The mission of the four-year doctoral degree study programme Digital Culture and Creative Industries (hereafter DCCI) is to prepare researchers for educational and cultural institutions that are focused on research into the implications of the proliferation of digital and networking technologies and their potential for creative application, and also their application in the creative industries. The aim of the study programme is to train and educate top experts in the fields of new media arts, digital culture and culture management with a focus on the creative industries.

The doctoral degree study programme DCCI is unique in the context of other art and science doctoral degree study programmes in the Czech Republic. This is the only programme that links together theory of art, social sciences, a technical knowledge of digital and networking technologies and research based on experimental testing of systems (artistic, cultural, technical). It has been established in response to labour market demand and the underdeveloped professional discourse in this area in the Czech (and Slovak) academic sphere.

The concept of the study programme is based on the interconnection of theoretical research and creative practice (artistic, design, curatorial, production) conceived as a specific type of basic (primary) research, that is necessary for a deep understanding of the studied phenomena and their critical reflection in them. Emphasis is placed on cooperation with the sphere in which the practices are applied (topics of dissertations taking into account the current needs of subjects from the sphere of application) and on the international dimension of study (study visits and internships abroad, presentations of academic and research outputs at international forums, special lectures by foreign experts, etc.).

The DCCI programme is intended for graduates from the follow-up master’s degree programmes Theory of Interactive Media and Culture Management at the Department of Musicology of the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University. It is open to graduates from related master’s degree programmes (media studies, new media studies, managements of culture and cultural institutions), which do not have a relevant accredited doctoral degree programme.

Practical training

The Digital Culture and Creative Industries study program is designed to interact with the academic and application sectors using a variety of tools:

• Research topics of PhD students and the development of the DKKP study programme are subject to continuous consultation with practitioners who are integrated into the running of the programme as consultants and in the positions of the members of the Subject Council.
• Practical training/Work placement is included in the doctoral degree study programme as a compulsory subject. It is conceived as a semester course of 320 hours. It will take place under supervision in cultural institutions, media archives, within the dramaturgical and organizational teams of festivals, or in companies in creative industries, depending on the focus of the research project.
• PhD students participate in research projects, writing of academic papers, editorial work and teaching in preparation for an academic career.

Only university graduates of Master's degree programmes with a corresponding or similar specialization can be admitted to the doctoral study programme (full-time or combined mode) after passing an entrance examination.

The admission procedure takes a form of an oral examination:

• The applicant introduces a research proposal for a doctoral dissertation and the discussion is held in order to evaluate their professional preparedness and motivation for doctoral studies. The research project should be 6 to 10 standard pages long.
• The previous professional and creative activities of the applicant are evaluated and discussed too.
• The knowledge of English at least at the B2 level of the European classification is tested.

Evaluation:

The applicant can earn a maximum of 100 points. The minimum number of points for admission to study is 70. The candidate is evaluated in the following areas:

• Dissertation project (max. 50 points);
• Professional readiness (max. 25 points);
• Motivation to study and compliance of the research project with the professional focus of the department (max. 25 points).

The applicant is informed about the outcome of the admission procedure in a written form, via an e-mail.

Materials for the admission procedure (additional materials to the e-application):

• Research proposal for the doctoral dissertation:

Recommended structure:

1. Description of theoretical background;
2. Research problem formulation;
3. Listing of the research objectives arising from it;
4. Design of adequate research methods;
5. List of basic literature.

Range: 6 to 10 standard pages.

• Structured professional CV, including a list of publications or other creative activities relevant for assessing the applicant's professional qualifications for doctoral studies.
• Certificate of proficiency in English at the B2 level of the European classification (optional).
• Copy of master's degree diploma or proof of current studies.

Examination board:

An examination board is established for the entrance examination. It consists of the chairman and at least two other members of the Board of the study subject. At the entrance examination, the research proposal for the doctoral thesis will be primarily discussed with the applicant; the theoretical and methodological knowledge related to the project will be tested in the form of an interview; the candidate will have the opportunity to comment on the submitted CV.

Applicants who cannot attend the entrance exam in Brno will have to attend a Skype interview.

Application Deadlines:

1 January - 30 April for the enrollment in the Fall semester

Documents set out above in the Terms of Admission are required to be provided in digital form and attached to the online application by April 30th.

Contact:

admission@phil.muni.cz

Tuition fees: € 2,500/academic year (degree programme taught in English).

Students who require a visa and who are denied one will be refunded 90 % of the school-fee only if they send us confirmation that their visa was denied. The money will be returned by bank transfer only.