The Doctoral Programme in Communication, Media and Theatre trains specialists, experts and researchers in mass communication and journalism, music studies, speech communication, theatre and drama research as well as theatre work. The fields are connected by the research of reality and constructing performances of said reality, a social aspect, the public nature of the professions and a concrete dimension of skill.

The goal of the education is to link theoretical ambition and practice-based research with each other in new ways and to strive for creating dialogues between the different subjects at the Faculty. The postgraduate education is implemented in interaction with basic research and research activities. After completing the doctoral studies, the students can act as an expert with the ability to reform practices in their own field both in the University and elsewhere in working life.

Learning Outcomes

The goal of the scientific and artistic doctoral education offered by the Doctoral Programme in Communication, Media and Theatre is that after completing their studies, the doctoral students have gained a broad-based understanding of the research approaches to communications, media and theatre, as well as their relationships with the different and changing practices of communication and performance.

During the doctoral studies, the students become thoroughly familiar with their field of research and its development, basic problems, research methods and importance to society. In addition, they gain the ability to apply the methods of scientific or artistic research independently and critically and create new information via scientific or artistic activity. An additional goal of artistic doctoral education is that the students gain the ability to develop new kinds of methods or operating models of artistic creation independently.

During studies that lead to the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy, the doctoral students familiarise themselves in depth in their own field of research and its social significance, and learn to apply the methods of scientific research independently and critically and utilise their competence in research groups and networks. The students gain an understanding of the research of communications and media that enables them to act as experts in the field both in the University and outside it. They are capable of independent and creative thinking in their own field of research, are able to disseminate research information and have the skills to act in the international scientific community. In addition, the students have familiarised themselves with the methods of acquiring information and research ethics, the latest research in their own field of research, Finnish and international discussions, as well as the teaching and supervision practices in the field.

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.

Study Planning and Guidance

Each postgraduate student must draw up a written study and supervision plan together with his or her supervisors. The plan must specify the name of the main supervisor and the duties and responsibilities of the supervisors and the student. The plan must include the postgraduate student's preliminary schedule as well as the supervision practices applied. The purpose of supervision is to support and train the student in independent scientific or artistic work and to develop the student's professional skills and career prospectives. In addition, the plan must include a personal study plan that describes how the postgraduate student intends to fulfil his or her degree requirements. The School recommends that the study and supervision plan be updated once a year. It is especially important to update the section on the progression of the student's work. In this connection, so-called "passive" postgraduate students may decide to give up their right to study. (For further information see Supervision.)

Progressing in your Studies

In the School of Communication, Media and Theatre, a total of 240 ECTS are required for a doctoral degree. A doctoral dissertation accounts for 180 ECTS, and other studies for 60 ECTS of the degree.

The other studies included in the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences and Philosophy 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 (20 ECTS).

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.

The licentiate’s degree consists of approximately 2.5 years/150 ECTS, of which the share of the licentiate thesis as a part of the dissertation is 90 ECTS.

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

The postgrtudies studies include 10 credits of studies promoting internationalisation and networking (CMTJ3). The postgraduate student and his or her supervisor must agree on how the student takes the studies promoting internationalisation and networking. Credits can be given for giving a presentation in an international conference, for example, or participating in the organisation of a conference, attending a summer school, taking postgraduate studies abroad or serving as part of the editorial staff of a scientific journal. Other elements may also be included as agreed with the supervisor.

Postgraduate studies may be arranged in cooperation with a university outside Finland. In these cases, the University of Tampere and the other university will draw up a joint degree agreement (a so-called cotutelle de thése agreement). The University's rules, regulations and agreements must be followed even when pursuing a joint degree.

Responsible Conduct of Research

More information can be found at the Study Guide.

Related Courses:

• TAYJ12 Research Ethics 1–10 ECTS