Admission process for the artistic doctoral programme

Admission to the artistic doctoral programme is based on a three-stage, qualitative selection process.

1. Applicants must submit the following application materials in either German or English:

• A copy of their Master’s thesis, Diploma thesis, or comparable written work gained in a subject-appropriate Masters-, Diploma, or equivalent course of study
• A motivation letter
• A description and documentation of previous artistic and academic studies, artistic experience, and competencies
• A written agreement of a principal supervisor at the Anton Bruckner Private University and a co-supervisor at a partnering educational institution (both academic supervision and artistic supervision are required)
  More information and a list of supervisors at ABPU
• A research exposé for the proposed dissertation project (topic, research questions, methods, literature)

If doctoral students decide to write their dissertation in English an adequate command of the English language is required. We therefore recommend that applicants are proficient in English to level C1 as set out in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is not necessary to provide written evidence with your application. However, the Admissions Board may ask you to submit evidence of language skills after consideration of your exposé and the oral admission exam.

Click here for guidelines on the development of a research exposé for the application.

Click here for a checklist intended to help you in the application process.

2. A review of the fulfilment of the qualitative admission requirements will be conducted by the Vice President for Research on the basis of the written submission.

3. In the case of positive assessment of the written submission, applicants will be invited to give an oral presentation of their doctoral project before the doctoral committee in an admission colloquium setting in order to demonstrate their academic and artistic potential for the accomplishment of the doctoral programme. Applicants will present their research concept and engage in a subsequent discussion about the research questions, the current state of research and literature, and methods. 

Application deadline for entry in the Winter semester of 2024/2025: 17.02.2024 

Please submit your application via the applicant portal of the Anton Bruckner Private University:

https://bonline.bruckneruni.at/bonline/ABU_BEWERBUNG.init?pSprache=EN

After entering your data, you will receive an e-mail with a link to upload your application documents.