Attending a PhD program

The PhD program normally lasts three years, at the end of which the academic qualification of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded. During the three years, the student:

• learns to carry out original, highly qualified, innovative, and independent research in a specific field, and acquires scientific and methodological skills in highly professional academic and research paths
• develops cross-disciplinary skills that go beyond mastery of a specific subject, such as the ability to tackle complex problems, manage unexpected situations, work in a team, and effectively communicate the results of their work
• acquires the necessary skills to conduct highly qualified research activities at universities, public institutions, or private entities, including for access to careers in public administration and the integration of highly innovative professional pathways

At the end of the first and second academic years, the PhD student must undergo an annual evaluation, which consists of writing a report and participating in an oral interview about the activities carried out. Specifically, the student must prepare a report—in a format provided by the Doctorate office—for which they are responsible, certifying the training activities completed, seminars attended, periods spent abroad, and publications resulting from research activities, for a total of 60 ECTS credits. The supervisor, also in agreement with the co-supervisor, evaluates the activities carried out by the PhD student and, in turn, drafts a report. Afterwards, the student, in the presence of the Academic Board, reports on the overall activities completed during the year. 

Pursuant to Articles 12 and 15 of the regulation on PhD programs, it is possible to submit a request for suspension, extension, or authorization for work activities using the specific forms available in the PhD section of this website.

PhD students are encouraged to spend time abroad for research activities. During their stay abroad, the scholarship amount is increased by 50%.

Stays abroad must be authorized in advance by the Course Coordinator, with the Tutor’s opinion and supported by an invitation letter from the host institution, for a period not exceeding 12 months. The increase is granted for continuous stays abroad of no less than 30 days. The increment must be requested before departure, using the appropriate form which also details the student's obligations upon return from the period abroad.

Starting from the first year of the PhD program, every PhD student, whether they hold a scholarship or not, is guaranteed an individual budget for research activities in Italy and abroad, in addition to any possible scholarship. This budget is appropriate to the type of PhD course and amounts to ten percent (10%) of the scholarship.

The budget, which can be combined with the increase in the scholarship provided for study periods abroad, is tied to the PhD student and cannot be spent or used by others. All requests to use the individual budget must be justified and approved in advance, with authorization, by the student’s supervisor and the Program Coordinator, who verify and certify the relevance and appropriateness of the expenses in relation to the research carried out. Eligible expenses and the procedures for disbursement are regulated by the University in specific guidelines.

To obtain the title of Doctor of Philosophy, the PhD candidate must enter the publication data into the University IRIS repository and submit the doctoral thesis within the deadlines set by the relevant administrative offices.

The PhD student who intends to carry out a joint supervision doctoral thesis must enroll each year in the doctoral courses of both institutions involved and draft the thesis by alternating research periods, preferably of equivalent duration, between their home university and the partner university, under the supervision of two professors affiliated with both of the involved universities.

The request for the establishment of a joint supervision agreement must be made within the first year of the program by the supervisor, after obtaining the consent of the PhD student and a supervising professor at the partner university, and forwarded to the PhD program coordinator and the relevant administrative offices to propose its approval to the Academic Board.

The University, upon request of the applicant, with prior approval of the Academic Board and having obtained the favorable opinion of the supervisor, may award the "Doctor Europaeus" certification in addition to the national title of PhD, together with the certificate of completion of the degree, once it has verified that the requirements set out in Article 8 of the PhD regulations have been met.

All university PhD students are covered by the following insurance policies:

• Accident Insurance Policy, active from 06/30/2025 to 06/30/2027, under which the insurance company undertakes to reimburse amounts for accidents suffered by students that occur during institutional activities.
• Liability Insurance Policy, active from 06/30/2025 to 06/30/2027, for damages unintentionally caused by students to third parties resulting in death, personal injury, or damage to property, within the scope of institutional activities.