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Hooray! We are celebrating our 10-year anniversary in 2023! The celebrations will be themed around the future of arts.

Apply to Master’s Degree Programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (double-degree)

Admission 2023 timetable, required certificates and advance assignments as well as information about participating in the entrance examinations.

Important Dates

● The application period starts on 4 January 2023

● The application period ends at 3pm (Finnish time) on 18 January 2023
– Complete and submit the application form via Studyinfo

● Submit appendices before 25 January 2023, 3pm (Finnish time)
– Send the advance assignments via the Studyinfo application form
– Send required certificates (education and language proficiency) through the Studyinfo application form

● The online entrance examinations will take place 19 April – 22 April 2023

● The results of the student selections will be published on 11 May 2023, 9am (Finnish time)

● No later than 14 July 2023, 3pm (Finnish time)
– Accept the study place and enrol at the university
– Pay the tuition fee (if required)
– Send a certificate of completed degree (if you are being conditionally selected)

Length of study and the language of the degree

  • Length of study: 2 years
  • Language of degree: English
  • Structure of the programme: double-degree

Eligibility for education

You are eligible to apply for Master’s Degree Programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (double-degree) if you have:

  1. completed a bachelor’s degree awarded by a university
  2. completed a bachelor’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences
  3. completed a corresponding BA (Bachelor of Arts) -level foreign degree, which in the country in question confers eligibility for corresponding higher education studies

Assessment of eligibility

Your eligibility will be assessed on the basis of your application, certificates and other reports.

A decision will be made on your eligibility before sending out invitations to the entrance examination. You will be notified of the decision by email during week 9 or 10.

Conditional selection

Some applicants are selected conditionally. If your higher education degree has still been incomplete during the application phase, you must submit the degree certificate and a transcript of records detailing the studies you have completed to the Admissions Services by 14 July 2023, 3pm (Finnish time). You can only register for the academic year after this.

If you do not submit a degree certificate by the deadline, you will lose the study place offered to you.

Applying for transfer from another university

Applicants who are refugees or in a refugee-like situation

Language requirements

The degree language and the language of study in the Master’s Degree Programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research is English.

In order to become accepted as a degree student, you must, in the application phase, demonstrate the language proficiency required by the studies in accordance with the language of instruction. You can demonstrate your language proficiency by previous education, an acceptable language test, or other previous studies.

You must demonstrate sufficient language proficiency by 25 January 2023, 3pm (Finnish time). Attach a degree certificate or a language test certificate to the application form submitted via Studyinfo.

Study languages and the language of the degree in Theatre Academy

Tuition fee

In the academic year 2023-2024, University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki) will charge an annual tuition fee of 5,000 euros from non-EU and non-EEA students studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a foreign language. The amount of the fee will stay the same for the duration of a particular student’s studies.

In the 2023 student admissions of the Theatre Academy of Uniarts Helsinki, tuition fees will apply to applicants applying to one of our English-speaking degree programmes;

  • Master’s Degree Programme in Choreography
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (double-degree)
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Dance Performance
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Live Art and Performance Studies
  • Master’s Studies in Directing

The fee cannot be charged to a citizen of a Member State of the European Economic Area, or to a person who is entitled to the same treatment as EU citizens under a treaty signed by the European Union and its Member States with a third party or to a family member of the above-mentioned individuals. Nor can it be charged to a person with an EU Blue Card, a continuous or permanent residence permit or a long-term resident’s EC residence permit issued to third-country nationals as referred to in the Aliens Act, or to a family member of the above-mentioned individuals. The definition of persons regarded as family members is based on the Finnish Aliens Act.

UK citizens will be charged tuition fees, as is the case with other non-EU/EEA citizens. However, the tuition fee will not be collected from British citizens who have a residence permit card issued by the Finnish Immigration Service that is in accordance with the Brexit withdrawal agreement or a pending application for a right of residence.

The tuition fee is to be paid no later than 14 July 2023 at 3pm. (Finnish time). Students are required to pay the annual tuition fee in order to register for attendance and complete studies and to obtain a residence permit.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for the advance assignments and the entrance examinations: 

  • readiness and motivation to study in and commit to an international, research-oriented double-degree program 
  • experience, abilities, and knowledge related to combining artistic practice and theory 
  • the ability to critically reflect on one’s own work and think experimentally, exploratively, analytically 
  • breadth of thinking and the ability to work in different disciplines, media, contexts and collaborative situations 
  • ability to assume and/or share responsibility 
  • suitability for process-oriented dramaturgical work and research, as well as university studies 

Advance assignments

The advance assignments are of considerable importance in the selection process. Based on the assignments, only selected applicants are accepted to the subsequent phases of the application process. Beyond what is written below, no explanations or specifications concerning the advance assignments are provided. All advance assignments are to be submitted in English. Page size is A4, spacing 1.5, font size 12.

The advance assignments are assessed anonymously. The anonymity of the assignments aims to guarantee that the evaluation is based solely on the aforementioned assessment criteria.
All applicants are asked to not to include their name or other identifiers in the advance assignments. Name the assignment files as instructed below. Anonymization of files is done mechanically.

1. MA Research Plan

Write your MA research plan (1500-2500 words). Please consult the CDPR Curriculum while writing your plan. In the plan, please include the following parts:

a) applicant’s introduction: Shortly introduce your existing artistic and theoretical background, articulating the elements that support your ability to carry out your plan. 

b) background: Give some background on your research topic. 

c) questions or problems: What are the main questions and problems to be considered in this research project? In what way is this project dramaturgical or dramaturgy-led? 

d) implementations: How do you plan to implement your research? Describe how you plan to realize the separate parts: artistic and written theses. 

e) aims: Why would you like to complete this project? How is it relevant to you and your professional interests? 

f) motivation: Describe how your project relates to the goals of the Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research double-degree programme. How would this programme support you in the actualization of your plan, and how is your plan related to the profile of the programme? What is your motivation for applying to this programme? How would your research benefit from the international exchange with the partner universities? 

g) main sources of your research: the sources can be written, audiovisual, performances, other artworks etc. 

Give your research plan a title. Do not write your name or other personal identifiers on the research plan. Name the file: lastname_firstname_researchplan

2. An Abstract

Write an abstract of the research plan (a maximum of 200 words).
Do not write your name or other personal identifiers on the abstract. Name the file: lastname_firstname_abstract

3. An Artistic Sample

Create an artistic sample pertaining to your MA research plan. The artistic sample can be written (max. 2000 words), visual (max 10 images, all in one PDF), or audiovisual material (max. duration 10 min.) – or you can submit a combination of these elements. This is not a portfolio, showcasing your previous artistic works and accomplishments, even though materials from your previous works can be used here. These artistic materials should support your MA research plan and propose or demonstrate an artistic implementation of it.
Do not include your name or other personal identifiers on these samples. Name the file: lastname_firstname_sample

4. Artistic Role

Shortly describe your artistic role in the sample you have submitted. (As author of text, creator of visual images or audiovisual material, performer etc.). Max. 400 words.
Do not include your name or other personal identifiers on this document. Name the file: lastname_firstname_role

How to apply

You can find Master’s Degree Programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research on the Studyinfo portal under the name of; Master’s Admission: Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research, Master of Arts in Theatre and Drama (2 yr)

1. Complete and submit an online application form: Joint Application to Higher Education, Spring 2023

Complete and submit an online application form at the Studyinfo portal by 18 January 2023 at 3pm (Finnish time). The application period is from 4 January to 18 January 2023.

After you have submitted the application, you will receive a confirmation email to the address you have given on the application form. The email contains a link to the application, you can add attachments to your application within the deadline.

2. Submit advance assignments and appendices

Submit advance assignments and appendices via Studyinfo portal by 25 January 2023 at 3pm (Finnish time).

  • Advance assignments
    Name the advance assignments in accordance with the assignment instructions.

  • Resume/CV
    Name your file: lastname_firstname_cv

  • Documents demonstrating your educational background
    Send a degree certificate and a transcript of records of a completed degree suitable for master’s studies, or a certificate of student status and a transcript of record of ongoing studies.
    Name your files: lastname_firstname_document, such as: lastname_firstname_degreecertificate, lastname_firstname_transcript

  • Diploma Supplement (DS)
    If you are applying with a foreign degree, submit a Diploma Supplement. If a Diploma Supplement is not available, provide a separate report on the status of the foreign degree in the education system of the country of study, and a description of the duration of the programme.
    Name your file: lastname_firstname_document, such as: lastname_firstname_ds

  • Demonstration of language proficiency
    Send a certificate demonstrating language proficiency in the language of instruction, if it cannot be verified on the basis of the higher education degree completed.
    Name your file: lastname_firstname_document, such as: lastname_firstname_toefl

  • Document that proves exemption from tuition fees
    If you are applying to study in English, and you come from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you are to submit documentation (e.g. a copy of your passport) that shows you are exempt from tuition fees.
    Name your file: lastname_firstname_document, such as: lastname_firstname_passport

The applicant must have the appendices translated by a professional translator, if they are in a language other than Finnish, Swedish or English.

Submitting material in the Studyinfo portal

After completing the electronic application form in the Studyinfo.fi system, submit the advance assignments and other required material by the specified deadline to Uniarts Helsinki through the Studyinfo application form. You can complete your application with attachments either in the My Studyinfo service (if you have Finnish online bank user identifiers) or through the edit link in the confirmation email you have received.

Before downloading the material to the application, check that the material opens and functions as intended. Also, before submitting the application, check that you have downloaded all necessary attachments to your application.

Name the files according to the assignment instructions. Do not use Scandinavian characters (å, ä, ö) or special characters when naming the files.

The Studyinfo system accepts the following audio / video / document / image formats:

  • Audio – mp3, m4a, aiff, wma, wav, aac
  • Video – mpeg, mpg, mp4, mov, avi, wmv, m4v, vob, qt (we recommend format mp4)
  • Document – the preferred format for all text documents is pdf
  • Image – jpeg, png, gif, jpg

The maximum file size allowed is 1 GB.

Make sure your computer and Internet browser are up to date. Use a stable Internet connection to upload the materials. Make sure your computer does not go into power saving mode when the uploading is in progress.

The sender is responsible for submitting the application (application form, advance assignments, attachments).

Advance assignments that are only partially loaded or incomplete will be rejected. Advance assignments sent by email or as an email attachment will not be processed.

Upload the materials to the system as early as possible

Large files may take several hours to upload when the system is busy. To speed up the uploading of videos, for example, you can compress the video file. Begin uploading the materials well in advance of the deadline.

Submitting material via systems outside of Studyinfo

We recommend that you upload your material directly to the Studyinfo portal. If the assignment includes sensitive data, it is especially important to use Studyinfo for submitting the assignment.

If you want to share a link that leads to a system outside of the Studyinfo portal (e.g. Youtube, Vimeo, Soundcloud) due to the risk of high upload traffic on the Studyinfo server, for example, the link must be uploaded to Studyinfo as a pdf file (e.g. as part of a work portfolio, or as a separate file that only includes the link/links).

The assignment must be uploaded by the set date, after which it is no longer possible to edit it.

If the link leads to a system outside of the Studyinfo portal, the url must be original, and not a shortened link made with a url shortener service. The link must lead directly to the assignment and not, for example, to a compilation page with more links. Make sure that the link works throughout the entire admissions round and that the assignments are marked as private in the system settings (privacy settings: “Password“ or “Unlisted“ for Vimeo, “Unlisted” for YouTube, and “Private” for Soundcloud). You can choose to add password protection to the file, in which case the password must be sent to Uniarts Helsinki in addition to the link (in this case contact Theatre Academy’s Admissions Office).

The assignment must remain stored in the system in question at least 6 months after the end of the application period.

Uniarts Helsinki is not responsible for the data security risks, potential copyright infringements, muting of copy-protected audio tracks, or terms of use of systems offered by third parties. Note that third parties usually save information on user profiles and use this information for advertising, market research and/or other commercial purposes.

Student selections

A decision on the applicant’s eligibility will be made on week 9-10. Applicants found eligible/ ineligible will be informed of that decision via e-mail. Those who have passed the first phase based on their advance assignments will be sent invitations to phase 2 by e-mail during week 14 at the latest. Applicants cannot change the entrance examination times assigned to them. Applicants not considered eligible based on the advance assignments will also be notified via e-mail.

The selection process occurs in two phases

Within the second phase, there are subphases. Only selected applicants are invited to subsequent phases. Additional assignments requiring preparation may also be given during the selection process. All assignments are in English.

Phase 1
Submitting an online application form, advance assignments and appendices in Studyinfo portal

Phase 2
Entrance examinations 19 April – 22 April, 2023

Based on their advance assignments, selected applicants will be invited to Phase 2 (entrance examinations). Invitations to Phase 2 will be sent by e-mail during week 14 at the latest. Along with the invitation, selected applicants will receive an assignment to be submitted before the entrance examinations.

Phase 2 of the selections is organized remotely using online tools. Applicants are not required to travel to Helsinki at any point of the selection process.  

Applicants may be eliminated after each stage and assignment of the entrance examination.

The assignments of the entrance examinations are intended to demonstrate your skills and abilities related to the field of study. There are individual assignments, group assignments, and interviews.

More information about entrance examinations and assessment

Individual arrangements in the entrance examination

Announcement of results

The Theatre Academy will publish the entrance examination results on 11 May and 2 June 2023. Results are published in the Studyinfo portal and on the Uniarts Helsinki website. When you fill in your application form you can choose to not allow your name to be published online.

Results will be published on 11 May 2023 at 9am (Finnish time):

  • Master’s Degree Programme in Choreography
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (double-degree)
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Live Art and Performance Studies
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Writing
  • Master’s Studies in Acting (in Finnish)
  • Master’s Studies in in Design for the Performing Arts
  • Master’s Studies in Directing

Results will be published on 2 June 2023 at 9am (Finnish time):

  • Degree Programme in Acting (in Finnish)
  • Degree Programme in Acting (in Swedish)
  • Degree Programme in Design for the Performing Arts
  • Degree Programme in Directing
  • Degree Programme in Dramaturgy and Playwriting
  • Degree Programme in Lighting Design
  • Degree Programme in Sound Design
  • Master’s Degree Programme in Dance Performance
  • Master’s Studies in Lighting Design
  • Master’s Studies in Sound Design

Applicants admitted as students and those placed on the waiting list receive an email of the admissions results on the day when the admission decision is published. Other applicants are not notified about the results by email.

You can also enquire the results by sending an e-mail to Admissions Services.

Number of new students and a waiting list

How to request for rectification

Accepting an offer of admission

Please indicate whether you will accept the study place no later than 14 July 2023, 3pm (Finnish time).

If you have a Finnish personal identity code, accept the study place in the MyStudyinfo service.

If you do not have a Finnish personal identity code, the Studyinfo.fi system will send you an email message. This message contains a link that you can use to accept the study place. You will receive this email within 24 hours of the announcement of admissions results.

Your notification regarding the acceptance of a study place is binding. However, if you wish to give up a study place after first accepting it, you will be considered to have accepted a place of study for the term in question (see the provision for one study place per term).

If you do not accept a study place by the deadline, you will lose the study place offered to you.

Applicants who are liable for annual tuition fee payment

Applicants who are liable for annual tuition fee payment are to pay the fee in connection with the acceptance of a study place no later than 14 July 2023 at 3pm (Finnish time). Students are required to pay the annual tuition fee in order to begin the residence permit process, register for attendance at the university and complete studies.

Enrollment

New students will receive instructions for enrollment together with the letter of admission results.

Registering as absent for the first year of studies

Starting your studies

Students admitted in the Joint Application of spring 2023 will begin their studies in August 2023.

Help and advice

Do you have a question about applying?

You can contact us via email or phone.

Email: teak.admissions@uniarts.fi
Phone: +358 50 349 6672

Frequently asked questions

A list of frequently asked questions

Read more about the programme