Guidelines for the PhD in “Research-Creation in Music”
The PhD programme in “Research-Creation in Music” is offered by the Department of Musicology at the University of Fribourg (Faculty of Arts and Humanities) [1] in collaboration with the University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana under a cooperation agreement.
The programme is intended for applicants who hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a Swiss or foreign university-level music institution recognised by the University and who wish to pursue doctoral studies.
The “Research-Creation in Music” programme encourages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary forms of inquiry that combine the identification and systematic analysis of a research problem (for example, related to a given repertoire or practice) with the practical exploration and testing of a relevant hypothesis, whether through performative, creative, or other means.
The doctoral thesis may therefore take different forms but must combine a written dissertation with artistic material.
- Dissertation: defines the research problem, research question or hypothesis and provides a systematic analysis of the most relevant literature, situating the project within its broader context and explaining its significance. It describes the methodology and results in relation to the theoretical framework.
- Artistic material: illustrates how the hypothesis has been explored and tested in practical, creative and performative terms, for example in the form of a score, a performance, etc., possibly accompanied by the relevant multimedia materials.
Doctoral candidates admitted to the programme are supervised by two thesis supervisors (advisors), affiliated respectively with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (principal supervisor) and the University of Music (co-supervisor).
The PhD programme in “Research-Creation in Music” is governed by the Regulations on Admission and Enrolment[2] and the Regulations on the Award of Doctorates of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Fribourg.[3]
Admission and Enrolment
Applicants are eligible if they hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees obtained at a Swiss or foreign university-level music institution recognised by the University, with an average grade of at least 5 on a scale of 1 to 6.
If an applicant holds academic qualifications in fields other than the discipline in which they are applying, admission may be made conditional upon completion of additional training.
Admission is subject to the approval of both thesis supervisors (University and University of Music).
Applications
Applicants must submit a research proposal outlining the topic, the objectives, the current state of the art in the field, the methodology, an initial bibliography and a provisional work plan. The proposal may include some preliminary artistic material. This proposal must be sent to the prospective thesis supervisor and co-supervisor.
There are no fixed deadlines for submitting applications.
PhD Agreement
Once admitted, the doctoral candidate signs a PhD agreement with their thesis supervisors.[4] This document must be submitted to the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Fribourg no later than three months after enrolment and sets out the key elements of the doctoral project. These include the provisional title, format of the thesis, language of the thesis (Italian, French, German or English), supplementary study requirements, and the names of the thesis supervisors.
In addition to the agreement the candidate must also submit the formal version of the project to the Dean’s Office within three months of admission for final approval by the thesis supervisors.
The agreement may have a maximum duration of six years and may be renewed.
Enrolment
Admitted candidates are enrolled exclusively at the University of Fribourg, to which they pay the semester and examination fees. Applications for residence and study permits are subject to the regulations of the Canton of Fribourg.
MORE INFORMATION HERE
[1] https://www.unifr.ch/musicologie/fr/etudes/doctorat/
[2] https://webapps.unifr.ch/legal/fr/310.000
[3] https://webapps.unifr.ch/legal/fr/load/276370
[4] https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/assets/public/files/pdf/formation_doctorat/Convention_doctorat.pdf
