PhD programs

The School of Arts at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (SoA) is based in Porto and offers graduate and undergraduate courses in Film, Music, Sound, Photography, New Media, Heritage and Conservation. SoA is currently accepting applications for its international master and PhD programs, as well as for its entire academic offer. 

The SoA presents an intense cultural program, with artists in residence (former residents include Matías Piñeiro, Ben Russel, Ana Vaz, Salomé Lamas), a cycle of conferences with special guests, and a periodic calendar of exhibitions at the School’s exhibition space. In 2024, SoA’s annual program of conferences, concerts, exhibitions and performances will focus on Reviewing Historical Silences and Omissions. The program, under the title of It Wasn’t Cabral, will also be thoroughly discussed in Porto Summer School on Art & Cinema.

PhD in Science, Technology and Arts 
The PhD in Science, Technology and Arts was established with the goal of developing a study program where artists, scientists and researchers from different backgrounds can develop a multidisciplinary research in the realm of artistic practices. This program proposes a curriculum that explores subjects related to the conceptual, creative and technological aspects of the artistic process, as well as its relationship with the fundamental humanities and social sciences. In addition to the available courses, the PhD researchers may freely attend to any course offered at the SoA, acquiring practical and technical skills important for their doctoral research. 

Research projects can take advantage of the SoA’s facilities, equipment and laboratorial infrastructure. 

Enrolled researchers are encouraged to undertake some of the following seminars: Art, Culture and Society / Cinema / Procedural Art / Sonic Arts / Science, Technology and Art / Animation / Human-Machine Interfaces / Curatorial Research / Moving Image / Digital fabrication / Instrument Design / Art criticism and critical studies / Digital restoration / Artificial Intelligence / Performance. 

For more information please contact the PhD coordinator: jagomes [​at​] ucp.pt. 

PhD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
This PhD was created with the goal of promoting studies in higher academic level in Conservation and Restoration Studies for conservators-restorers, Fine Arts specialists, architects, civil engineers, archeologists, art historians, digital humanities experts and other heritage sciences professionals.  

Answering to present challenges in the area, a broadband curricular program was established in order to promote interdisciplinary and cross-cutting research. 

Some of the topics covered are: Material and Technical Studies of Art and Cultural Property / Issues related with Conservation-Restoration practice / Theory and Epistemology of Restoration/ New Paradigms and trends in Conservation / Preventive Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage / Green Conservation / Sustainable Conservation strategies / Conservation and Restoration in the Post Digital Era 

For the accomplishment of this PhD the SoA counts with several laboratories and workshops, as well as with relevant national and international partnerships. 

For more information please contact the PhD coordinator: evieira@ucp.pt. 

International master programs 
The Master in Cinema is an advanced training in contemporary cinema, allowing students to develop their creative and technical skills based in individual projects in coordination with the SoA professors, visiting artists and filmmakers.  

The Master in Sound and Image—New Media Art track promotes creative innovation across various artistic practices in thorough discussion between professor and student, as well as tutorial guidance by visiting artists.  

The Master in Management for the Creative Industries promotes the development of creativity oriented interdisciplinary skills, combining cultural, arts, entrepreneurial and business skills. 

Funding and grants 
As PhD student you can apply for an individual PhD Studentship from FCT (expected deadline: end of March). Additionally, the School of Arts has three distinct research centers: CITAR (Research Center for Science and Technology of the Arts—evaluated as excellent by the FCT in 2019), CCD and CCR, with ongoing projects and research grant opportunities.