Social Sciences

In the 2022/2023 academic year a new Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences was opened for admission in the Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme offers seven specialties to choose from:

• Economics 
• Business administration 
• Sociology 
• Media and communication 
• Psychology 
• Political science
• Law 

In the speciality of economics (coordinated by the School of Economics and Business Administration), the purpose of doctoral studies is to prepare leading specialists and analysts for state institutions, banks, international organizations and consulting firms who are proficient in economic theoretical models and econometric methods for analyzing and forecasting economic problems. The areas of research are, for example, the dynamics of economic growth and inflation, stabilization and structural policy, the functioning of the labor market, the livelihood of households, innovation in the public sector, policy impact assessment, the use of big data in the assessment of the economic situation, the role of culture in the economy.

The speciality of business management (coordinated by the School of Economics and Business Administration) enables the development of skills that can be applied in research and teaching, company management and business policy design, in the strategic management of companies, personnel management, innovation management, starting a business and the internationalization of companies, as well as in other areas of business management.

The specialty of sociology (coordinated by the Institute of Social Studies) allows you to devote yourself to research in different areas of sociology (for example, sustainability, generations, family, childhood, media, military sociology) and in interdisciplinary areas related to sociology, and to study various current problems in today's rapidly changing and data-driven society.

The specialty of media and communication (coordinated by the Institute of Social Studies) enables you to explore topics related to media studies, journalism, communications and critical data studies. One can also carry out research on interdisciplinary topics related to the societal transformations happening in the media-and technology rich societies.

In the speciality of psychology (coordinated by the Institute of Psychology), it is possible to do research in many areas of psychology, such as developmental and school psychology, cognitive psychology, personality and social psychology, health, well-being and psychopathology, sports and performance psychology, etc. To conduct research, the institute has several technical tools, such as EEG, TMS, eye movement monitoring equipment, observation laboratory.

In the field of political science (coordinated by the Johan Skytte Institute for Political Studies), it is possible to devote oneself to research in the field of comparative political science, international relations or political theory. It is also possible to deal with regional studies (especially the Baltic States, Russia and Eastern Europe, the European Union) or the topics of e-government and e-democracy.

The specialty of law (coordinated by the School of Law) offers opportunities to study in depth the connections and differences between legal systems and traditions, fundamental theoretical and practical problems of legal fields, and development trends. The doctoral degree allows you to participate in a scientific discussion about the current problems of law and their solution options in Estonia and internationally.