Theatre and Film Studies

The aim of the study programme is a systematic preparation for academic and scientific work in academic and research institutions and universities or in the broader field of humanities, and also expert praxis in cultural institutions, creative industries, media etc.

“Theatre Studies: All the world’s a stage. Film Studies: We see film from within.”

The study programme has two orientations 1) Drama and Performativity - focuses on the theory and history of theatre and drama (including production modes), and 2) Audiovisual Culture and Society - focuses on theory and history of film and audiovisual culture, including production modes and institutions, cultural effects, and reception.

The study programme is highly specialized and individualized, focused on scientific work and tailored to the needs of individual dissertation projects. The study plan consists of a set of dissertation seminars, leading to the completion of the thesis. The system of dissertation seminars is supported by a series of type A/required as well as type B/selective and type C/selective courses (including lectures in English, practical training, or an internship abroad).

Practical training

Practical experience is important part of doctoral programme. Students - according their specialisation - can join research project at the departments, take part in teaching (first as assistents and later provide courses on their own), and co-operate on other academic or organisational tasks.

Study programme also includes abroad intership (minimal length of stay 1 month) and internship in practical field in research institution or cultural industries (minimal lenght of stay 30days).

Further information

More info about the programme, research focus of the departments and individual teachers is provided on web pages of

Department of Theatre Studies https://divadlo.phil.muni.cz/

and Department of Film and Audio-visual Culture https://fav.phil.muni.cz/

Graduates of the doctoral degree study programme can work as top experts in scientific research and educational institutions, both nationally and internationally.

Doctoral graduates are trained for specialized positions requiring high qualifications in scientific research institutions, academia, museums, archives, theatres, and the film industry (production, distribution, festivals, cinemas, television, etc.), as well as in other cultural and creative industries, such as cultural management and policies, dramaturgy, press, editorial and publishing practices, etc.

The admission procedure to doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University is two-round. In the first round, the documents submitted in advance are assessed. The second round takes the form of an oral interview. Only those applicants who succeed in the first round are invited to the second round.

The application materials may be submitted in Czech, Slovak or English. You can also attend the admission interview and submit your dissertation in these languages.

Deadline for submitting applications: January 1 - April 30

Deadline for submitting documents for the admission procedure: until 15 May

The application must explicitly state either the theatrical focus, which belongs to the Department of Theatre Studies, or the filmological focus, which belongs to the Department of Film Studies and Audiovisual Culture. Enter this information in the e-application in the field “Additional text of the applicant”.

Documents for the admission procedure (1st round):

• signed CV;
• list of publishing activities and other professional (possibly also artistic) activities;
• doctoral thesis project: on the form provided.

Documents for the admission procedure must be inserted into the e-application (rubric “Documents”) by 15 May. At the same time, the documents must be sent electronically in the format of one .pdf file (surname_name_focus_project_cv) to div@phil.muni.cz for theatre science or fav@phil.muni.cz for film science.

Applicants are advised to consult the formulation of the submitted research project as far in advance as possible before submitting their application documents, via div@phil.muni.cz for Theatre Studies and fav@phil.muni.cz for Film Studies.

The entrance examination in the 2nd round takes the form of an oral discussion of the dissertation project. Professional and linguistic readiness, motivation to study, previous research experience are also assessed.

Notice: For the entrance examination, a proof of completion of a Master’s degree programme is not required.

Criteria for evaluation

1st round: success limits 35 points (out of 60).

2nd round: success limits 70 points (out of 100).