Doctoral studies
The Department of Semiotics at the University of Tartu is one of the leading centres of semiotics in Europe, with deep roots in semiotics of culture and biosemiotics it has become a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment. Works of Juri Lotman, the founder of the world-renowned Tartu-Moscow school of semiotics, and the forerunner of biosemiotics Jakob von Uexküll form the cornerstones of Tartu semiotics research. Department of Semiotics offers a creative research environment and a fascinating group of scholars bringing together wide range of research themes in semiotics. The library holds an excellent collection of semiotic literature, in English as well as in Russian; including also the T.A. Sebeok's memorial library. Semiotics doctoral programme in Tartu lasts 4 years and gives altogether 240 ECTS.
Courses in the doctoral programme are given in Estonian and English, international students can replace the courses in Estonian with independent work. We also provided a series of general and special courses on various branches of semiotics in English, both from local and visiting scholars. Thus every student can find in Tartu all the possibilities that meet his or her scholarly needs in the best way.
Semiotics PhD program manager is Anti Randviir.
Further information regarding admission can be found on the admissions page.
General information for international applicants regarding the admission on various levels can be found on the UT main admissions page.
Procedure for awarding doctorates
Progress review of doctoral students in the faculty of arts and humanities