Charles University IEPS Program Guide 2026

What Is the IEPS Program at Charles University

The International Economic and Political Studies (IEPS) program at Charles University in Prague represents one of Central Europe’s most compelling master’s degrees for students seeking a multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary political and economic challenges. Established in 2003 at the Faculty of Social Sciences — itself founded in 1990 in the wake of the Velvet Revolution — IEPS has graduated over 120 alumni who have gone on to careers at institutions ranging from the International Monetary Fund to leading European corporations.

The program belongs to the globally recognized PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) family of interdisciplinary studies, investigating contemporary political, economic, and social issues from multiple analytical perspectives. What distinguishes IEPS from similar programs across Europe is its combination of academic rigor, remarkable flexibility, and a truly multicultural classroom that draws students from the United States, Germany, China, Australia, Russia, Britain, Turkey, Ukraine, India, Korea, Mexico, and dozens of other countries.

Taught entirely in English and housed in a stunning faculty building overlooking the Vltava River with views of Prague Castle, IEPS has earned its reputation as the most preferred study program at the Faculty of Social Sciences among international students. The program’s emphasis on non-conventional economic thinking applied to real-world policy decisions prepares graduates to operate at the level of supra-national institutions, states, regions, corporations, media organizations, and political parties. For students exploring interdisciplinary programs in Europe, the IEPS offers a distinctive alternative to similar offerings at institutions like KU Leuven and other leading European universities.

IEPS Curriculum and Modular Structure

The IEPS curriculum requires students to complete 120 credits across mandatory courses, modular electives, and free electives — a structure that balances foundational knowledge with significant individual specialization. This modular design allows students to tailor their educational experience to their specific career ambitions, whether those lie in finance, international relations, or academic research.

The program’s architecture consists of three credit blocks. Mandatory courses account for 53 credits and provide the shared intellectual foundation that all IEPS students acquire. Mandatory module courses — worth 55 credits — allow students to specialize through four themed modules covering economics and finance, politics and international relations, and humanities and philosophy. The remaining 12 credits come from free electives, which students can select from hundreds of courses taught across the entire Faculty of Social Sciences or other Charles University faculties.

This structure means that two IEPS students can pursue markedly different intellectual journeys while sharing the same degree. A student fascinated by financial markets might concentrate their module selections on economics and finance courses, while a classmate passionate about diplomatic history could weight their choices toward politics and humanities. Both graduate with the same degree, but with distinct expertise profiles that reflect their individual interests and career aspirations.

To complete the degree, students must acquire all 120 credits, defend a master’s thesis demonstrating original analytical capability, and pass state examinations in both economics and politics. This dual examination requirement ensures that all graduates — regardless of their specialization emphasis — maintain competence across the program’s core disciplines, producing the well-rounded analysts that employers increasingly value.

Core Courses in the IEPS Program

The mandatory course sequence provides IEPS students with a robust interdisciplinary foundation spanning political philosophy, economic methodology, public policy, international relations theory, and political economy. These eight core courses ensure that every graduate possesses the analytical vocabulary and conceptual frameworks needed to navigate complex global challenges.

Global Political Philosophy establishes the normative foundations for understanding political and economic systems, while History and Methodology of Economics equips students with the epistemological tools needed to critically evaluate competing economic paradigms. Public Policy bridges theory and practice, examining how governments translate political priorities into actionable programs, and Geography and Politics in Europe within Global Regionalism contextualizes European developments within broader patterns of regional integration and fragmentation worldwide.

Theories of International Relations provides the classical and contemporary frameworks — realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical approaches — that IEPS students apply throughout their subsequent studies. Public Finance delivers essential understanding of fiscal policy, taxation, and government spending that underlies informed analysis of virtually every policy domain. International Political Economy, which sits at the intersection of the program’s core disciplines, examines how states, markets, and international institutions interact to shape the global economic order.

The Master’s Thesis Seminar provides structured support for the program’s capstone requirement, guiding students through topic selection, methodology design, research execution, and scholarly writing. This course reflects IEPS’s commitment to producing graduates who can conduct rigorous independent analysis — a skill that distinguishes master’s-level professionals from those with only undergraduate training. Students benefit from the Faculty of Social Sciences’ research culture, which supports seven international academic journals spanning political economy, politics, area studies, media, public policy, and political science.

Specialization Modules: Economics, Politics, Humanities

The IEPS modular system offers extraordinary breadth and depth of choice. Module 0 (Microeconomics) provides a foundational course selected from three options, ensuring all students possess the economic literacy needed for advanced coursework. Module 1 (Economics and Finance) offers 32 courses spanning quantitative methods, financial analysis, development economics, and macroeconomic policy — a catalogue that rivals dedicated economics programs at many universities.

Module 2 (Politics and International Relations) presents 30 courses covering comparative politics, security studies, regional governance, diplomatic history, and conflict resolution. Students drawn to this module gain expertise that prepares them for careers in diplomacy, international organizations, security analysis, and public administration. The module’s breadth ensures that students can develop both regional expertise and thematic specialization.

Module 3 (Humanities and Philosophy) offers 33 courses that provide the historical, philosophical, and cultural context essential for nuanced analysis of political and economic phenomena. This module attracts students who recognize that effective policy analysis requires understanding not just quantitative data but also the cultural, ethical, and intellectual traditions that shape how societies define and pursue their goals.

Students must select courses from at least three modules, preventing excessive narrow specialization while still allowing meaningful depth. The requirement to complete two or three additional elective courses from any module, plus 12 credits of free electives from across the university, ensures that IEPS graduates develop both the specialist expertise and the interdisciplinary perspective that complex real-world challenges demand. This flexibility is one reason why the program attracts students from such diverse undergraduate backgrounds — from humanities and commerce to law, mathematics, and natural sciences.

Faculty and Research Excellence

The quality of any master’s program ultimately depends on its teaching faculty, and IEPS benefits from Charles University’s commitment to recruiting internationally competitive researchers who also bring practical policy experience to the classroom. Faculty members at the Faculty of Social Sciences publish in leading international journals, contribute to policy debates, and maintain active connections with governmental and intergovernmental institutions.

Among the program’s notable associated figures is Tomáš Sedláček, Chief Macroeconomic Strategist at ČSOB (the Czech Republic’s largest bank) and author of the internationally acclaimed “Economics of Good and Evil.” His involvement exemplifies the program’s emphasis on bridging academic theory and real-world application. Alumni like Martin Čihák, who serves as Deputy Division Chief at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., demonstrate the caliber of professionals that IEPS nurtures.

The Faculty of Social Sciences’ research output is substantial for an institution of its size, producing seven international journals — including one impacted economic journal and six peer-reviewed publications covering political economy, politics, area studies, media, public policy, and political science. This publishing infrastructure provides IEPS students with opportunities to contribute to scholarly discourse during their studies, building publication records that strengthen applications for doctoral programs and research positions.

Charles University’s economics research is ranked number one in the Czech Republic and places in the top 76-100 globally according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking) — positioning it alongside Georgetown University, Imperial College London, the University of Bologna, and Peking University. This ranking reflects the faculty’s sustained commitment to research excellence and provides IEPS students with access to a genuinely world-class intellectual environment. Students interested in the broader landscape of programs at this institution can explore the comprehensive Charles University programs guide.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

One of the IEPS program’s most distinctive features is its accessible admission process: there are no entrance examinations and no interviews. Selection is based entirely on applicants’ undergraduate academic performance and demonstrated proficiency in English. This approach reflects the program’s philosophy that motivated students from diverse intellectual backgrounds — not just those who have studied politics or economics — can thrive in a multidisciplinary environment.

Applicants may hold undergraduate degrees in virtually any field, including humanities, commerce, law, mathematics, technical sciences, or natural sciences. While a degree in politics or economics is not required, the program notes that an aptitude for mathematics and statistics is advantageous for students planning to specialize in economics and finance modules. The admissions team evaluates candidates holistically, looking for evidence of sustained intellectual curiosity, strong academic achievement, and the communication skills needed to engage with complex social issues.

The program’s informal aptitude guide captures its ethos succinctly: “If you like reading The Economist, you are a prospective programme applicant.” Beyond academic credentials, IEPS values candidates who demonstrate logical and critical reasoning ability, capacity to assess empirical evidence, flexibility in considering alternative perspectives, and willingness to express ideas clearly in both written and oral formats. These qualities, more than specific disciplinary training, predict success in the program’s demanding multidisciplinary curriculum.

Application materials are submitted through the Faculty of Social Sciences admissions portal. Prospective students should prepare academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and a completed application form. The straightforward process — combined with the absence of standardized testing requirements — removes barriers that often discourage talented students from non-traditional backgrounds, contributing to the remarkably diverse classroom that defines the IEPS experience.

Tuition Fees, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

The IEPS program charges a standard tuition of EUR 3,000 per semester, with a significantly reduced rate of EUR 300 per semester during the closing stages of study. This pricing structure makes the program considerably more affordable than comparable master’s degrees at universities in Western Europe or the United Kingdom, where annual fees frequently exceed EUR 10,000-20,000 for international students.

The program’s scholarship provisions add substantial financial appeal. The top 20% of IEPS students receive academic excellence scholarships ranging from EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,000 per semester — effectively reducing or eliminating net tuition costs for the strongest performers. Additional scholarships and bursary funding are available through the Faculty of Social Sciences scholarship programs, and alumni testimonials report successfully obtaining both Czech and host-country scholarships during exchange semesters.

When combined with Prague’s affordable cost of living — monthly expenses typically range from EUR 500 to EUR 800 for rent, food, transportation, and entertainment — the total investment for an IEPS master’s degree compares favorably with virtually any equivalent program in Europe. Students from outside the EU should factor in visa costs and health insurance, but even with these additions, the program represents outstanding value relative to the quality of education and career outcomes it delivers.

Tuition covers not only instructional costs but also access to examination facilities and the opportunity to participate in international student exchanges — a benefit that many programs charge separately. For budget-conscious students who recognize that the quality of a master’s degree depends on intellectual content rather than institutional price tags, IEPS offers a genuinely compelling proposition that combines world-class rankings with responsible pricing.

International Exchange and Study Abroad

Study abroad is not merely an option within the IEPS program — it is a defining feature. The majority of IEPS students spend at least one semester at a partner university through ERASMUS+ or CEEPUS exchange programs, gaining international experience that enriches their academic perspective and strengthens their professional networks. Exchange destinations span EU countries, the United States, Australia, South Korea, China, and many other nations.

The Faculty of Social Sciences’ International Office coordinates all mobility arrangements, helping students identify suitable host institutions, navigate application processes, and ensure credit transfer. Alumni testimonials highlight exchange experiences at institutions as diverse as City University of Hong Kong — where students received both scholarships and tuition fee waivers — and universities in Seoul specializing in international politics. These exchanges allow IEPS students to develop regional expertise that complements their Prague-based studies.

The exchange program’s value extends beyond academic credit. Students who study abroad develop cross-cultural communication skills, adaptability, and professional networks that span multiple countries — qualities that employers in international organizations, multinational corporations, and diplomatic services specifically seek. The IEPS program’s design explicitly encourages this mobility, recognizing that understanding global political and economic dynamics requires exposure to multiple national contexts and institutional cultures.

For students who prefer to broaden their perspective without leaving Prague, the university itself provides abundant international exposure. Charles University hosts 9,000 foreign students across its 17 faculties, and the IEPS classroom’s multinational composition ensures that diverse perspectives inform every seminar discussion and group project. This built-in internationalism — combined with formal exchange opportunities — creates a genuinely global educational experience rooted in one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.

Student Life in Prague at Charles University

Prague consistently ranks among Europe’s most attractive student cities, and for good reason. The Czech capital combines a thousand years of architectural history, a thriving arts and music scene, world-class cuisine, and vibrant nightlife with a cost of living that allows students to enjoy urban life without financial stress. The Faculty of Social Sciences’ location on Smetanovo nábřeží — overlooking the Vltava River, within walking distance of Prague Castle and Petřín Hill — places IEPS students at the cultural and geographic heart of this extraordinary city.

The Charles University International Club organizes social and cultural events, parties, trips around Prague and the Czech Republic, and provides assistance during Orientation Week. These activities help international students integrate quickly into the university community and develop friendships across nationalities and disciplines. The university’s sports facilities, student associations, and cultural organizations offer additional avenues for engagement beyond academic work.

Prague’s central European location makes it an ideal base for travel. Weekend trips to Vienna, Berlin, Budapest, Munich, Krakow, and Bratislava are easy and affordable, allowing IEPS students to experience multiple European cultural contexts during their studies. The city’s growing expatriate community and international business presence also create networking opportunities that extend beyond the university, connecting students with professionals in finance, technology, media, and international affairs.

The campus atmosphere at the Faculty of Social Sciences reflects what the program describes as a “family-size” environment — small enough for genuine interaction between students and faculty, yet dynamic and interdisciplinary enough to foster the intellectual stimulation that ambitious graduate students seek. Alumni consistently praise this intimate academic culture as one of the program’s greatest strengths, noting that close relationships with professors and classmates frequently evolve into lasting professional networks. Students interested in comparing the Prague experience with other European university cities can explore how programs like those at KU Leuven in Belgium offer their own distinctive campus environments.

Career Outcomes for IEPS Graduates

IEPS graduates pursue remarkably diverse career paths that reflect the program’s multidisciplinary nature and its students’ varied specialization choices. Those who concentrate on economics and finance enter international commercial and investment banking, insurance, consulting, and business management — sectors that value the analytical skills and global perspective that the IEPS curriculum develops.

Graduates who specialize in political science and international relations find positions in governmental institutions, diplomacy, public administration, non-governmental organizations, education, public relations, and media. The program’s emphasis on critical analysis, empirical reasoning, and cross-cultural communication equips these alumni to navigate the complex institutional landscapes of national governments, EU bodies, and international organizations with confidence and competence.

Notable career trajectories illustrate the program’s professional impact. Alumni hold positions at the International Monetary Fund, major European banks, innovative technology companies in the United States, the global energy industry, and public policy consultancies across Asia. A significant number of graduates continue to doctoral programs at leading universities worldwide, building on the research skills and intellectual curiosity that the IEPS curriculum cultivates.

The combination of a degree from Central Europe’s most prestigious university, practical policy experience gained through the program’s hands-on Problem Based Learning approach, and the international networks built through exchange semesters and a multicultural classroom gives IEPS graduates a competitive edge in an increasingly globalized job market. Employers recognize that professionals who can analyze complex issues through economic, political, and humanistic lenses simultaneously — rather than through a single disciplinary perspective — bring unique value to organizations operating in uncertain and rapidly evolving environments.