Degree of Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama), 240 cr

During the studies leading to a degree of Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama), the doctoral students gain an in-depth understanding of the artistic work of an actor carried out in different kinds of operating environments, an aspect of this work, or university level education in it. This understanding can be gained via methods arising from different kinds of artistic practices and artistic activity, as well as approaches with social, theoretical or philosophical emphasis that open them up.

During doctoral studies, the students become thoroughly familiar with their field of research, develop the methods of artistic research independently and critically and apply their competence in working groups. The students gain knowledge of the artistic work of an actor or its pedagogy that enables them to act as experts in the field, both in different professions in the theatre arts, educational institutions providing instruction in them, as well as more extensively in tasks in society. They are able to think independently and critically in their field of research, disseminate information born out of artistic research and act in the international communities in the field. In addition, the students will familiarise themselves with current methods for acquiring information, research ethics, the most recent studies in their chosen discipline, national and international phenomena involving the development in the discipline, and current teaching and supervision practices.

The total extent of the degree of Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) is 240 ECTS, which consists of an artistic dissertation and other studies. The share of the artistic dissertation is 180 ECTS; the ratio between the artistic and practical sections and the reflective – written or multimedial – section can vary between 80–100 ECTS. The artistic and practical sections undergo a pre-examination while they are being realised.

The extent of the other studies is 60 ECTS. The other studies included in the degree of Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) consist of a research seminar (10 ECTS), theoretical and methodological studies (10 ECTS), studies promoting internationalisation and networking (10 ECTS) as well as studies promoting knowledge of the student's own discipline and research area (30 ECTS).

The studies can consist of courses on artistic research arranged by the Doctoral School of the University of Tampere or the University of the Arts Helsinki, or courses or seminars arranged by the School’s own doctoral programme. Studies arranged by other doctoral programmes and other Finnish or foreign universities can also be included in them. The doctoral degree can also be organised in cooperation with a foreign university. In that case, an agreement is made between the University of Tampere and the foreign university, based on which the joint degree can be completed.