The Sibelius Academy doctoral schools to merge into a new Doctoral Programme and Research Centre in January 2026

By decision of the Dean, the Sibelius Academy doctoral schools DocMus and MuTri will merge at the beginning of 2026. The new unit will be called the Sibelius Academy Doctoral Programme and Research Centre (official translation of the unit to be confirmed).

“The aim of the merger is to strengthen the profile of doctoral education, increase collaboration, and clarify organisational structures. In the future, the joint programme may, for example, create new opportunities for research projects and interdisciplinary artistic work,” says Tuuli Talvitie, Vice-Dean responsible for research and doctoral education at the Sibelius Academy.

The reform will have little impact on the everyday work of doctoral researchers or the principal supervisors of degrees. The structure, scope, content, focus areas, and study tracks (artistic, research-based, and applied studies) will remain unchanged. Study guidance will continue in accordance with current practices, and the change will not affect supervisors’ roles or responsibilities.

The next application period for doctoral studies in music at the Sibelius Academy from 7 to 21 January 2026.

Applications for doctoral studies starting in spring 2026 will already be submitted to the new Doctoral Programme and Research Centre. Otherwise, the application process will remain the same as before. Applicants may choose the study track that best suits their interests and specialise, for example, in classical music, jazz, folk music, music education, composition, or music technology. Read more about applying.

Practices will be harmonised and further developed as part of the university-wide reform of doctoral education at Uniarts Helsinki. The website will be updated to reflect the new unit in early spring 2026.

Sibelius Academy doctoral education services can be contacted by email at siba.docedu@uniarts.fi.