The Doctoral Program in Culture Studies is a four-year research program in the Humanities and Social Sciences aimed at graduates and professionals from the cultural sector who wish to advance their university education within a theoretically solid and groundbreaking framework.
As part of a wide network of academic and cultural players, the program is born out of the commitment to develop a doctoral program that promotes both high-level research training at the forefront of scientific interest and responds to the cultural sector’s growing call for highly qualified professionals.
The Program stimulates problem-oriented and practice-based research approaches and provides broad opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction through a significant range of seminar options from the fields of Cultural Studies, Contemporary Art, Performance Studies, Literature, Translation, Media and Visual Studies.
The program is entirely taught in English.
Research Training Networks
PhD-net (University of Giessen, Universidade Católica Portuguesa; University of Bergamo, University of Stockholm, University of Helsinki and University of Graz)
ESSCS – European Summer School in Cultural Studies with University of Copenhagen (Copenhagen Doctoral School of Cultural Studies), Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis, University of Giessen (International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture), Université de Paris VIII (École Doctorale Esthétique, sciences e technologies des arts), Institutum Studiorum Humanitatis Ljublana, University of Trondheim (PhD Programme in Humanities and the Arts) and University of Bern (Graduate School of the Arts and Humanities).
Critical Theory Network (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, University of Warwick and University of Sorbonne)
Co-tutelle
The PhD program has international co-tutelle agreements with Justus Liebig Universität Giessen (within the scope of the PhD-net), University of Copenhagen, and PUC – Rio.
Curriculum
1st YEAR
1. semester
Practices, Policies and Contexts of Cultural Analysis
Academic Writing
Elective I
Elective II
Elective III
2. semester
Metaculture
Elective IV
Elective V
Summer School
2nd YEAR
3. semester
Research Seminar I
Writing Lab I
Thesis
4. semester
Research Seminar II
Writing Lab II
Thesis
3rd YEAR
5. semester
Writing Lab III
Thesis
6. semester
Writing Lab IV
Thesis
4th YEAR
Thesis
You can also find the curriculum here →
Schedules
Schedules are available for enrolled students at MYFCH.
Seminars usually take place from 5pm to 9.30pm but some classes and activities may take place at an earlier time.
Applications 25-26
Early Bird: January 20 to March 5, 2025
1st phase: March 20 to April 29, 2025
2nd phase: May 15 to June 23, 2025
Last round: June 24 to September 1, 2025
Admission Requirements
- BA and MA Degree preferably in a related field of studies (Humanities and Social Sciences);
- Interview (interviews can be held through Skype).
- English Language Certificate – minimum CEFR C1 (taken after January 2023)*:
- IELTS 7.0 minimum;
- TOEFL 100 + minimum 24 in all skills;
- Cambridge Advanced Certificate;
- Cambridge Proficiency;
- CEFR C1;
- Aptis ESOL Advanced C1 minimum.
*The Faculty of Human Sciences does not accept Certificates of exams taken at home/online.
Candidates from English-speaking countries (native speakers) and candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree in English, and necessarily in English-speaking countries (specifically: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America), are exempt from presenting the C1 English language certificate. Other countries will not be considered and candidates will have to present a valid English certificate.
Candidates without a Language Certificate may sit for a test at the Faculty (cost: €150.00); result of minimum C1 required.
Available test dates:
- July 11 | 10.00am – 12.00pm (written) – July 14: 10.00am (oral)
- April 9 | 2.00pm – 4.00pm (written) – April 11: 3.30pm (oral)
- May 5 | 9.30am -11.30am (written) – May 7: 2.00pm (oral)
- June 25 | 10.00am – 12.00pm (written) – June 27: 10.00am (oral)
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae in English;
- University Transcripts of Records – Original documents should be presented until October 30;
- Preliminary research project (max. 15.000 characters);
- Motivation Letter (2 pages max.) – the motivation letter should introduce you to the selection committee, explain why you have chosen this program and why you would be a good fit;
- English Language Certificate;
- Identification document (Passport or ID card);
- Vaccination record (tetanus vaccine updated) – upon registration.
Besides those mentioned above, any other documents that Applicants find relevant to their application may be included.
All Degrees earned abroad, Transcripts and Certificates must be duly translated into Portuguese (if not in English, French or Spanish).
Tuition and other fees
Application fee (early bird): 135€
Application fee (1st phase): 155€
Application fee (2nd phase): 200€
Registration:
Students from EU and Portuguese speaking countries: 260€
International students: 320€
Note: the application, registration, and first tuition fee are non-refundable
First year
- Registration fee
- Students from EU and Portuguese speaking countries: 260€
- International students: 320€
- Tuition fees (5 installments per semester):
- Students from EU and Portuguese speaking countries: 395€/month
- International students: 450€/month
Second, third and fourth years
- Registration fee
- Students from EU and Portuguese speaking countries 260€
- International students 320€
- Tuition fees (5 installments per semester):
- Students from EU and Portuguese speaking countries: 275€/month
- International students: 312.50€/month (FCT scholarship holders: 275€/month)
Note: All fees may be subject to minor changes – they are usually updated every year in May.
The Lisbon Consortium 