A few years ago, a postgraduate programme was set up at the Department of Music as part of the establishment of a 3rd cycle specific to art colleges: a doctoral programme in cooperation with the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (KUG), within which an artistic-scientific doctorate in the field of music (and now also in the field of theatre) can be completed. Prerequisites for admission are firstly an above-average MA degree in music, secondly experience in independent artistic work in the performative or compositional field and thirdly successful completion of the relevant application procedure. As part of the cooperation with the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, the group of doctoral students sees itself as a Junior Research Group of the Department of Music; there is a regular exchange between the participants of both universities, also in cooperation with ZHdK's Department of Performing Arts and Film for certain events.