FAQ

SINTA Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SINTA provide funding for my PhD studies?

No, SINTA does not provide funding for PhD studies. You will need to secure financing through options such as an assistant position at the University of Bern or the Bern Academy of the Arts, a third-party funded position in a research project, a personal scholarship, or employment in the non-academic sector. More information.

After finishing my PhD, do I hold a Doctorate in Studies in the Arts?

No! After successfully completing the Graduate School, completing and publishing your dissertation the University of Bern awards you the title PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and you will then hold a PhD in the respective field within which you conducted your research (e.g. Musicology, Art History etc.). Studies in the Arts is only the name of our Graduate School as it is aimed at PhD-students who conduct artistic research. However, once you have successfully completed the doctoral program Studies in the Arts, you will receive a diploma supplement that lists all your achievements and qualifications in the field of arts and sciences.

Can I do a PhD at the University of Bern with my Master’s degree?

In general, everyone who has a Master’s degree awarded by a Swiss University or an equivalent institution with a 5.0 grade point average (magna cum laude) is eligible to start their doctoral studies at the University of Bern. Depending on the kind of Master’s degree you have been awarded, further rules apply. This includes students who graduated from a university of applied sciences. To see which master’s degree enables students to start their PhD at the University of Bern click here.

Why does my first supervisor have to be signed at the University of Bern?

The SINTA is a Graduate School directed by the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Bern and the Bern Academy of the Arts. Of the two, only the University of Bern is allowed to award the title PhD. Thus, your first supervisor must be a professor at the University of Bern.

Why does my second supervisor have to be signed at the Bern Academy of the Arts?

The SINTA is aimed at artistic researchers – this means all our members are also engaged in the practical arts. While the University of Bern’s main focus is the academic evaluation of research, the Bern Academy of the Arts is qualified to examine the practical aspects of art projects. With a supervisor from both institutions, both fields are covered to support you in your artistic research.

How many courses/ECTS do I have to take in the SINTA program additionally to my PhD?

To complete the doctoral program with the Diploma Supplement, you must attend courses worth 20 ECTS credits. 12 of these ECTS you will gather by attending compulsory events or courses and 8 ECTS you will gather by attending elective modules.

Are there any other courses I have to take?

Depending on your degree, the institute in which you are writing your dissertation may require you to earn additional credits ranging from 30 to 60 ECTS. For instance, if you have a Master's degree in Design and are pursuing a Doctorate in Social Anthropology, you will need to earn 30–60 ECTS credits in Social Anthropology. Your primary supervisor will decide how many ECTS credits you need to earn. Please note that an additional 20 ECTS credits from the SINTA programme will be added to this total. Therefore, in the most extreme case, you will have to earn a total of 80 ECTS credits during your dissertation.

What are the benefits of joining SINTA for my PhD studies?

The path to a doctorate can be very steep, exhausting, and lonely—an effective remedy for this path: joining a doctoral program such as SINTA! If you join our doctoral program, , you will no longer be alone in the wilderness of academia, but join a group of researchers who are in the same boat with you. You will be part of a community that not only shares the ups and downs of doctoral studies with you, but also your enthusiasm for research in the arts. In addition to the social connection, you will benefit from a membership in the following ways:

• We invite exclusive and renowned researchers whom you have always wanted to meet.
• We offer you beautiful workspaces free of charge, where you can meet your fellow students every day to write, work, discuss, and eat lunch together.
• Do you need artistic resources? With our network at the Bern Academy of the Arts, we can help you access resources, studios, and more.
• Are you going abroad for fieldwork, a conference or doing archival research? We provide financial support.
• Can't seem to find the time to write? Take part in our writing retreats, enjoy full board and lodging, and concentrate solely on writing for a week.
• Need to print something? Have a meeting? You can use our printers, meeting rooms, and much more free of charge.

All in all, our courses, workshops, and dual supervision are there for you so that you can build a successful, sustainable network during your dissertation period.

Do I have to speak German to apply for a SINTA membership?

Yes, you need to understand German to follow the courses, but you can always respond in English during discussions. From time to time, we offer workshops exclusively in English (depending on the guests). However, passive knowledge of German is required.

How do I find a Supervisor if I don't know anyone at the University of Bern?

Prepare a dossier including your CV, a copy of your MA diploma, and a 1-2 page project description (including research questions, methods, theoretical framework, state of research, and relevant research fields). Send this dossier to SINTA Program Assistant Hannah Ambühl. Hannah Ambühl will respond with suggestions for potential supervisors.

I already know which supervisor is best suited to my project. How do I contact the professor?

You can write to the professor directly, but if you are unsure, you can always contact Hannah Ambühl first. Send your CV and 1-2 page project description (including research questions, methods, theoretical framework, state of research, and relevant research fields). Refer to the professor's research: Explain why you are a good fit.

Please avoid asking several potential supervisors at the same time.

How long does it take to get a PhD?

On average, it takes about 3-4 years to successfully finish your dissertation. However, it is common that PhD students who do not have a fully funded PhD-position and are otherwise employed to finance their studies take up to 6 years to finish their dissertation.

How much is the Semester fee?

As a PhD student at the University of Bern it is mandatory to be enrolled at the University of Bern for the duration of your studies. The fee for enrollment amounts to CHF 200.- per semester for PhD students. Additionally, there is a one time fee of CHF 100.- for the initial registration at the University of Bern and a promotion fee of CHF 300.- at the end of your studies.

I need a visa because I come from a third country. How does that work?

Doctoral students with a scholarship or continued salary payments (at least CHF 1,500 per month) are the norm. If you have such a scholarship or continued salary payments your visa application will be administered by SINTA you are not allowed to apply for a visa independently. You can enter the country as guest doctoral students without enrollment or as regular doctoral students with enrollment.

Doctoral students without a scholarship and without continued payment of wages must apply for a visa (student pursuing a doctorate) independently (without any support from the institute or SINTA). To do so, you must already have an agreement with your supervisors. You then  must register with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your  home country. You must prove that you have at least CHF 1,500 per month available for the duration of your planned stay, or at least for the first (and then for each subsequent) year (if living in Bern). This amount varies depending on the municipality of residence in Switzerland. When the immigration authorities receive the visa application, they contact the relevant office at the University of Bern, the KAB. The KAB then contacts SINTA or the relevant institute. The supervising professor must then confirm in writing that the doctoral students will not be involved in any research work. In this case, doctoral students must be enrolled. In general you are not allowed to pursue any work. This option should only be chosen in exceptional cases.