
PhD in Art and Art Sciences – Catholic University of Louvain
Catholic University of Louvain – the doctorate in Arts and Art Sciences is also governed by agreements between the University and the Higher Schools of Arts (Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels, Arts2–Arts au carré, Royal Conservatory of Brussels, School of Graphic Research, Higher Institute of Performing Arts and Broadcasting Techniques).
Louvain | Belgium
PhD in Art and Art Sciences
- Fine Arts – Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Drawing, Decorative Art, Scenographic Art
- Multimedia Arts, Audio-visual Techniques and Media Production
- Design – Graphic Design; Industrial Design; Fashion Design; Textile Design…
- Art Curating
- Musical and Vocal Performance
- Theory, Analysis and Musical Composition
- Music and Media
- Other fields
Usually 4 years
Private University
- PhD fully funded and with a stipend by the university
- PhD Fully or partially externally funded, with a stipend, through private or public foundations, scholarships, grants, one or more companies, or public institutions that you have to find on your own
- PhD Fully funded with a stipend by the University but you have both to work on the PHD and complete a number of teaching hours
It is important to know that many universities offer different funding options and public and private grants available to students who match the application criteria. Before applying, it is a good idea to check the institutions’ websites and inquire about the options available to you.
Many universities require applicants to pay fees such as matriculation or dissertation fees, even if they offer a fully funded programme with or without a stipend.
Fees:
UCLouvain is a private university but is subsidized by the government of the French Community of Belgium, which is why its course fees are relatively low. To enrol for a PhD, students pay €835*(full fee) the first year and €66*(administrative costs) the next years. Course fees are the same at all subsidized universities in the French Community of Belgium. *Prices 2024-2025 Further information >
Funding resources:
There are many options available for funding doctoral studies. Some examples include an assistantship, a grant provided by UCLouvain (e.g. the Special Research Fund, FSR) or by an external (e.g. Fund for Scientific Research – FNRS) or even international funding provider, funding as part of a research project for a company, income from your current employment, etc. In any case, it is essential that you think about how you will fund the years of research required so as to ensure optimum progress and a successful outcome. Current legislation does not allow students to finance their studies through student jobs alone.
- Private defence: the private defence (a scientific exercise, both written and oral) is the first step towards finalizing your thesis. Based on this, the PhD examination board will decide on the admissibility of your thesis and whether to authorize you to defend it publicly.
- Public defence: during this public viva voce, you will present the results of your research. Upon successful completion of this final stage in the process, the PhD examination board will grant you a doctorate from UCL.
https://www.uclouvain.be/en/valodoc/studies
https://www.uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/fial/doctorat-art-et-sciences-de-l-art
The doctorate in art and art sciences is open to candidates holding a master’s degree (with advanced focus) from Higher Schools of Art, and to candidates holding a diploma deemed equivalent.
| Valérie Martin – Administrative manager of the doctorate | valerie.martin@uclouvain.be General enquiries – Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels | info@arba-esa.be General enquiries – School of Graphic Research | info@erg.be General enquiries – Arts2–Arts au carré | info@artsaucarre.be General enquiries – INSAS – Higher Institute of Performing Arts and Broadcasting Techniques | info@insas.be Royal Conservatory of Brussels | If you wish to submit a project, please do so before 31 October to the management of the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels (direction@conservatoire.be). |
| https://www.uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/fial/doctorat-art-et-sciences-de-l-art Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels – https://arba-esa.be/en/research/presentation School of Graphic Research – https://wiki.erg.be/m/#Doctorat_et_recherche Arts2–Arts au carré – https://www.artsaucarre.be/recherche/doctorat/ INSAS – Higher Institute of Performing Arts and Broadcasting Techniques | https://insas.be/ Royal Conservatory of Brussels | https://www.conservatoire.be/en/study/harma-1/ |
The aim of this doctorate is to develop an original and personal thesis project based on the interaction between artistic production and theoretical reflection. This dual perspective necessitates collaboration between universities and art schools in terms of doctoral training and the supervision of artistic research. This collaboration is reflected in the joint guidance of the project by an academic supervisor from the university and a co-supervisor from an art school.
Info for international students:
If your request for admission is accepted, the University will send to you by mail an admission letter (“Autorisation d’inscription”). You can use this document to ask for a visa at the Belgian Embassy or Consulate. If you are a citizen of one of the 28 countries of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway or Switzerland, you don’t need to apply for a visa but you have to register (within eight days upon arrival) at the Municipal service (aka Administration Communale) of your residency. Further information >
https://www.uclouvain.be/en/valodoc/frequently-asked-questions
Languages used within the program and for thesis writing and discussion:
French or English Almost all PhD programmes can be done in English. However, most lectures at UCLpuvain are given in French. If you wish to improve your knowledge of French, you may register to take French courses at the Language institute of the UCL (ILV). Further information >

