024
» For more details see: https://fns.uniba.sk/en/bachelor_studies/
Core courses in Economic and Political Geography specialisation:
Introduction to economic and social geography
Economic geography and geography of industry
Political geography and geopolitics basics
Settlement geography
Geography of transport, logistics and telecommunications
Geography of agrifood industry and forestry
Geography of tourism
Geography of retail and foreign trade
Geography of sport
Research project / Bachelor work
Core courses in Demography, Migration and Human Resources specialisation:
Introduction to the study of demography
Demogeography and demography 1, 2
Families, households and selected demographic structures
Basics of demographic analysis
Regional demography of Europe
Mobility and migration management
Applied demography and human resources
Demographic and geographic data sources
Field research and excursions
Other selected courses available:
Geoinformatics for demography, economic and political geography
Computer mapping
Database design and information systems
Informatisation, social networks and globalization
Economics and public finance
Urban economics, local finance and local development
Regional development, regional policy and planning
Applied cartography
Statistics
Applied statistics and geostatistics
Sociology
Management and communication
Research project / Bachelor work
Master's programme
We offer one master's degree programme with two specializations. The standard length of study is 2 years, and it is leading to an internationally recognized:Economic and Social Geography, Demography and Territorial Development
1 – Economic, Social and Political Geography and Territorial Development
2 – Demography and Population Geography
Deadline for application is May 31 2024
We accepted applicants with completed Bc. degree in geography, or neighbouring disciplines (e.g. planning, economics, political sciences, sociology, anthropology).
» For more details see: https://fns.uniba.sk/en/master_studies/
Core courses in Economic, Social and Political Geography and Territorial Development specialization:
Social geography
Political geography
Geographical thinking and human geography
Theories of regional development and regional research
Geography, public policy and urban development
Rural development
Geography of public administration
Crossborder cooperation
Core courses in Demography and Population Geography specialization:
Demographic analysis 1, 2
Population projections and forecasting
Global population development
Geography of religions
Historical and modern demography of Slovakia
Population and family policy
Demographic theories and research trends
Geoinformatic modelling in demography
Other selected courses available:
Quantitative and qualitative research methods
Territorial planning and GIS application in territorial planning
Geography of the hotel industry
GIS tools applications
European Union policy
Project management and management of projects funded by European Union
Field research and excursions
Research project – Master work
Doctoral (PhD) programme
We offer one internationally recognized doctoral degree programme (4 years standard length / 5 years distant study):Human Geography and Demography
Important note: students are applying to the dissertation themes proposed by supervisors working at the department and available on the web pages of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
No free themes are possible to submit within the application process.
The deadline for applications is May 31 2024.
We accept also good applicants with completed Master level (MSc/MA) degree in geography, or in neighbouring disciplines (e.g. planning, economics, political sciences, sociology, anthropology).
Our doctoral programme is open worldwide. Applicants are applying on proposed research themes related to departmental research priorities. The department usually provides 2 scholarships a year following valid regulations (now about 1000 EUR per month, for the duration of the doctoral studies in full-time form) to the best applicants decided by the application commission of the programme on a selective basis.
Accepted doctoral students have at their disposal all departmental facilities (including A0 printing, specialized software, extensive spatial datasets), and obtain own “chair and table” within the department, PC etc. They are participating in departmental teaching and research. They can compete for additional research grants provided by the Comenius University research support scheme (on average about 1000 EUR a year), not to mention other external research funding schemes.
» For more details see: https://fns.uniba.sk/en/study/phd/in-english/
Each candidate for the doctoral studies at the department can support her/his application (besides necessary documents required by the faculty - see https://fns.uniba.sk/en/study/phd/in-english/) by submitting following additional materials on voluntary, non-obligatory base, depending on applicant consideration.
We will welcome:
- letter of motivation - explaining reasons for interests to study selected topic (two pages maximum) - send signed scanned document;
- up to two (academic) reference letters by including the referees signature, on institutional headed paper - as scanned documents (with e-mail contact of reviewer for potential verification); or reference letter sent directly by the referee;
- writing sample in English - own authorised text e. g. thesis, article; send as pdf files, or provide us with the link where such text is accessible.
General information for prospective students
Geography studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Comenius University have the longest tradition in Slovakia. The department is the largest (about 20 teachers and researchers) and the only one specialising in research and teaching all branches of human geography (e.g. economic, social, political, urban, transport, and cultural geography) and demography (population structures and processes, demographic forecasting, population policies) within the Slovak republic.Our current programmes are in full consent with OECD structure (Frascati Manual) and Ministry of Education Guidance of the Slovak Republic 55/2022 classifying the fields of research and study (FORD 50700 Social and Economic Geography; with focus on 050701 Demography, 050702 Human Geography and 050706 Political Geography). They are very suitable for foreign students providing universal training in various disciplines of human geography and demography, reflecting an international framework (with less focus on Slovak issues and praxis). It is supported by training in neighbouring disciplines. Students obtain extensive training in analytical skills, statistics and data science, geoinformatics application and public policy evaluations and formulations. We are also less focused on disciplines of physical geography.
Our programmes are available in the Slovak language. Besides prevailing Slovak students, we also have plenty of foreign students mostly with backgrounds in Slavic languages (e.g. Czech, Ukrainian, Russian, and Slovaks living permanently abroad). Those studying in Slovak language are paying no tuition fees (specific conditions concern PhD studies). For foreign students' intensive courses in Slovak are available for quick adaptation. The department welcomes an increasing international atmosphere. The department provides selected courses in English, primarily for a rising number of Erasmus+ students (e.g. in demography, economic and social geography, urban economics and local development).
We know that visiting a department, faculty site, university and Bratislava, can be a beneficial experience in deciding to study here. We provide opportunities for prospective students to visit us during "open day ". If you are interested in an independent visit let us know in advance.
Our graduates successfully compete for jobs in public, private as well as non-profit sectors. We pay extensive attention to training in various aspects of territorial development, planning, management and various spatial public policies (regional policy, urban policy, rural development policy, EU policies). The immanent part of training is developing analytical skills and application of geoinformatics. Our training reflects the challenges of the current societies - uneven development, geopolitical tensions, diversity, migration, globalization, social networks, technological innovations impact etc. All students have the opportunity to get scholarships, based primarily on their education performance during the whole period of study. Accepted students mostly live in student dormitories provided by Comenius University.
For more details contact: michal.klobucnik@uniba.sk
See also: https://fns.uniba.sk/en/study/; https://uniba.sk/en/international-relations/