Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Department of Theatre Studies, University of the Peloponnese 

THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PELOPONNESE 
(238th Senate Meeting) 

Having regard to: 

1. The provisions of Presidential Decree (P.D.) 13/2000, Establishment of the University of the Peloponnese (Government Gazette 12/A/1-2-2000), as in force. 

2. The provisions of Law 4610/2019 (Government Gazette 70/A/07.05.2019), “Synergies between Universities and Technological Educational Institutes (T.E.I.s), access to higher education, experimental schools, the General State Archives, and other provisions.” 

3. The provisions of Law 4957/2022 (Government Gazette 141/A/21.07.2022), “New Horizons in Higher Education Institutions: Strengthening the quality, functionality, and connection of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with society, and other provisions,” and in particular Article 79, paragraph 2(b). 

4. Decision No. 1 of 26-05-2023 adopted at the 7th Meeting of the Postgraduate Studies Committee, as transmitted through its document No. 4865/15-06-2023. 

5. The discussion held during the 238th Meeting of the Senate (06.07.2023). 

6. The preliminary approval and adoption of the draft Regulations by the 106th Meeting (12.07.2024) of the General Assembly of the Department of Theatre Studies. 

Approves / decides upon the Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Department of Theatre Studies as follows:. 

Article 1 

General Principles 

The third cycle of studies at the University of the Peloponnese concerns the organization of Doctoral Study Programs (D.S.P.), with a minimum duration of three (3) academic years. Successful completion of these programs leads to Level 8 of the National and European Qualifications Framework, in accordance with Article 47 of Law 4763/2020. 

The doctoral studies of the Department of Theatre Studies aim to promote original scientific research and lead to the award of a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) – following the preparation and successful defense of a doctoral dissertation. The degree certifies the conduct of original scientific research and the holder’s substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the academic field of theatre studies and, more broadly, in the related disciplines to which the dissertation topic belongs and which fall within the fields of expertise cultivated by the Department’s supervising faculty members. 

Third-cycle study programs include the mandatory preparation of a doctoral dissertation on a subject related to the Department’s academic field. They may also include an independent doctoral coursework program consisting of attendance and successful completion of an integrated cycle of courses or other educational and research activities corresponding to at least thirty (30) European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits. 

Article 2 

Competent Bodies / Committees 

The bodies responsible for the organization of doctoral studies at the Institution are: 

a) the Senate of the University of the Peloponnese, and 

b) the Department General Assembly  

Article 3 

Criteria for Determining the Minimum and Maximum Number of Admitted Doctoral Candidates 

The principal criteria taken into consideration for determining the minimum and maximum number of doctoral candidates are: 

• the adequate staffing of the Department and any collaborating departments, institutions, or organizations with teaching, administrative, and technical personnel; 

• the maximum number of doctoral dissertations that each faculty member may supervise; 

• the necessary technological equipment; 

• the infrastructure of the Department and any collaborating departments, institutions, or organizations (e.g., teaching facilities, with particular reference to any required laboratory spaces and their equipment, libraries, etc.). 

Article 4 

Admission Requirements and Criteria for Doctoral Candidates, Selection Procedure, and Application Process 

4.1 Admission Requirements and Criteria 

The following persons are eligible to apply for admission to a doctoral studies program: 

a) Holders of a Master's Degree awarded by a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Greece or abroad. 

b) Graduates of an undergraduate study program of a Higher Education Institution (HEI) with a minimum duration of five (5) years, corresponding to three hundred (300) ECTS credits. 

c) In special cases, for example where candidates have distinguished scientific achievements (publications, research), artistic work, or professional experience relevant to the field of the proposed research, and following a reasoned decision of the General Assembly (GA), applicants who do not hold a Master's Degree may also be admitted as doctoral candidates. In such cases, the proposed supervisor may recommend that the candidate attend supplementary postgraduate-level courses or complete specific assignments before the candidacy is approved by the GA. 

4.2 Selection Procedure 

The selection of doctoral candidates for each doctoral studies program is carried out by decision of the General Assembly (GA) of the Department of Theatre Studies (DTS). 

4.3 Application Procedure 

Interested applicants may submit an application for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation to the Secretariat of the Department of Theatre Studies twice during each academic year (October and February), following consultation with and approval by the proposed faculty supervisor. 

Relevant calls for applications or expressions of interest shall be publicized by all appropriate means and posted on the websites of both the Department and the University. 

Any interested person who meets the requirements of these Doctoral Studies Regulations may submit an application to the General Assembly for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation. The application shall include, at a minimum, the following: 

• Proposed title of the doctoral dissertation; 

• A brief memorandum outlining the subject matter of the doctoral dissertation; 

• Language of writing: The primary language for the preparation of the doctoral dissertation shall be Greek. The dissertation may also be written in a language other than Greek, subject to the agreement of the proposed supervisor and upon application by the doctoral candidate to the General Assembly, explaining the reasons for using that language (e.g., native language, language of previous undergraduate and postgraduate studies, joint dissertation with a foreign institution, or collaboration with academics abroad). If the General Assembly approves the use of a foreign language, an extensive summary in Greek shall be required upon completion of the dissertation, the length of which shall be determined by the General Assembly; 

• Proposed supervisor whose academic specialization or scholarly work is relevant to the subject of the proposed doctoral dissertation. 

The application shall be accompanied by: 

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV); 

• A copy of the undergraduate degree/diploma; 

• A copy of the Master's Degree awarded by a Greek institution or an equivalent institution abroad. 

If the applicant is a graduate of an undergraduate program in Greece or abroad whose successful completion leads to the award of an integrated and undivided degree in accordance with Article 78 of Law 4957/2022, submission of a Master's Degree is not required. 

For degrees awarded by foreign institutions, the General Assembly appoints a competent committee to verify, in accordance with Article 304 of Law 4957/2022, as amended and in force: 

1. Whether the awarding institution is included in the National Register of Recognized Foreign Institutions maintained and updated by the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP); 

2. Whether the foreign degree is included in the National Register of Degree Types of Recognized Institutions published on the DOATAP website. 

The applicant must submit a certificate indicating the place of study, issued and sent by the foreign university. If Greece is certified as the place of study, or part thereof, the degree shall not be recognized unless the studies undertaken in Greece were carried out at a public Higher Education Institution. 

The following supporting documents are also required: 

• Photocopy of a national identity card or equivalent identification document; 

• Official transcript of postgraduate studies; 

• Copy of the Master's thesis in both digital and printed form, if requested by the proposed supervisor; 

• Proof of language proficiency (primarily in English, although other languages may be accepted depending on the proposed research topic) for Greek applicants, at C1 level. If no relevant certificate is held, the candidate shall be examined in the language according to a procedure determined by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the supervisor. The General Assembly may also require proof of Greek-language proficiency (B2 level) for foreign applicants where deemed necessary; 

• Up to two (2) letters of recommendation from university faculty members or employers (the latter only where the candidate’s professional work is relevant to theatre studies); 

• Publications or scholarly works, if available. 

The General Assembly examines the applications and makes a reasoned decision either approving or rejecting the candidate’s application. The decision of the General Assembly shall specify: 

• The dissertation supervisor; 

• The members of the three-member Advisory Committee, which guides and supports the preparation and writing of the dissertation; 

• The language in which the dissertation will be written. 

The names of the doctoral candidates, supervisors, members of the Advisory Committee, the titles of the dissertations in progress, and a brief summary of each dissertation shall be published on the University’s website in both Greek and English. 

Before making a decision on one or more applications, the General Assembly may appoint three-member Evaluation Committees composed of faculty members of the Department and assign each committee responsibility for reviewing a group of applications. Each committee examines the applications and supporting documents and may invite applicants to an interview. 

The committee subsequently submits a report to the General Assembly indicating the reasons why each applicant should or should not be admitted, as well as the proposed supervisor if one has not been proposed by the applicant. 

The committees’ reports are taken into consideration by the General Assembly during its deliberations concerning approval of the relevant applications. 

 Article 5 

Duration of Doctoral Studies – Suspension of Studies 

 5.1 Duration of Studies 

The duration of study in the third cycle of studies may not be less than three (3) full calendar years from the date of appointment of the three-member Advisory Committee. 

The maximum period for completion of the doctoral dissertation is set at six (6) calendar years. By decision of the General Assembly (GA), the maximum duration for the completion of a doctoral dissertation may be extended by one (1) additional calendar year, upon request of the doctoral candidate and with the agreement of the three-member Advisory Committee, for a serious and justified reason. 

 5.2 Suspension of Studies 

The maximum number of doctoral candidates supervised by any one supervisor is eight (8). This limit does not apply to doctoral dissertations that the supervisor co-supervises outside the Department. 

7.1 Replacement of the Supervisor or Members of the Three-Member Advisory Committee 

If any member of the three-member Advisory Committee, including the supervisor, ceases to serve or is unable to perform their duties, a replacement may be appointed by decision of the General Assembly until completion of the doctoral dissertation, upon request of either the member concerned or the doctoral candidate. 

7.2 Transfer or Retirement of the Supervisor or Members of the Three-Member Advisory Committee 

If the supervisor or a member of the Advisory Committee transfers to another department of the University of the Peloponnese or another Higher Education Institution, or retires, they may continue to serve as supervisor or committee member, provided they consent to do so. The doctoral degree shall continue to be awarded by the University of the Peloponnese through the department in which the dissertation was originally commenced. 

If, at the time of the dissertation defense, members of the three-member Advisory Committee have retired, they shall be replaced by an equal number of members by decision of the General Assembly. Retired members may attend the meeting of the seven-member Examination Committee without voting rights. 

If, for any reason, the supervisor ceases to serve or is demonstrably unable to perform supervisory duties for an extended period, the General Assembly shall assign supervision: 

• to another supervisor, following a request by the doctoral candidate and the opinion of the proposed new supervisor; or 

• to one of the other two members of the Advisory Committee, even if this exceeds the maximum number of doctoral candidates that a supervisor may normally supervise. 

Other members of the three-member Advisory Committee may be replaced, upon recommendation of the supervisor, where required because of the relevance of expertise to a modified dissertation topic, for other documented reasons, or upon their own justified request to resign from the committee. 

Article 8 

Preparation of a Doctoral Dissertation under Joint Supervision 

Third-cycle study programs for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation under joint supervision may be organized by a department in cooperation with one (1) or more departments of the University, other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Greece, Higher Military Educational Institutions, Higher Ecclesiastical Academies, research and technological institutions referred to in Article 13A of Law 4310/2014 (Government Gazette A’ 258), University Research Institutes, the Academy of Athens, the Foundation for Biomedical Research of the Academy of Athens, as well as institutions abroad. 

Collaboration with providers of non-formal post-secondary education under Law 3696/2008 (Government Gazette A’ 177) is not permitted. 

A Special Cooperation Protocol shall be concluded between the collaborating institutions, approved by the competent collective bodies of the participating institutions, and shall specify the detailed terms and conditions governing the joint preparation of the doctoral dissertation. 

Article 9 

Industrial Doctorates 

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to doctoral studies programs may apply to prepare a doctoral dissertation in collaboration with a business or industrial enterprise that is headquartered in Greece or maintains a branch operating in Greece. Such a dissertation shall involve industrial or applied research aimed at producing research outcomes leading to innovative products or services. 

The collaborating enterprise or industry shall designate one (1) representative with experience and expertise relevant to the subject of the doctoral dissertation, whose role shall be to guide the doctoral candidate. 

The enterprise or industry representative may participate, without voting rights, in meetings of both the three-member Advisory Committee and the seven-member Examination Committee and may express opinions regarding the candidate’s work. 

A cooperation protocol between the University of the Peloponnese, the collaborating enterprise or industry, and the doctoral candidate, approved by the University Senate following a recommendation from the Department, shall determine: 

• the specific terms of cooperation for conducting the doctoral dissertation within the enterprise or industry; 

• the procedures for producing research results; 

• the use of the University of the Peloponnese’s infrastructure and equipment, where the research is conducted within the University; 

• the obligations and rights of each contracting party; and 

• the allocation of intellectual property rights arising from work carried out during the preparation of the doctoral dissertation. 

Doctoral candidates may participate in research projects and programs of the University and may receive scholarships within the framework of co-funded, self-funded, or other research projects and programs supporting their doctoral research. 

For up to five (5) years following completion of their doctoral dissertation, they retain rights of access, borrowing, and use of the electronic services of university libraries. 

The University of the Peloponnese ensures accessibility to educational programs, teaching facilities, instruction, and other accommodations for students with disabilities and/or special educational needs. 

Doctoral candidates of the Department of Theatre Studies additionally have the following rights: 

• The possibility of conducting part of their research at another university, institute, research center, or enterprise in Greece or abroad, following consultation with the supervisor and within the prescribed duration of studies; 

• Participation in conferences, academic workshops, seminars, and similar scholarly events. 

Doctoral candidates are required to: 

a) Submit annually (every October) a detailed written progress report on their dissertation to the three-member Advisory Committee and present their progress orally if deemed necessary. A copy of the report, together with comments from the supervisor or the Advisory Committee and any progress evaluations, shall be included in the candidate’s individual file; 

b) Renew their registration each academic year, subject to the approval of the three-member Advisory Committee; 

c) Cooperate with the supervisor and the members of the Advisory Committee in the preparation and completion of their dissertation; 

d) Attend courses and/or seminars when considered necessary by the supervisor and the three-member Advisory Committee; 

e) Participate in the educational process by providing teaching assistance or other supporting instructional duties, according to the needs of the Department’s first- and second-cycle study programs, following the recommendation of the supervisor. 

Article 11 

Teaching Assistance Duties 

“Teaching assistance duties” are defined as assisting faculty members (DEP) in the performance of their teaching responsibilities, including supervising student practical work, conducting tutorials and laboratory exercises, invigilating examinations, and grading assignments. Doctoral candidates may undertake teaching assistance duties in first- and second-cycle study programs (Article 175, Law 4957/2022). 

f) Exceeds the maximum permitted duration for the completion of the doctoral dissertation, as defined by applicable legislation and the Doctoral Studies Regulations; 

g) Violates applicable provisions concerning disciplinary offenses, as determined by the competent disciplinary bodies; 

h) Commits criminal acts that expose or cause harm to the University or the Department, and in particular any of the acts specified in Article 197 of Law 4957/2022, including: 

• Destruction of University property, whether movable or immovable, used by the University or members of the academic community; 

• Obstruction of the proper functioning of the University, including its educational, research, or administrative activities, the operation of its individual and collective governing bodies and services, and the use of its facilities and equipment; 

• Use of prohibited substances covered by Law 4139/2013 (Government Gazette A’ 74) within the University, or any involvement in their distribution; 

• Commission of any misdemeanor or felony connected with the individual’s status as a student; 

i) Submits a request for voluntary withdrawal from the doctoral program. 

In all the above cases, except for case (i), before a decision on removal is issued, the competent body (the General Assembly) must invite the doctoral candidate to a hearing and provide them with an opportunity to present their views and explanations. 

Article 15 

Defense / Evaluation of the Doctoral Dissertation 

Upon completion of the writing of the doctoral dissertation and submission of the final progress report to the three-member advisory committee, the doctoral candidate submits a request for evaluation and public defense. 

Following a positive written recommendation from the three-member advisory committee to the Department Assembly (GA), the GA shall, within three months, appoint by decision a seven-member examination committee for the assessment and evaluation of the doctoral dissertation. 

The seven-member examination committee shall obligatorily include the members of the three-member advisory committee and four (4) additional members belonging to the categories listed in points (a)–(f) of paragraph 1 of Article 94 of Law 4957/2022. 

At least four (4) of the seven (7) members of the examination committee must be members of the Teaching and Research Staff (DEP) of the University of the Peloponnese. 

The appointment of the seven-member examination committee shall take place within one month, or at the next meeting of the Department Assembly, following the completion of the advisory report of the three-member committee. 

In the event of a detailed and justified rejection by the three-member advisory committee, accompanied by recommendations and suggestions for improving the dissertation, the candidate may resubmit an application for defense and evaluation after making the necessary revisions in accordance with the committee’s recommendations, within six (6) months of being notified of the rejection. 

The obligations of doctoral candidates following the appointment of the seven-member committee are as follows: 

• Submission of the dissertation under examination in one (1) electronic and one (1) printed copy to the Department Secretariat, and dispatch of seven (7) printed copies to the members of the examination committee. The dissertation may also be requested in electronic form and sent as an attachment to the members of the seven-member committee. 

• If the dissertation is written in Greek, it must include a summary in English. If it is written in a foreign language, a summary in Greek is required, of a length determined by the Department Assembly. 

• Submission of a signed declaration stating that the dissertation is not a product of plagiarism. Plagiarism (the unacknowledged use and appropriation of text from another author) constitutes a serious offense, as it is considered a form of academic fraud. In cases of proven plagiarism, the doctoral degree may be revoked regardless of when it was awarded. 

The supervisor, in cooperation with the doctoral candidate, shall set a date for the dissertation defense within two (2) months of the constitution of the seven-member committee. The date shall then be announced to the university community. 

The doctoral dissertation is publicly defended by the candidate before the seven-member examination committee, which may pose questions to the candidate. The public defense shall be conducted in the language in which the dissertation was written. If this language is neither Greek nor English, the members of the seven-member examination committee must be demonstrably proficient in the relevant language. 

The public defense session may also be conducted remotely through videoconference if the physical presence of all members of the examination committee is not possible. For videoconferencing, infrastructures provided by GUNET, such as e-Presence, or other platforms used by the Department for distance education may be utilized, together with any additional requirements dictated by the specific academic field. The objective is to ensure secure access and participant identification. 

After the completion of the defense, the seven-member examination committee meets in private, evaluates the dissertation in terms of quality, completeness, originality of thought, and contribution to science, and on the basis of these criteria approves or rejects the award of the doctoral degree. The award of the doctoral diploma requires the favorable opinion and positive evaluation of at least five (5) members of the committee. 

If approved by the seven-member examination committee, the dissertation is graded according to the following scale: 

• Pass (Kalos) 

• Very Good (Lian Kalos) 

• Excellent (Arista) 

and, in exceptional cases: 

• Excellent with Distinction (Arista Met’ Epainou) 

The grade is recorded in the official evaluation report. 

If the seven-member committee determines that the dissertation requires corrections, it grants an additional period of six (6) months, which is recorded in the minutes. For the final submission of the corrected dissertation, a certification from the supervisor is required stating that the candidate has incorporated the proposed additions and modifications and that the dissertation is approved in its final form. 

If the doctoral candidate fails to make the required corrections, the three-member advisory committee shall recommend to the Department Assembly that the candidate be removed from the doctoral program. 

Article 16 

Conferment and Graduation of Doctors 

Doctoral studies lead to a qualification corresponding to Level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). 

Doctoral candidates who have fulfilled all requirements for the award of the Doctoral Diploma, as specified in the applicable Doctoral Studies Regulations, are formally proclaimed Doctors by the Department Assembly. 

The procedure preceding the proclamation of a doctoral candidate as a Doctor includes: 

• Application to participate in the proclamation and oath-taking ceremony. 

• Submission of the dissertation to the Department Secretariat in digital format. 

• Deposit of the dissertation in the Institutional Repository in electronic form. 

• Submission of the dissertation to the National Documentation Centre (EKT) in cooperation with the Department Secretariat. 

The exact procedure and date for the proclamation, oath-taking, and award of the Doctoral Diploma are determined by the Department Assembly. The program of the oath-taking ceremony is announced by the Department Secretariat at least one week before the scheduled date. 

The graduation ceremony includes a public oath-taking ceremony, during which graduates wear the official academic gown and appear before the President of the Department, the Dean of the School, and, where possible, a representative of the University Rectorate. The text of the oath is specified in the University's Internal Regulations. 

The format of the Doctoral Diploma (departmental or jointly supervised) is an official public document and follows the model adopted by the University of the Peloponnese. The diploma is signed by: 

• the Rector, 

• the Dean of the School, 

• the President of the Department, and 

• the Secretary of the Department, 

and bears the official seal of the University. 

During the period between successful completion of doctoral studies and examination of the dissertation and the formal proclamation ceremony, the candidate may request a certificate of completion of studies, which serves as an official qualification document. 

If, after the award of the degree, extensive textual overlap or plagiarism is discovered in the work of a Doctor, the Department Assembly is obliged to investigate the matter and may revoke the awarded degree in accordance with applicable legislation. 

Article 17 

Intellectual Property Rights 

In accordance with Law 2121/1993, as amended and in force, the copyright of doctoral dissertations remains with the Doctor in all forms of future exploitation (publications, scientific presentations, editions, etc.), provided that reference is made to: 

• the Department of Theatre Studies of the University of the Peloponnese, 

• the supervising professor, and 

• the two other members of the three-member advisory committee. 

Industrial property rights (e.g., patents) that may arise solely from the research results of the doctoral dissertation belong to: 

• the Doctor, 

• the supervising professor, and 

• the University of the Peloponnese, 

in the proportions prescribed by law. 

Such rights may also belong to members of the research team who have made a significant contribution to the creation and exploitation of the research results. 

Article 18 

Accreditation / External Evaluation 

The completion of the procedure for establishing doctoral study programs and the commencement of their operation are subject to their prior accreditation by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE / ETHAAE), in accordance with Article 8(1)(c) of Law 4653/2020 (Government Gazette A’ 12). 

For the continuation of their operation, doctoral study programs must undergo periodic accreditation every five (5) years as part of the evaluation process of the academic unit to which they belong.