Doctorate in The Arts

Doctorate in the Arts

What is doctoral research in the arts?

Since the Bologna Declaration introduced doctoral degrees in the arts in Europe in 1999, there have been many different ideas about what these degrees (like a PhD or alternatives like Creator Doctus) should be and how they should be conducted and evaluated. There are also various ways of naming and framing these degrees, such as Third Cycle in the Arts, Professional Doctorate in the Arts, Practice-Based Doctorate, and Practice-Led Doctorate.

At ARIAS, we define it as follows: A doctoral degree in arts is a degree awarded based on research conducted through the arts – by means of art/art practice – on the highest level. It is an artistic research doctorate that gives a remarkable and extraordinary contribution to the field of art and proposes (a) different insight(s) to existing ways of knowing.

‍Artistic Research or Research conducted "through the arts" means using artistic disciplines as modes of thinking and understanding. This involves using the methods, tools, and materials of art practice to carry out research. Artistic research is a unique area of research that is well-suited for engaging with a variety of subjects and addressing inter- and transdisciplinary issues. It focuses on experimental processes of knowing and how these processes are expressed.

It also involves specific ways of knowing and thinking about knowledge. It focuses more on the process of understanding than on simply accumulating knowledge. It uses a variety of approaches and methods from fields like science, arts, and social embodied practices. By doing so, artistic research challenges the traditional demand for knowledge production, creating different ways of knowing as spaces for thinking.

Higher Education and Third Cycles in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, higher education is divided into two main types: WO (Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs or Academic Education) and HBO (Hoger Beroepsonderwijs or Higher Professional Education).

WO (Academic Education)

PhD Programs

WO institutions, such as universities, focus on academic research and offer traditional PhD programs. These programs are research-intensive and aim to contribute to scientific knowledge. PhD candidates at WO institutions typically write a dissertation based on original research.

Third Cycle in The Arts

Some WO institutions, like the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, offer PhD programs with an artistic component, allowing candidates to incorporate high-quality artistic components into their doctoral research.

HBO (Higher Professional Education)

Professional Doctorate (PD)

HBO institutions do not traditionally offer PhD programs. Instead, they focus on practice-oriented education. Recently, HBO institutions have started a pilot for the Professional Doctorate (PD), a new third-cycle program that emphasises practice-based research. The PD aims to foster highly skilled professionals who can apply research to complex practical problems.

Alternative Third Cycles

HBO institutions also offer other advanced programs, such as the Creator Doctus (CrD) at Gerrit Rietveld Academie, which focuses on artistic research and results in a series of artworks as the doctoral output, or PhDArts at Leiden University.

In summary, WO institutions in the Netherlands offer traditional and artistic Ph.D.s focused on academic research, while HBO institutions provide practice-oriented doctoral paths like the Professional Doctorate and alternative programs like Creator Doctus, which are designed to integrate research with practical and artistic applications.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

General Requirements for Obtaining a Doctoral Position:

Have an MA degree (exceptions can be made – check the university's promotion regulations).

Write a research proposal summary (around 1000 words). See the ASCA guidelines for an example.

Find a supervisor (promoter) willing to oversee your research.

Be accepted by a research school or centre at the university. This requires preparing a PhD proposal according to the rules of the chosen research school.

IMPORTANT - Ask the supervisor about their understanding of a doctorate in the arts and artistic research more broadly. It’s crucial that the promoter supports the research and helps integrate artistic methods into the academic context. This may require specific conditions and a willingness to challenge some institutional ideas.

Possibilities for a Doctorate in the Arts in Amsterdam

PhD programs with WO Partners

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) and VU Amsterdam do not offer practice-based doctoral degrees in the arts as previously defined. Enrolling in a doctoral program at either university requires writing an academic dissertation. However, it is possible to collaborate with an art academy to create a PhD with an artistic component. We can help you determine the specific conditions your research might need and facilitate suitable connections within our network.

University of Amsterdam | Uva

Since 2017, the University of Amsterdam has allowed PhD degrees with an artistic component. Candidates must write an academic dissertation and produce a "high-quality artistic performance." An advisor from the arts can be added to the committee upon request.

The UvA's promotion regulations include a supplementary section on the "Doctorate in Arts" that details the requirements.

Doctorate Regulations

More information about doing a PhD at the UvA

Step-by-step overview from admission to completion

Information on obtaining a position with or without employment

VU Amsterdam | VU

In 2019, VU Amsterdam updated their PhD regulations to include practice-based components as part of the academic doctorate.

The doctoral thesis can include an artistic or technological component, such as an exhibition, dataset, or artistic work, which is considered crucial to knowledge development. The commission reviews this as part of the overall doctoral thesis rather than as a separate product of research (see Article 16.2 of their promotion regulations).

Typically, a commission consists of members who have obtained a PhD themselves. However, upon a motivated request from your promoter, the dean can add an advisor without a PhD to the commission if they bring the necessary expertise, such as from the arts, industry, or civil society (see Article 13.7 of their promotion regulations).

General information about doing a PhD at the VU

Promotion regulations of the VU (in Dutch)

Information about the Graduate School of the Humanities

Interdisciplinary research schools and labs at the VU:
 Hybrid Forms 
CLUE+

Third Cycle in the Arts with HBO Partners

In the Dutch educational system, art schools are not considered universities and cannot grant PhDs. However, institutions like the Gerrit Rietveld Academie (GRA), Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) offer higher professional education in the arts and applied sciences. These institutions can collaborate with universities to set up doctoral degrees in the arts between WO (Academic Education) and HBO (Higher Professional Education). ARIAS assists potential PhD candidates in connecting with these institutions. Some HBOs also offer other third-cycle (doctoral-level) education trajectories or research programs.

Gerrit Rietveld Academie | GRA

Creator Doctus is a three-year research trajectory for visual artists and designers set up by the Gerrit Rietveld Academy. When the three-year trajectory is completed and judged sufficient by the evaluation committee, the participant will be awarded the title Creator Doctus (CrD). This title promotes the artist's professional degree and skill. The CrD is developed in collaboration with several European partners for broader recognition.
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Read more about CrD here and here.

Amsterdam University of the Arts | AHK

docARTES is an international inter-university doctoral program for practice-based research in musical arts designed for musician-researchers. It is primarily intended for musicians in the fields of performance and composition, whose artistic work raises questions or problems that can only be addressed through research. The four-year consists of two elements: the doctoral curriculum and the individual research trajectory.
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Read more about admission to docARTES here.

DAS Research | THIRD - 3rd Cycle

THIRD (Amsterdam) is a facilitating model designed as a two-year trajectory for small-scale learning cohorts. THIRD prepares theatre, choreography and performance artists for 3rd cycle research opportunities through processes of refining their individual artistic research proposals, sharpening their research aspirations and defining their affiliations and funding possibilities. There is a joint program (meetings for exchange, an annual presentation, a residency at DAS Graduate School in the summer) and an individual program under supervision from an expert in the field of the performing arts. A cohort of six or seven candidates is compiled each year.
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While DAS Graduate School cannot award PhDs, it supports performing artists aiming to expand their knowledge through PhD programs in the Netherlands and abroad. The goal of THIRD is to prepare and support artists in developing long-term research projects for university PhD or Research Fellowship programs.
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Read more about THIRD here.

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences | HvA

HvA is one of the largest schools in the Benelux region and is connected to ARIAS through its Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industry (FDMCI). The research groups (lectoraten) related to design, digital media, and visual culture are active participants in our network. These groups, bundled in CREATE-IT (the department for applied research), collaborate with in-school labs and external industry partners. PhD researchers can be co-supervised by HvA and a university and hosted within HvA's research department.
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Find more information about CREATE-IT here.

Pilot Professional Doctorate Arts & Creative

What is the Professional Doctorate (PD)?

In 2023, the Dutch universities of Applied Sciences launched a pilot program for a new type of doctoral degree called the Professional Doctorate (PD). This program emphasises practice-oriented research and aims to train candidates in a research-intensive learning process. Graduates become highly qualified investigative professionals capable of addressing complex issues at the EQF-8/NLQF-8 level (European Qualification Framework or Dutch Qualification Framework).

More information about the PD

The pilot was initiated by the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science and SIA. Twenty-five colleges across seven different domains are participating. The goal is to develop PD programs that add value for candidates, society, the professional field, and education, complementing existing PhD programs focused more on scientific research.

Legal Status of the PD

Currently, the Professional Doctorate is not legally recognised under the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act. Completing the program does not yet provide a legally protected degree or title; candidates receive a certificate instead. Efforts are underway to secure legal status for the PD, ensuring future candidates receive a recognised degree and/or title. A transitional arrangement is being considered for those who start the PD program before these legal changes take effect.

More information about the legal status of the PD

Why is there a PD?

The Professional Doctorate is seen as a vital addition to the higher education system. It offers a continuous learning path from associate degree through bachelor's and master's to doctorate within the professional education sector. This practical focus meets the need for employees who can think at a doctoral level and apply this knowledge in practice. PD programs produce 'research professionals' who tackle complex, profession-oriented knowledge and design challenges, contributing to sustainable innovations.

More information about the need for the PD

Participating Domains and Colleges

The pilot program spans seven domains:
1. Arts & Creative
2. Health & Well-being
3. Maritime
4. Education: Learning and Professionalization
5. Technology & Digitalization
6. Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality
7. Energy & Sustainability

Twenty-five colleges are participating, with candidates starting their PD during the first four years of the pilot, which runs from 2023 to 2029. Registration is through participating colleges, which nominate candidates to the Graduate Committee of their domain. There are four application periods each year. Professional partners within the seven domains can also suggest topics for a PD.

More information on participating domains and colleges

Learn about the Professional Doctorate Pilot

This page is designed to guide you in determining the best research path for you.

By exploring different possibilities and pushing the boundaries of traditional research methods, you pave the way for future researchers. At ARIAS, we aim to inform you about new opportunities and help you navigate the evolving landscape of doctoral degrees in the arts. These degrees are still relatively new, but we are optimistic about the innovative and exciting developments emerging through our collaborative efforts.

ARIAS focuses on Amsterdam. You can find a larger overview of research trajectories and third-cycle options in the Netherlands via kunst-onderzoek.

If you have questions after reading this page, please contact us via

info@arias.amsterdam