Introduction
This multi-disciplinary program promotes excellence and immerses doctoral candidates in research that lies at the crossroads between Science, Technology and the Humanities and the Social Sciences. It focuses on preparing students to deal with significant research problems in Cultural Heritage and Archaeology that can effectively utilize advances and applications in digital technologies and scientific methods. Indicative fields of specialization include Digital Heritage, Visualization in Art and Architecture, Archaeological Sciences, Built Heritage, Cultural Landscapes, Human Bioarchaeology, and Archaeobotany.
Set in the research environment of The Cyprus Institute, the doctoral program provides the necessary educational setting where excellence in education and research are fostered through interdisciplinary collaboration on regional problems of global significance. Doctoral candidates are directly engaged in research activities and hands-on training in the use of specialized labs and infrastructure in the context of CyI’s research projects and activities. In addition, Ph.D. students benefit from training and research opportunities made possible in the framework of CyI’s broad network of local, regional and international collaborations.
The Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) provides an excellent research framework that supports and fosters Ph.D. candidates’ research interests and work. More specifically, STARC contributes to the study of heritage and archaeology through the development of broad research inquiries that foster cross-disciplinary collaborations between the humanities and the natural, material and computational sciences. In this context, the STARC is dedicated to the advancement of scientific applications and technologies through its meaningful and scholarly use.
The Figure below shows the multi-disciplinary nature of such a proposed Ph.D. program integrating technology, computer, and social sciences with the humanities, keeping in mind that “Heritage”, at its most broad definition, deals with anything, individuals in a given society, decide it is important for them to preserve and transmit to future generations. As such, the listed courses address the program’s interdisciplinary approach to the field. The Cyprus Institute is an ideal location for such a program, given its profile as an innovative and dynamic incubator of new ideas based on the life-long experience of internationally reputed scholars and the cross-disciplinary activities of its research centers.
Students learn and develop their research interests at the nexus of science, technology, the humanities, and the social sciences.
The program prepares students to handle significant research questions in the humanities with the use of digital technologies, as well as utilize an extensive range of scientific methods and applications for research in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, thus helping future scholars to acquire and extend the crucial body of knowledge in this emerging research field. Doctoral Candidates carry out research within internationally recognized research teams in the fields of:
Digital Cultural Heritage
Visualization and Virtual Environments for Art, Architecture, and Archaeology
Art Characterization
Archaeological Sciences
Built Heritage and Cultural Landscapes
Human Bioarchaeology
Archaeobotany
Program Structure and Requirements
To satisfy the requirements of the Ph.D. program, a student must earn a total of 180 ECTS-credits, of which 50 ECTS-credits are from courses. The program has a duration of at least three years. A general indicative schedule of the program is displayed in the table below.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Semester 1
2 Courses
Research
Semester 2
2 Courses
Research
Semester 3
1 Course
Research / Comprehensive Examination
Semester 4
Research
Semester 5
Research
Semester 6
Research
Thesis writing and Ph.D. defense examination
Students typically take up to 30 ECTS per semesterPlease note that this table is indicative
Program Courses
DCH 500Frontiers in New technologies for the Documentation of Cultural Heritage
DCH 502Frontiers in Theory and Methods in Cultural Heritage Sciences
DCH 504Cultural Heritage Knowledge Management, Representation and Transfer in the Digital Era
DCH 506Adding the nth Dimension In Cultural Heritage Research
DCH 508Developing and Designing the Digital Tools of Tomorrow
DCH 510Research Management: fundraising, team working, and scientific writing
DCH 512Tangible and Intangible Heritage
DCH 514Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
DCH 516Advanced Topics in Archaeological Science and Bioarchaeology
DCH 518Advanced Topics in Built Heritage and Cultural Landscapes
*These courses are complemented by lectures, seminars & workshops organized by STARC.
General Admissions Information and Requirements
The doctoral programs are highly selective and are designed for research-oriented students aspiring to become leaders in their respective fields of study. Students who are admitted to the program are immersed in a rigorous international research environment that will require a full-time commitment for the duration of the program.
To be considered for admission to a Ph.D. program, a student must have the following:
1. A Master's degree from a recognized accredited institution, with a strong academic record in a major field of study and background relevant to the proposed graduate-level studies.
2. Proof of English language proficiency
If your first language is not English, you must provide recent evidence that your spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the program to which you are applying. Proof of English language proficiency may be demonstrated by submitting one of the following certificates (or equivalent as deemed by the Admissions Committee).
IELTS Academic Version: at least 6.5 (taken within the past 2 years)
TOEFL Internet-based Test: at least 79 (taken within the past 2 years)
GCSE/IGCSE: Grade C or above (preferably with speaking)
IELTS or TOEFL is preferred.
The English Language proficiency test requirement may be waived if you have/will graduate from a higher education institution in which English is the medium of instruction and communication or if you have a minimum of eighteen months of work experience in a country that CyI considers to be “majority English speaking”, no more than two years prior to the proposed date of registration.
3. Strong computational skills to allow competent search and analysis appropriate for the selected field of study.
Review and Selection Process for Doctoral Program
The Admissions Committee reviews applications and makes its decision on the basis of the student’s academic merit and the match between the Institute’s research activities and the student’s research interests, i.e. Cyi’s capacity to support the students’ Master’s research in terms of facilities, infrastructure, and supervision.
Candidates may be asked for a personal interview. If students are abroad, they may be interviewed through a video conference call.
Criteria and processes for the recognition of previous studies and credit transfers
All CyI’s Ph.D. and Master’s degree programs adhere to the Bologna Process second and third cycle degrees and use the ECTS credit system, ensuring that its degrees are recognized around the world. The ECTS system utilizes a credit concept to compare courses by workload for a typical student. At the CyI, one (1) ECTS is calculated as being the equivalent of 25 hours of workload, both contact and distance learning hours.
Previous degrees are recognized if students have attended an institution(s) that is/are accredited by the appropriate competent body in the country in which it operates. This is stated clearly in the admissions section of our website.
Recognition of ECTS credits
In the cases where a student wishes to transfer ECTS credits acquired previously towards another degree or outside any degree, the Mentor/Dissertation Advisory Committee of the student will assess the relevance of the specific credits in terms of learning objectives and a decision will be made regarding the transfer. The decision will have to be approved by the Academic Committee. A quota of up to 1/3 of the program requirements can be credited from transfer credits if the Academic Committee approves.
How to Apply
The Cyprus Institute offers the opportunity to apply for a Ph.D. program through our Online Application System.
Documents to be submitted with the online application
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Academic Degree Certificates and Transcripts
An official copy of the Master’s degree and official transcript(s) of past academic work and studies are required. The transcript(s) should include a detailed list of the courses/seminars taken along with the grades received in each course and a GPA. The Institute accepts Master’s degrees obtained from a recognized accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent. If an applicant has not completed a Master’s degree yet, a transcript(s) that list coursework and grades thus far, and the expected date of completion of the Master’s degree, should be provided.
Transcripts must be in English: either issued in English by the Higher Education Institution or if the Higher Education Institution cannot issue a transcript in English then you must provide a duly certified official translation in English.
3. English Language certificates
If your first language is not English, you must provide recent evidence that your spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the program to which you are applying. Proof of English language proficiency may be demonstrated by submitting one of the following certificates (or equivalent as deemed by the Admissions Committee).
IELTS Academic version: at least 6.5 (taken within the past 2 years
TOEFL Internet-based Test: at least 79 (taken within the past 2 years)
GCSE/IGCSE: Grade C or above (preferably with speaking)
IELTS or TOEFL is preferred
English Language proficiency. test requirement may be waived if you have/will graduate from a higher education institution in which English is the medium of instruction and communication or if you have a minimum of eighteen months of work experience in a country that CyI considers to be “majority English speaking” no more than two years prior to the proposed date of registration.
4. GRE Score Report for General GRE test (optional)
5. Statement of Intent
A statement that describes current academic work and future professional plans in relation to one of the Cyprus Institute’s Research Centers and doctoral program to which the student is applying. It should point to the educational, research and personal experiences that shaped the student’s interest in the proposed field of study. It should outline the research area that the applicant is interested in and the intended research topics to be investigated while in residence at the CyI. It should concisely mention examples of the applicant’s work that explain academic maturity and potential to meet the expectations of the intense graduate program of study at The Cyprus Institute. It should also briefly explain how the work would be innovative and useful to other researchers in the field. The statement should not exceed 1500 words and must be written in English
6. References
Applicants are requested to provide contact details of at least two faculty members or other professionals who are well acquainted with the applicants' academic, research and professional work and are willing to provide references.
Admissions Timeline for Doctoral Program
Students can be admitted twice per year, in the Fall (October) and the Spring (February). The exact date of the beginning of the semesters is decided by the Academic Committee and displayed on the website and in the prospectus.
Application Deadline
Fall Semester
EarlyAdmissions
RegularAdmissions
LateAdmissions
Open for EU and International Students.
Open for EU and International Students.
Open for EU and International Students who do not require a visa
Applicants will be prioritized for consideration for our Dean's Distinguished Scholarships and a limited number of Research Assistantships / Scholarships.
Applicants will be considered for a limited number of Research Assistantships / Scholarships (subject to availability).
Applicants will be considered for a limited number of Research Assistantships / Scholarships (subject to availability).
ApplicationDeadline
December 20
April 1
July 3
Spring Semester
RegularAdmissions
LateAdmissions
Open for EU and International Students.
Open for EU and International Students who do not require a visa
Applicants will be prioritized for consideration for our Dean's Distinguished Scholarships and a limited number of Research Assistantships / Scholarships.
Applicants will be considered for a limited number of Research Assistantships / Scholarships (subject to availability).
ApplicationDeadline
September 15
December 1
International students should apply early to avoid disappointment due to migration deadlines.
Applicants are informed approximately six weeks after the respective application deadlines.
The dates listed in the sections above are indicative and may change.
