Apply to doctoral studies in music

Published 15.11.2019 | Updated 2.10.2026

General instructions

The scope of the doctoral degree is 240 ECTS credits, corresponding to four years of full-time study.

Doctor of Music degree and study programme

The Doctor of Music degree is either an artistic or scientific third-cycle degree and is completed in one of the following three study programmes:

• In the Arts Study Programme, the primary focus of the studies is on independent and thematically coherent artistic and research work combined with supplementary studies.
• In the Research Study Programme, the primary focus of studies is on scientific research and supplementary studies that strengthen research competence.
• In the Applied Study Programme, the primary focus is on becoming a specialist through carrying out a development project that builds the specialist knowledge and skills in a particular topic within the music field and the development work related to this topic. An applied study programme degree may be either research-orientated or artistic.

Explore ongoing doctoral projects at the Sibelius Academy on the Future Doctors in Music blog.

Arts Study Programme

In the Arts Study Programme, the doctoral researcher’s primary focus is to carry out independent and thematically coherent artistic and research work and complete supplementary doctoral studies, leading to a doctoral thesis.

The specific objectives of the Arts Study Programme are to help the doctoral researcher acquire

• the ability to achieve artistically high-level and visionary expression,
• the ability to achieve conceptually clear production of information,
• the ability to produce new knowledge through methods of art and research,
• the ability to engage in constructive interaction in the arts community, in academic communities and in society at large.

In the Arts Study Programme, the doctoral thesis consists of two to three components, of which at least one is a peer-reviewed article or a written monograph, while other components are pre-examined artistic components. In addition, the doctoral thesis must include a written overview summarising the project as a whole, authored independently by the doctoral researcher.

The artistic components may be concerts, compositions, artistic productions, liturgies, recordings, online materials or videos, for example. All artistic components are recorded. The doctoral programme is responsible for recording the artistic component.

The written summary is a separate report that includes the objectives, framework, purposes of the artistic components and the article, and their interconnections within the doctoral thesis as a whole, as well as the results and a discussion of the significance of the findings. An alternative to a peer-reviewed article and a written summary is a monograph to be submitted for pre-examination, which also incorporates the elements normally included in the summary. A peer-reviewed article and a written summary, or an equivalent monograph, together with the artistic components, form a research-based whole. Written components may be multimedia. Doctoral studies included in the degree support the doctoral thesis and its process, as well as the doctoral researcher’s artistic, research-related and other development. The doctoral studies are agreed with the coordinating supervisor so that they fulfil the intended learning outcomes set for the degree.

Research Study Programme

In the Research Study Programme, the doctoral researcher’s primary focus is to carry out academic research and to carry out supplementary doctoral studies that strengthen their research competence. In the Research Study Programme, the doctoral thesis takes the form of a doctoral dissertation, which is examined by an opponent or opponents in a public examination.

The specific objectives of the Research Study Programme are to help the doctoral researcher acquire

• the ability to produce high-quality information,
• the ability to interact in academic communities and beyond
• the ability to integrate into the international research community, as well as
• the ability to strengthen the status of academic research.

For the Research Study Programme, the dissertation is a coherent presentation containing new research knowledge which is based on the doctoral researcher’s own independent research in a field of research represented at the Sibelius Academy. The dissertation can be accepted as either a monograph or an article-based dissertation.

A monograph-form doctoral dissertation is a single-language work written solely by the doctoral researcher and published as a single, coherent work.

An article-based doctoral dissertation consists of two to three articles exploring the same set of research questions, which have been published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed academic publication series. The doctoral researcher must be the principal author of the articles, and their independent contribution must be demonstrable. The doctoral researcher must provide a written account of their contribution to any co-authored publications when submitting the doctoral thesis for pre-examination. The number of articles depends on the nature of the research project, the substantive significance of the articles and the amount of work required to prepare them. An article-based doctoral thesis also includes a summary written independently by the doctoral researcher, presenting the objectives, research problem, methodology and results of the research project. The doctoral studies included in the degree support the doctoral thesis and the thesis process as well as the doctoral researcher’s research-related, artistic or other development. The doctoral studies are agreed with the coordinating supervisor so that they fulfil the intended learning outcomes set for the degree.

Applied Study Programme

The aim of the Applied Study Programme is to develop music-related practices, operating models, methods, computer programs, innovations, applications, tools or other comparable outputs that can be shared with others. Development is carried out using research-based and/or artistic research methods, and the object of development is tested as part of the doctoral thesis. The starting point for development is usually the doctoral researcher’s own experience and interests, as well as the needs of the changing environments in the music sector. The degree may be either research-oriented or artistic.

The doctoral researcher aims to acquire

• a combination of high-level research-related, methodological, pedagogical, artistic or technical competencies,
• the ability to develop high-level new methods, competencies, materials and tools,
• the ability to collect, produce, critically evaluate and apply knowledge,
• the ability to collaborate with national and international stakeholders both within their own field and across disciplines, and
• the ability to communicate the results of their work to different audiences.

The substantive core of the degree is the development object, consisting of new and tested materials, methods, applications and practices. The development work, together with its testing and assessment, is described in the written component. In the Applied Study Programme, the written component for a research-oriented degree is referred to as a doctoral dissertation.

A doctoral thesis completed in the Applied Study Programme consists of:

• the development object and the outputs of the development work, which may include, for example:
  • a model or method, computer program, website, score material, teaching material, research article, critical edition or transcription (for an artistic and a research-oriented degree) or
  • a concert, recording, lecture recital or comparable output (for an artistic degree)
• a written description of the theoretical foundations, context and stages of the development work, as well as the testing and evaluation of the development object.

The doctoral studies included in the degree support the doctoral thesis, the thesis process and skills in applying and developing knowledge as well as the doctoral researcher’s research-related, artistic or other development. The doctoral studies are agreed with the coordinating supervisor so that they fulfil the intended learning outcomes set for the degree.

Research or Applied Study Programme?

Scientific research focusing on practice and projects undertaken within applied doctoral education share many common features. Both may focus on developing practice, employ scientific research methods, and include interventions or pedagogical experiments. However, their starting points and primary aims are different.

Action research is an approach to scientific research. In action research and closely related practice-based research approaches, such as practitioner inquiry, practice and its development are systematically examined through research data and selected research methods, while the practice is developed in connection with or as part of the research. In accordance with the principles of scientific research, its primary aim is to produce scientific knowledge that addresses the research questions. The research findings are reported and published in accordance with established scientific research practices, either as peer-reviewed articles or as a monograph. The intention or possibility of subsequently applying the findings of scientific research in practice does not make the research project a development project in applied doctoral studies.

Applied doctoral studies at the Sibelius Academy are based on an identified need for development and a development project addressing that need. The development work results in a development target that can be, for example, a pedagogical practice, teaching method, material, operating model, technology or technological application, or another outcome relevant to professional practice in the field of music. In an applied doctoral project, artistic or scientific research and the methods employed support this process of development and production. Research alone, and the possibility of subsequently applying its findings, are therefore not sufficient to constitute a development project in applied doctoral studies. The project plan should describe the starting points, aims, context of the development work and the artistic or scientific reearch methods; how the development process will proceed; the outcomes or practices to be developed; how they will be tested and evaluated; and what kinds of knowledge and expertise the process will generate.

Guidelines for applicants

If the plan centres on research questions and answering them through systematically generated and analysed data, it is primarily scientific research, even if it employs action research and contributes to the development of the field or practice.

If the plan centres on an identified need and aim for development, an outcome or practice to be created through the development process, and its testing and evaluation, it is primarily a development project in applied doctoral studies.

Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the doctoral degrees completed and in progress at the Sibelius Academy, especially in the corresponding applied study programme.

Written works/theses and degrees completed in the field of applied studies

Admission criteria

Eligibility

An applicant can be deemed eligible to apply after the application period if they have the required educational background, have provided the required proof of their language proficiency and have submitted the application with all the required appendices by the deadline. The eligible applications will be evaluated, and based on this review, some of the applicants will be invited to participate in the next stage of the admissions procedure (interview).

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the eligibility assessment by email no later than week 6. Please also check your spam or junk mail folder.

A person can be granted the right to study for a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki only on the basis of student admissions. 

Educational background

An applicant can be admitted to doctoral studies when they have completed one of the following: 

• a relevant master’s degree awarded by a university; 
• a relevant master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences; or 
• a relevant applicable study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for the corresponding level of higher education. 

An applicant can be admitted as a doctoral researcher also when the university deems that they have otherwise acquired sufficient knowledge and skills required for the studies. The university may require a student admitted to pursue a doctoral degree to complete the necessary supplementary studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the programme (Universities Act 24.7.2009/558, section 37). 

The foreign institution awarding the degree must be an officially recognised higher education institution in the country in question, recognised by the relevant national licensing authority and authorised to award degrees. 

Eligibility for doctoral education will be determined on the basis of the documents provided as appendices to your application. 

You must attach copies of the education documents related to the degree that serves as the basis for your eligibility for doctoral studies. 

You must verify your language skills as required by Uniarts Helsinki (see the section on Language skill requirements). 
 
If your certificates are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, please provide an official translation into one of these languages (either a translation by an authorised translator or an official certificate supplement issued by the higher education institution, such as a Diploma Supplement). Self-made or other unofficial translations are not accepted. 

If you are a refugee or in a refugee-like situation and unable to verify your degree with a document, you may still be deemed eligible to apply. Read more detailed instructions on our website. 

If the degree that qualifies you for doctoral education has not yet been completed, you must provide a statement by the administrative staff of your degree programme confirming that all studies included in the degree, including the thesis, will be successfully completed by the deadline of 31 July 2027. Applicants who receive a certificate for one of the above-mentioned degrees during the application spring are considered conditionally eligible at the application stage if their eligibility has not been established by other means.

Language skill requirements

Doctoral education requires sufficient proficiency in Finnish, Swedish, or English. To prove your language proficiency by the end of the application period, you must either have specific prior studies or a certificate of a successfully completed language test.

You must demonstrate your language proficiency in accordance with language skills requirement B. You can do so in one of the following ways:

• English language proficiency
• Finnish language proficiency
• Swedish language proficiency

Admission criteria

The assessment of eligible applicants is based on the common admissions criteria of Uniarts Helsinki (numbered below) as well as the following elaborations concerning the Sibelius Academy:  

1. The artistic and research quality and originality of the research plan 

• The research plan is clear and coherent. 
• The research plan demonstrates what new knowledge, understanding or other research-based contribution the project may generate for the field.  
• The research aim, research purpose and research questions are clear, well justified and mutually consistent. 
• The research purpose, theoretical perspectives and methodological choices are appropriate to the research aim and questions and form a coherent whole.
• The research plan demonstrates familiarity with key previous research and positions the doctoral thesis appropriately in relation to existing research. 

2. Suitability of the proposed doctoral thesis to the artistic and research environment of the Sibelius Academy 

• The research topic is relevant and aligns with the profile of the Sibelius Academy. 
• The Sibelius Academy can provide supervision in the area of the proposed doctoral thesis. 

3. Feasibility of the research plan within the recommended duration of studies and in the context of the Sibelius Academy  

• The scope of the research, data, methods, timetable and available resources form a realistic whole within the framework of a doctoral degree. 

4. The applicant’s motivation, research competence and ability to work independently and complete a doctoral degree 

5. The significance of the research plan and its potential to strengthen art and research both within its own fields and as part of society 

• Ability to engage constructively with different artistic and research communities and with wider society 
• The research-related, artistic and/or societal significance of the research topic is well justified.

6. The ethical, social and ecological sustainability of the research plan 

• The plan identifies the key ethical issues related to the research and describes the implementation of the research transparently.
• Possible use of artificial intelligence is mentioned and described appropriately. 

7. The applicant’s artistic or research merits/competence 

• Arts Study Programme: The high-level quality and visionary approach of the applicant’s artistic expression 

Application period and filling in the application form

The application period starts on 7 January 2027 at 8.00 (local Finnish time, UTC+2). The online application must be compiled according to the application instructions and submitted by the application deadline, which is 21 January 2027 at 23.59 (local Finnish time, UTC+2). The application is submitted online via the Studyinfo service. The application form will be published on January 7, 2027.

The application must include the online application form that is filled in on the Studyinfo portal, as well as appendices to the application in electronic format. All appendices must be submitted via the Studyinfo service by the application deadline.

The application can be written in Finnish, Swedish or English.

Applications and appendices can only be submitted via the Studyinfo service.

We only review materials that have been uploaded to Studyinfo. Applications or parts of an application that are sent by post, couriered, delivered in person or sent by email will not be taken into consideration.

Once you have submitted your application form, you will receive a confirmation email for your application.

Please remember to reserve enough time for the process and for uploading the application and the appendices, as the application deadline is definite. Uploading large files can take several hours.

Applications that do not comply with the instructions or are incomplete will not be considered.

If you have used artificial intelligence to produce your application, describe on the application form which tools you used and for what purpose. Read the Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and procedures for handling alleged violations issued by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK as well as its recommendation on the responsible use of AI. Also read Uniarts Helsinki’s ethical guidelines concerning education and studies and keep them in mind when compiling your application.
 
Privacy notice for prospective students | Uniarts Helsinki)

Schedule  

Note: All times are given in UTC+2 

• Applicants can contact representatives of the supervisor pool between 15 October and 15 December 2026.  
• The application period starts on 7 January and ends on 21 January 2027 at 15:00.   
• Interviews will be held between 15 March and 2 April 2027. See the study programme-specific dates below. Invitations to interviews are sent at least two weeks before the interview.
• Admissions results are announced to applicants on 5 May 2027.  
• Possible requests for rectification must be submitted between 5 May and 19 May 2027.
• The offer of admission must be accepted by 31 May 2027. 
• Applicants who receive a conditional offer of admission must submit the required certificates by 31 July 2027.

Applicant interviews for the Arts Study Programme

• Applicant interviews for Music Technology will be held on 22–23 March 2027.
• Applicant interviews for Classical Music and Church Music will be held on 18–19 March 2027.
• Applicant interviews for Composition will be held on 15 March 2027.
• Applicant interviews for Folk Music will be held on 16 March 2027.
• Applicant interviews for Jazz will be held on 23 March 2027.
• Applicant interviews for Global Music will be held on 15 March 2027.

Applicant interviews for the Research Study Programme

• Applicant interviews for the Research Study Programme will be held between 15 March and 2 April 2027.

Applicant interviews for the Applied Study Programme

• Applicant interviews for the Applied Study Programme will be held between 22 and 24 March 2027.

Application attachments

Start uploading the application appendices and submit them in good time before the deadline. Reserve enough time for sending the appendices so that they are delivered on time before the deadline. It may take a long time to send the file if the file size is large, there are multiple files to send or if the internet connection is slow.

Name all your files in accordance with the following instructions before submission: lastname-firstname-nameofthefile (for example, applicant-anna-videorecording.mp4). When naming files, you can only use letters a-z, numbers 0-9 and the hyphen -.

The maximum size for files submitted to the Studyinfo service is 1 GB. See the more detailed instructions for preparing appendices below.

The studyinfo service accepts the following audio, video, document and image formats:

• Audio – the recommended format is mp3 (however, the following formats are also accepted: m4a, aiff, wma, wav, aac)
• Video – the recommended format is mp4 (however, the following formats are also accepted: mpeg, mpg, mov, avi, wmv, m4v, qt)
• Documents – all text files are submitted in PDF format.
• Images – jpeg, png, gif, jpg

The application must include the following attachments that are submitted electronically via the Studyinfo service: 

Research plan

Arts Study Programme

The doctoral research plan gives an overview of the applicant’s doctoral thesis by outlining its components and how the project can be carried out. The length of the plan may not exceed 15,000 characters with spaces included (the list of references is not counted towards the character limit).

The plan must contain the following information:

• A statement of the project’s aims and background (state of the art)
• Research questions and objectives
• Research framework and methodology. Please describe planned contents of the artistic and research components in detail (types of artistic events including programme outlines and details, and types of writing including a description of topics, structure, and potential publishing platforms for articles). Please also describe the interrelation between these components.
• Practical and conceptual outcomes (concrete outcomes/publications; ideas achieved); and an assessment of their significance for one’s own field and for society at large
• Risk assessment (foreseen risks and alternative plans)
• An outline of the supporting studies worth 40 ECTS credits in total (courses or subject matters). Explore the current course offerings for the academic year 2026–2027 here: Study Guide.
• The planned schedule for the doctoral studies
• List of references used in the doctoral degree plan
• Number of characters with spaces included (excluding the list of references)

Research Study Programme

The doctoral research plan outlines the basis and objectives of the research project, earlier research related to the project, and the topics and research methods of the project. The length of the plan may not exceed 20,000 characters with spaces included. The list of references is not counted towards the character limit. See the in­struc­tions for the re­search plan au­thor.

Applied Study Programme

The research plan is the most important document of your application, so please put time and effort into compiling it. The length of the research plan depends on whether or not you will submit a portfolio. If you submit a portfolio as part of your application, your research plan may be a maximum of 15,000 characters in length (including spaces, excluding the list of references). If you don’t submit a portfolio as part of your application, your research plan may be a maximum of 20,000 characters in length (including spaces, excluding the list of references). The research plan is submitted as a single PDF file. 

Compile your research plan using the following structure: 

• Object of development 
  • The object of the development work, the need for it and the rationale behind it 
  • The topic, significance and aim of the development work 
  • Contextualisation of the topic: previous research, scope of the research, perspective and key theoretical premises and concepts 
  • Problem formulation 
• Methods, data and stages of the development work 
  • Main features of the artistic/research activities and the development work  
  • Testing related to the object of development 
  • Schedule, contributors and environment 
  • Ethical principles of the project 
• Description of the outputs of the doctoral thesis and the overall body of work they form 
• Significance and impact of the research 
• List of references (only sources cited in the text) 

Research plan abstract

The abstract must not exceed 2,000 characters, and it must be submitted as a single PDF file. The purpose of the research plan abstract is to provide the reader with a concise yet informative overview of the planned doctoral thesis. The abstract should describe the background, objectives, research questions, data and methods, as well as the expected research significance and impact of the doctoral thesis.

The abstract should justify the timeliness and relevance of the research in relation to existing research knowledge and highlight the key value of the upcoming research. It should also demonstrate that the research setting, data and methods form a well-founded and feasible whole in relation to the research questions.

The text should be clear, concise and academically grounded. It is recommended that the abstract be written in a way that enables researchers outside the specific field to gain an understanding of the research objectives, implementation and expected academic contribution.

Motivation letter

The motivation letter must not be longer than one (1) page, and it must be submitted as a single PDF file.

The purpose of the motivation letter is to describe the applicant’s motivation, preparedness and goals in relation to doctoral studies. The letter should explain why the applicant is seeking doctoral education, why the research topic is meaningful to them and how a doctoral degree supports their career plans.

The letter should briefly describe previous education, research experience or work experience, as well as the skills and experience that support the implementation of the research and the completion of doctoral studies. In addition, the applicant should demonstrate their commitment to long-term research work and outline their goals as a researcher, expert or developer in their field.

The motivation letter should be a personal, clear and well-reasoned statement that provides the evaluators with an understanding of the applicant’s suitability and motivation for doctoral studies.

CV

The curriculum vitae must comply with the template provided by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae. The CV should present any previous activities that the applicant considers supportive of their prospective doctoral studies. The CV must not be longer than two (2) pages. The CV is submitted as a single PDF file.

Portfolio 

Arts Study Programme

The portfolio lists appropriate samples from the applicant’s artistic activities related to the doctoral thesis. These include, for example: (a) video and audio recordings of performances, (b) a selection of scores (4–6 pieces) with sound recordings, (c) audio material (3–5 samples) with scores or equivalent documentation of the performance of the composition or (d) combinations thereof. Read separate instructions for compiling a portfolio.

Recording for the Arts Study Programme 

You are asked to submit an audiovisual recording, specifically recorded for the purpose of your application. We ask you to make a recording of your chosen programme (15 minutes) described in your portfolio. 

The recording must be made between 1 October 2026 and 21 January 2027 and uploaded to your application before the application deadline. In the recording, we ask you to perform the programme uninterrupted, as it would be in a live audition. Please do not repurpose existing recordings. 

General instructions 

The recording must be submitted online through the Studyinfo website by the given deadline. Physical copies or files submitted via e-mail will not be accepted. If you submit a recording that does not conform to the given instructions, your submission will unfortunately be disqualified. Please check the functionality of your file before uploading it. For general guidelines, see the Application attachments section.  

Instructions for video recording 

The video is submitted via the Studyinfo as a video file or alternatively as a PDF document that contains a YouTube or Vimeo link to a private or public video. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that the link works. The applicants are asked to keep the material available online at least until 31 December 2027. 

Video submitted as a link 

• Save the video as a private or public video on a platform such as YouTube or Vimeo. 
• Copy the link into a separate PDF document and attach the PDF to your application. 

Video submitted as a file 

• The maximum file size for the video file to be submitted is 1 GB. Please check the file size before submission.
• Recommended recording settings: save the video in MP4 format (H.264) with a resolution of 1280 × 720 and a frame rate of 25 fps or 30 fps.
• If the recorded video file is larger than 1 GB, use a video compression application (for example, the free HandBrake software) to reduce the file size. To protect your privacy, avoid using online video conversion services.
• Recommended compression settings: set the video bitrate to 4–6 Mbps. For the audio track, select AAC encoding, a 48 kHz sample rate, and a 256 kb/s bitrate. If the original audio was recorded at a lower quality, do not increase these settings.

You are not allowed to edit or process the audio or the video of the recording with the exception of trimming unnecessary content at the beginning and end of the video. 

Place the camera at eye level 0.5–1 meters away from the speaker so that the person’s face and upper body can be seen on camera. 

When recording a person playing an instrument or singing, it is recommended to use an external microphone suitable for the instrument in question or a video recorder with a suitable built-in microphone. The optimal placement for the microphone is at a certain distance from the instrument or speaker. Start at 0.5–1 meters distance. A room that echoes may improve the sound of instruments but make it harder to understand speech. Make sure that there is no background noise. Check that the audio and video are synchronised. 

Your video recording will be evaluated only if the admission board has no doubts about the authenticity of your recording and the technical quality of your recording is sufficient for evaluation. The technical quality of the recording does not define the applicant’s success in the admission process if it is sufficient for the assessment of the assignment. 

Research Study Programme

No portfolio is included in the application appendices for the Research Study Programme. 

Applied Study Programme

If your research and development plan is artistically oriented, you must attach an artistic portfolio to your application in accordance with the instructions on this page: Port­fo­lio tem­plate for Sibelius Acad­emy doc­toral ap­pli­cants. In addition, you may use the portfolio to support your application by describing other education and practical experience that relate to or support the field of your development project. You may add any subheadings you consider necessary to the document.  

If your research and development plan is research-oriented, you may submit a portfolio in addition to your CV. You can use it, for example, to describe education related to your area of expertise and practical (pedagogical, technical or other) experience that relate to or support the field of your development project. You may add any subheadings and other sections that you consider relevant to the document. You may use the information on this page, as well as the following guidance page, as a basis for preparing your portfolio where applicable:    

Port­fo­lio tem­plate for Sibelius Acad­emy doc­toral ap­pli­cants

In­struc­tions for com­pil­ing a teach­ing port­fo­lio

Educational certificates

For detailed information, please see the section on Educational Background.

Language certificates

For detailed information, please see the section on Language skills requirements.

Official proof of identity

Please append a copy of a valid passport, EU identity card, or Finnish driving licence to your application. We use identity documents solely to verify the applicant’s identity during the admissions process, for example in connection with a possible interview.

Contacting a supervisor

A principal supervisor is normally assigned to a doctoral researcher at the same time as admission to the doctoral programme. If you wish, you may contact a prospective supervisor between 15 October 2026 and 15 December 2026, before the application period begins. 

Suitable experts from a wide range of fields can be found in the University of the Arts Helsinki Supervisor Pool. Through the CRIS profile linked to each supervisor’s name, you can learn more about their artistic and research activities, publications, and areas of interest. The link to the Supervisor Pool will be published by 15 October 2026.

You may also apply for doctoral studies without identifying a preferred supervisor. The Admissions Committee will discuss supervisory arrangements during the admissions process. The aim is that every new doctoral researcher will have at least one supervisor when beginning their studies. 

If you wish to contact a prospective supervisor, please follow these instructions

Write a concise description of your proposed doctoral research project. The maximum recommended length is 2000 characters. Include the following information in summary form:  

• The core idea or research question of your project. 
• How you intend to address the question. 
• What outcomes you expect from the research. 
• How the research relates to art and/or your artistic practice. 
• Why you wish to pursue doctoral studies specifically at the University of the Arts Helsinki. 
• What resources you expect to need and what resources (for example funding) you already have. 

Write all content directly in the email message. Attachments will not be opened. Send your message between 15 October 2026 and 15 December 2026. 

Do not contact every possible supervisor. Contacting one or two supervisors at a time is sufficient. If you approach more than one supervisor simultaneously, mention this in your message. Please be patient if a response is delayed. A supervisor may also encourage you to contact another supervisor instead. The supervisor may ask you follow-up questions and provide general guidance if needed, but they will not assist with preparing your application. 

Please remember that a prospective supervisor’s preliminary willingness to supervise you does not mean that you have been admitted to the doctoral programme. Final decisions on supervisors are made after admissions decisions have been completed. Conversely, you may apply to the doctoral programme without prior support from a supervisor or without identifying a prospective supervisor. 

The Dean selects new doctoral researchers based on a proposal from a broadly representative Admissions Committee. Decisions are made on the basis of factors including the quality and feasibility of the research plan in relation to the admissions criteria.

Admissions process 

Student admissions are managed by an Admissions Board consisting of professors and researchers from the Academy. External members may also be invited to serve on the Admissions Board.

The admissions take place in two stages. In the first stage, the admissions board selects the applicants to be interviewed based on their applications. In the second stage, the applicants are interviewed. In the interview, the applicants have the opportunity to expand upon their artistic research and artistic practice.

Based on the application and the admissions process:  

1. the applicant is granted the right to study in the degree programme leading to a doctoral degree or  

2. the applicant is not granted the right to study in the degree programme leading to a doctoral degree.   

The chairs of the admissions boards for the Arts Study Programme, Research Study Programme and Applied Study Programme and the vice dean for doctoral education and research convene for a meeting, where the proposals of the admissions boards are gathered and a statement is drafted concerning the applicants to be admitted. The statement is addressed to the division for doctoral education and research. The division for doctoral education and research approves an application based on the statements given on it. After this, the division for doctoral education and research makes a proposal to the dean concerning the admission of the applicant as a doctoral researcher and their placement in the doctoral programme. The dean makes the final decision. 

Admission results

The admissions results will be announced on 5 May 2027 on the Studyinfo service and on the Uniarts Helsinki website as regards the applicants who have given their consent for publishing their names.  

Decision letters will be sent by email to applicants selected as doctoral researchers and to any applicants placed on the waiting list. Please check that the message does not end up in your spam folder. 

Request for rectification

Applicants can apply for rectification of the admission decision from Uniarts Helsinki under section 82 of the Universities Act (558/2009). The purpose of a written request for rectification is to give the applicant the possibility to appeal and request for rectification if there is a reason to believe that there has been an error in the decision-making process. 

The rectification procedure is not intended as a means for receiving feedback or asking for further information about the admissions process. The deadline for rectification requests concerning doctoral education admissions is 19 May 2027. 

How to re­quest for rec­ti­fi­ca­tion of the ad­mis­sion de­ci­sion

Admissions information sessions

The University of the Arts Helsinki will organize doctoral programme application information sessions on Zoom towards the end of 2026. The sessions will provide an overview of the application process and admissions procedures for doctoral education, and applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

More detailed information about the dates and times of the information sessions will be published on this page by the end of October 2026.