Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts, 240 cr

Upon completion of the Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts, students will be awarded either a scientific doctoral degree (Doctor of Social Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy) or an artistic doctoral degree (Doctor of Arts in Theatre and Drama).

The doctoral programme provides students who complete the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences or Doctor of Philosophy with an in-depth understanding of journalism, media, gaming, communications, visual culture, audio or the performing arts as well as related research perspectives, their impact on the broader society and technological advancements, and their relationships to the evolving practices of communication and performance.

Students who complete the degree of Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) will develop an in-depth understanding of artistic work, or a part thereof, which is carried out through the art of acting in the performing arts scene. The required level of knowledge can be achieved by exploring methods based on artistic practices, engaging in artistic activity and employing different artistic approaches with a strong societal, theoretical or philosophical dimension. The goal is to produce new professionals and operational methods in the field of performing arts in interaction with the broader society and its changing structures and thereby promote the impact and importance of the performing arts in Finland and beyond.

While working towards your doctoral degree, you will gain broad knowledge of your field of research and its societal significance and learn to apply the methods of scientific research independently and critically and utilise your expertise as a member of research groups and networks. You will develop research expertise in journalism, media, gaming, communications, visual culture, audio or the performing arts and be well-prepared to pursue an academic or specialist career in these fields. You will have the knowledge and skills to engage in independent and creative thinking in your own field of research and the ability to disseminate scientific knowledge and interact with the international scientific community. In addition, you will be familiar with the methods of collecting research data, the principles of research ethics, the latest research and national and international trends in your field, as well as with teaching and instructional practices.

The doctoral programme is aligned with Tampere University’s strategy, which places an emphasis on research that explores topical social phenomena and on fostering multidisciplinary research. The themes highlighted in the strategy include the future of well-being, sustainable cities, gamification and extended reality, and the revolution of light and image.

Doctor of Social Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Arts in Theatre and Drama

Research areas of the Doctoral Programme in Media and Communication and Performing Arts:

Sociological fields

Journalism: research on journalistic work; journalism as a profession; the role of journalism in society; visual journalism; public participation; digitalisation.

Media studies: the role of media in society; critical technology research, media and the economy of emotions; audio research; research in visual cultures; media theory; media education.

Game studies: research on gamers, gaming experiences, game cultures and game production from critical and societal perspectives; game analysis.

Humanistic field

Communication studies: workplace communication; communicating about health and well-being; digital interaction; political communication.

Artistic field

Performing arts: artistic and scientific research in the performing arts (Doctor of Arts in Theatre and Drama, Doctor of Philosophy). 

Students will have the option to earn a licentiate degree as an intermediate step towards the doctoral degree.

Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree consists of doctoral studies (40 credits) and a doctoral dissertation (200 credits).

Doctoral studies include courses that develop students’ general academic competences (min. 10 credits) and explore discipline- and field-specific content (min. 25 credit).

1. General Academic Competences (min. 10 credits)

- research skills

- scientific expertise

- communication skills

- pedagogical skills

Mandatory: research ethics (3-5 credits)

2. Discipline- and field-specific studies (min. 25 credits)

- competencies relating to a specific field of research

- competencies relating to a specific discipline

Mandatory: multidisciplinary research seminar (5 credits).

Doctoral dissertation (200 credits)

You will agree on other units of study counted towards your degree while drawing up your study and supervisory plan together with your supervisors. The number of credits awarded for different units of study is defined in a separate document.

Learn more:

Doctoral dissertation

Planning doctoral studies (personal study plan)

Gaining credit points in doctoral studies