Doctorate

With a doctorate from IKMZ, you demonstrate your scientific expertise in the analysis of mediated (mass and self mass) communication. It clearly shows that you can carry out independent scientific work and generate insights into the media and information society. The writing of PhD thesis is the main component. In addition, you will complete modules worth 12 ECTS credits. Details are regulated by the doctoral regulations.

Students who have a degree that is recognized by the University of Zurich (Master or equivalent) can complete a dissertation at IKMZ. It is possible to write the thesis in English. Passive German language skills are, however, highly recommended.

The Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is the organizational and administrative umbrella for all PhD subjects offered by the University of Zurich Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The Graduate School is there to promote junior scholars and support and advise PhD candidates and the faculty throughout a doctoral degree. It promotes young researchers and supports and advises the doctoral students or the faculty during the entire duration of a doctorate. Information on doctoral studies at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Zurich can be found on the website of the Graduate School. Your first point of contact is the PhD Coordinator Social Sciences.

A wide range of courses is available to doctoral students. This includes regular colloquia at the IKMZ and methods courses specifically for doctoral students in the social sciences as well as various interdisciplinary events (interdisciplinary competencies, university didactics, language courses).

Each year, Democracy Studies additionally offers a limited number of places for outstanding doctoral students in the social sciences with an interest in democracy studies.

Democracy Studies course offer fall 23:

•    9th Swiss Summer School in Democracy Studies - Democracy and Peace
•    Democracy Studies Module II - Empirical Approaches to Democracy
•    Democracy Studies Workshop Democracy in Practice: Democracy goes to School

The prerequisite for acceptance of a doctoral project is a completed master's degree with an outstanding thesis in communication studies and media research.

A further prerequisite for admission is the binding consent of two lecturers with the right to confer a doctorate who meet the requirements for the composition of the supervisory committee.

All admissions information can be found on the Graduate School website.

Prof. Dr. Mark Eisenegger (Public Sphere & Society)

Prof. Dr. Frank Esser (International & Comparative Media Research)

Prof. Dr. Thomas Friemel (Media Use & Effects)

Prof. Dr. Eszter Hargittai (Internet Use & Society)

Prof. Dr. Otfried Jarren (emeritus, no new supervisions accepted) (Media & Politics)

Prof. Dr. Michael Latzer (Media Change & Innovation)

Prof. Dr. Mike S. Schäfer (Science Communication)

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Siegert (Media Economics & Management)

Prof. Dr. Daniel Süss (Media Socialization & Media Literacy)

Prof. Dr. Werner Wirth (Media Psychology & Effects)

Prof. Dr. Natascha Just (Media & Internet Governance)

Prof. Dr. Thomas Zerback (Political Communication)

Prof. Dr. Nadine Strauss (Strategic Communication & Media Management)

For doctoral students who started their doctorate before HS 2019, the following regulations apply:

Individual Doctorate (12 ECTS)
The individual doctorate is worth 12 ECTS points. These include the Communication Science subject area (8 ECTS points) and transferable skills (4 ECTS points). The transferable skills courses consist of range of options, including language courses.

Obtain a «confirmation of participation» for publications, summer schools, conference contributions, etc. Complete the «ECTS-Anrechnung» form, have it signed by the professor supervising your work and then forward it to the study program coordinator.

Structured Doctoral Program (30 ECTS)

The “Media and Communication Science” doctoral program facilitates dissertation projects in the communication sciences. To complete the program, you need to write a dissertation and also undertake courses worth 30 ECTS points. At least 22 of those ECTS points must belong to the “subject-specific skills” area and at least 6 ECTS points come from the “transferable skills” area.

In addition to the compulsory “Doctoral Colloquium” module, various additional modules from the group of compulsory electives and group of electives must also be completed; these are detailed in the study guide.

Obtain a «confirmation of participation» for publications, summer schools, conference contributions, etc. Complete the «ECTS-Anrechnung» form, have it signed by the professor supervising your work and then forward it to the study program coordinator.