Content of Studies

Doctoral studies are designed as a four-year programme, so the curriculum is divided into eight semesters.

The curriculum is based on a creative relationship between the supervisor and the student. A specific feature of UMPRUM is the active involvement of consultants from the Department of Theory and History of Art (KTDU) throughout the study, allowing the doctoral thesis to consist of equal parts in terms of practice and theory.

In addition to compulsory subjects, students can take optional subjects, such as the social skills module (presentation skills, lectures and consultations within soft and business skills as well as copyright) and the pedagogical module.

Study Programme

The study programme is implemented according to an individual study plan, which, in addition to the compulsory subjects, consists of:

  1. artistic work on the project;
  2. theoretical work on the dissertation text;
  3. other activities (participation in the preparation for external lectures, workshops, presentations, exhibitions, etc. + exhibition and publication activities, participation in artistic research projects or the development of functional designs/models according to their relevance in the individual fields and specialisations).

The artistic work is carried out in the usual way under the guidance of the studio supervisor and pedagogical and organizational activities are carried out in cooperation with him/her as well. Exhibition and publication activities are mainly independent.

Joint theoretical teaching is carried out by the KTDU and it focuses on the strengthening of study competences (understanding of difficult texts, including texts in foreign languages, skills in presenting one's own work and the ability to formulate and elaborate one's own text) and mainly takes the form of seminars/exercises that are organised in several afternoon blocs during the semester. It is complemented by theoretical lectures to help better orientation in the art world and understanding of its functioning (museology and curating, art market, wider social context).

During the course of their studies, students should also complete an internship abroad, optimally for one term, and actively participate in annual workshop with a foreign teacher. This is a several-day long intensive meeting with renowned personalities in the field of history and theory of art, design or architecture, conveying intellectual incentives from other than local contexts and strengthening the ability to communicate and critically reflect.

The study also includes active participation in the committees for examinations and state final examinations of UMPRUM students of art and architecture.

Exhibition and publication activities or other partial outcomes related to doctoral research are compulsory and are continuously consulted with a supervisor and in cooperation with a consultant. The student presents the results of their doctoral studies annually in front of a committee at the doctoral colloquium.

Studies are completed by a state doctoral examination and doctoral thesis defence.