Upon successful completion of the PhD Program students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate in depth and substantial knowledge in the domains of the arts;
2. Display comprehensive theoretical and research-based understanding of complex concepts, techniques and methodologies in the arts;
3. Identify with complex contemporary global, regional and local art and design issues in relation to current sociopolitical and economic conditions;
4. Generate novel and innovative solutions through advanced critical and creative processes;
5. Formulate ideas and hypotheses that will extend the forefront of knowledge and to discover new knowledge through original research and practice in the fields of Art and Design;
6. Organize independent research in a networked, international and trans-disciplinary environment;
7. Design, develop and implement methodologies and settings that will enable the validation and evaluation of the outcome of their research work;
8. Conduct primary research work and produce work of publishable quality which satisfies peer review;
9. Evaluate critically and review research work related to the domain of their research work published in journals and conference proceedings;
10. Communicate the results of their research work and practice and to publish them in refereed scientific journals and conference proceedings;
11. Present and successfully defend the outcomes of their research work;
12. Demonstrate awareness of any ethical and legal implications of their research and engage with the ethical and legal context of their research;
13. Exhibit transferable professional skills, such as communication and presentation skills, team-working, leadership, self-direction, time management and organization, necessary for a successful career as a researcher and/or for employment in a senior and leading capacity in the cultural sector;

The PhD in Art and Design Practices aims at enhancing and progressing careers in the art and design sector and opening up opportunities at senior levels in the arts and the creative economy. Research degrees can be key to pursuing an academic career, and graduates may go on to research or teach in higher education institutions. The PhD in Art and Design Practices is central to fulfilling the mission of the University through advancing its research dimension, and enabling its establishment in the regional and international scene.

Student Admission Bodies
The PhD in Art and Design Practices program is overseen by the Doctoral Program Committee. This is a three-member committee appointed by the Council of the Department. Handling student admissions, such as the evaluation of the applications for admittance is one of the responsibilities of this committee.

Application Procedure
Admission to the doctoral program is done after the announcement of doctoral positions by the Department, followed by an application by the interested applicant. Eligible applicants must hold a university degree, Bachelor’s or Master’s, granted by an institution recognized in the country where it operates. Applicants who do not hold their first degree at the time of application, but will hold such a degree before the commencement of the graduate program, are also eligible to apply but must submit a letter from their University’s Registrar verifying that they are indeed eligible to graduate. The decision on their admission does not become official until the degree has been successfully produced.

Each application for admission should include:
- A completed application form.
- A Curriculum Vitae indicating the student’s education, academic and research experience, any publications, awards, etc.
- A Research Statement. Candidates with prior graduate studies are required to submit a brief research statement (up to 600 words) stating the area in which they are interested in conducting research. Candidates with no prior graduate level studies do not need to submit a research statement.
- A Digital Portfolio (only for applicants submitting a proposal for a practice-based PhD, who will need to upload a portfolio of practice to support their application. Portfolio submissions are accepted in the following formats: JPG format no larger than 2MB and at least 1024 x 768 pixels (maximum of 10). URLs: links to videos hosted on sites such as Vimeo or YouTube may be uploaded (publicly viewed). The ten items of work should include, if possible, a few examples of earlier as well as recent works. Each item should be provided with relevant information (i.e. date, size, medium, title).
- At least two letters of recommendation from academic or professional advisors.
- Certified copies of all degrees and transcripts.
- Copies of any other supporting material, such as exams, honours, awards, etc.
- Proof of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL (minimum grade 90), the IELTS (minimum grade 6.5), or other equivalent language examinations. Candidates, who have completed an undergraduate or graduate program where the instruction language was English, satisfy the proof of English language proficiency requirement.

The program is structured in six (6) semesters of 30 ECTS credits each. The minimum duration of the program is six semesters (180 ECTS).

A doctoral student is awarded the doctoral title after a successful completion of the requirements specified in the program structure. These requirements include the successful completion of the following:

- Doctoral Level Courses
- Comprehensive Exam
- Graduate Seminar Courses
- Defence of Research Proposal
- Paper Publications
- Doctoral Dissertation Submission
- Doctoral Dissertation Defence