The numbering refers to the corresponding sections in the University of Agder Philosophiae doctor (PhD) regulations. Amended and adopted by the Academic Affairs Committee 8 February 2021.
To section 5 Admission
In order to be admitted to the PhD – specialisation in Popular Music Performance the applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
- Master’s degree, subject at second degree level or similar in Music Performance
- Master’s degree, subject at second degree level or similar in Musicology
- Other professional music educations at the master’s level
- Other education or competence that the faculty consider as equal with regard to scope, level and contents
Regardless of educational background, it is required that basic components within popular music are included in the master’s degree, the subject at the secondary level or similar educations. These may be components/modules within music technology, studio work, improvisation, ensemble playing and leadership within popular music etc. In addition, it is a requirement that modules in musicological theory and method are included in the applicant’s master’s programme, subject at second degree level or similar. The content and scope of such prerequisites will be stipulated on the basis of the theme and scholarly profile of the thesis.
Applicants who are assessed as having insufficient theoretical and/or practical knowledge within popular music may be required to take additional examinations at a lower level. Alternatively, applicants may be given a syllabus which subsequently will be tested through a paper that must be passed or by an oral, possibly practical, examination. When the applicant’s prerequisites are considered to be insufficient at the time of admission, these must, as a rule, be tested and approved within a period of 6 months after admission.
The following applies to the specialisation Art in Context:
In order to be admitted to the PhD specialisation Art in Context, the applicant must hold a master’s degree, a subject at the secondary level or similar within the fields of music, theatre or visual arts, or from inter-aesthetical studies. Alternatively, the applicant must have prior learning and work experience that the faculty assesses as equal to the formal requirements.
The faculty will consider the relevance of the applicant’s master’s degree (or similar) in relation to the specific project applied for. This applies both to the professional base of the project and to the choice of thesis format, i.e. artistic/scientific or scientific. The project description must clarify the choice of thesis format.
Applicable to both specialisations:
Applications to the PhD programme will be processed quickly after the candidate has been offered a position at the faculty or an external cooperation agreement has been signed. The PhD administration at the faculty is responsible for applications being submitted in accordance with the PhD regulations.
The Dean processes the application for admission to the programme in consultation with the PhD programme manager in accordance with the regulations that apply to the application’s academic level, scope, progression, and available resources for completing the project.
The final decision concerning admission is made by the Dean.
In those cases where the PhD candidate is not employed by the faculty but is admitted through an application with other funding arrangements or through external agreements, the Dean will appoint an internal committee led by the person responsible for the specialisation to assess the candidate’s application. The internal committee submits a proposal to the Dean, who then makes the final decision concerning admission.
Revising the project description
At the beginning of the PhD project period, the candidate and the main supervisor will jointly assess the need for revisions to the project description before commencing their supervisory relationship. The main supervisor will approve the revised project description.
To section 6 The PhD agreement
The agreement is to be signed by the candidate, the main supervisor, the PhD programme manager and the Dean. In the case of external candidates, the external employer should sign the agreement.
Significant changes regarding matters dealt with in the agreement must be approved by the Dean in consultation with the main supervisor and the PhD programme manager. The Faculty Director will approve minor changes.
To section 7 Supervision
The faculty appoints the candidate’s supervisors in consultation with the Head of Department and the person responsible for the specialisation.
For employees in PhD Fellowship positions at the Faculty of Fine Arts, there is a duty of residence during the period of employment in accordance with regulations concerning academic positions in the state sector.
The candidate must complete a 90% seminar.
To section 8 The course and training component
If approved by the faculty, national and international researcher courses and PhD courses may be included in the course and training component. Presentations at international conferences may be specifically recognised as a part of an elective course in the programme.
All courses and teaching activities that are to be included in the course – and training component must have a final assessment.
It is assumed that courses etc. that are included in the course – and training component are not at the same time part of the basis for admission or are included in previously completed units of education.
The faculty gives the final approval of the candidate’s individual course – and training component.
In addition, the following applies to the specialisation in Popular Music Performance:
The general aim of the programme is to further develop the candidate’s qualifications for research and artistic activities and other work where a high level of scientific insight and method are required. The course – and training component is to provide insight into central themes in research ethics, research method and theory of science in connection with the practices of popular music performance, and also insight into a selection of themes and theories which are relevant to the candidate’s area of specialisation.
The aim of the training is on the one hand to function as a support for the work with the thesis, especially regarding insight into foundational problems and issues of theory and method, and on the other hand to give the candidate a broader professional insight as preparation for continued academic work. The need for broad professional insight is achieved primarily through training in the theory of science and method as well as through analytical theory and method within popular music research.
Special syllabi may be included as studies of literature or methods relevant to the thesis. Descriptions of subjects taken as special syllabi must be supplied on a separate form which clarifies the content, level, scope and assessment method of each special syllabus.
Examinations in theory subjects will be assessed as passed or not passed, a ‘pass’ signifying that the result is at a high level. More information about the course – and training component can be found in the programme description.
In addition, the following applies to the specialisation Art in Context:
Information about the course- and training component can be found in the programme description.
To section 13 Submission
The application for assessment of the thesis should be sent to the PhD – administration at the Faculty of Fine Arts, which will process the application.
To section 14 Appointment of an assessment committee
The Dean appoints the assessment committee upon a proposal from the person responsible for the specialisation, the main supervisor and the Head of Department.