Doctoral Programme in Fine Arts

Why study here?

Come and conduct research at the Academy of Fine Arts, where art and the artist are the focal points. Research subjects – whether embodied in the research question or the method, material or objective of research – cover the meaning, practices, techniques and methods of art, as well as the arrangements that determine the production, reception, training and application of art.

About the studies

The doctoral programme offers a collegial environment for carrying out independent and creative artistic research. Artistic research is multidisciplinary research grounded in the artists and their art. Artist-researchers graduating from the programme develop and renew the field of contemporary art in terms of art practice, research, curating, teaching, and societal engagement. They engage in diverse and critical discourse with various societal actors. As specialists in their field, they make art and produce knowledge, skills, and understanding based on artistic principles that can be utilised in arts as well as other areas of society.

Doctoral education at Uniarts Helsinki promotes the ability of artist-researchers to apply the skills they have developed as artists, researchers, curators, pedagogues and specialists.

New doctoral students are admitted into the programme every other year. Doctoral students are expected to seek funding for their research from relevant bodies. The Academy of Fine Arts does not offer personal workspaces for doctoral students.

Structure of the degree

The Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA) degree comprises 240 ECTS credits, corresponding to four years of full-time study. The degree consists of the doctoral thesis in fine arts (180 ECTS credits) and postgraduate studies in fine arts (60 ECTS credits). Under the new curriculum, which will enter into force on 1 August 2027, the degree will consist of the doctoral thesis in fine arts (200 ECTS credits) and postgraduate studies in fine arts (40 ECTS credits).

During the academic year, teaching is focused on seven intensive seminar weeks, organised partly together with the other doctoral programmes of Uniarts Helsinki.

Please refer to the study guide to see the curriculum, course information and full description of the doctoral thesis.

Thesis project

The doctoral thesis in fine arts must demonstrate a profound understanding of the research field and the ability to analyse, articulate, and contextualise artistic research settings and practices. The thesis consists of a maximum of three artistic components and a written component. The relative emphasis of these components may vary on a case-by-case basis; however, their combined scope must total 180 ECTS credits. From 1 August 2027 onwards, the total scope will be 200 ECTS credits. Based on an approved research plan, the thesis may also consist solely of written research.

The artistic components can include art exhibitions, exhibition curating, individual artworks, artistic processes or experimental arrangements and their articulation, conceptualisation and theorisation. The artistic components have to be pre-examined and displayed in public.

Funding of doctoral studies

Doctoral studies at Uniarts Helsinki can be completed either as a full-time or as a part-time student. The university offers a certain number of salaried doctoral researcher positions, and there may be some research projects that employ doctoral researchers. Open paid positions are advertised through the University of the Arts Helsinki’s open vacancies. Many students fund their studies through grants, their own work or other sources of income. Applicants need a realistic plan on how to fund their studies and research or artistic work.

Uniarts Helsinki doesn’t charge tuition fees from doctoral researchers, and completing a degree is free of charge. However, as a rule, the university is not responsible for the costs of an individual doctoral thesis and does not automatically provide funding for carrying out research or artistic work.

Doctoral researchers are personally responsible for their living and housing costs. The general cost of living in the Helsinki metropolitan area is relatively high by international standards, so applicants should ensure that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves throughout the planned duration of their studies.

Applicants should also consider the possible costs of their prospective research or artistic activities. These may include costs related to materials, equipment, software, data acquisition, exhibitions, performances, productions, travel, recording and documentation services or other expenses related to carrying out the project.

Funding from foundations

Grants are a central source of funding for many doctoral researchers. Various foundations provide support for artistic and scientific research in Finland and abroad. Applicants are encouraged to look into funding opportunities already before starting their studies and continue being aware of their options during their studies.

More information on receiving funding from foundations is available here:

• Research.fi
• Association of Finnish Foundations

Grant-funded doctoral researchers should note that a grant doesn’t form an employment relationship with Uniarts Helsinki. Therefore, rights, services and benefits related to an employment contract do not apply to grant-funded researchers.

Before starting studies, international applicants should make sure that they have sufficient funding that covers their living expenses and possible study-related costs in Finland. A realistic funding plan supports the smooth progress of studies and enables sustained focus on long-term research and artistic work.

We recommend that you check whether your home country offers funding for completing a doctoral degree abroad.

Other funding

Doctoral studies may be completed alongside artistic or other professional work or by relying on other personal funding. In some cases, doctoral studies may entitle the student to receive student financial aid. Up-to-date information on financial aid for doctoral students is available on the Kela website.

Usually, part-time doctoral studies require a commitment of several years and careful planning, time management and budgeting. If you are pursuing your degree alongside work, you should assess in advance how much time you can dedicate to your studies and to your research or artistic practice, as well as what opportunities you have to arrange more intensive periods of work through study leave, grants or other forms of funding.

We ask for our applicants to compile a realistic plan on both their livelihood and the resources needed for their doctoral thesis already before embarking on doctoral studies.

More about the research and study activities