The Doctoral program
Future PhD candidates
How the doctoral programme is organised
The UNICAM doctoral pathway combines
original research,
advanced training
and the progressive development of scientific independence.
The core of the programme
Research is the central activity throughout the PhD
Courses, seminars and transferable-skills activities support the development of the individual research project. Candidates progressively acquire the knowledge, methods and autonomy required to produce an original doctoral thesis.
180
ECTS credits
3
standard academic years
1
progress evaluation each year
Standard pathway
The three-year structure
YEAR 1 · 60 ECTS
Build the foundations
40
ECTS
Research activity and annual progress report.
10
ECTS
Mandatory transversal activities.
10
ECTS
Programme-specific courses and scientific activities.
YEAR 2 · 60 ECTS
Develop the research
40
ECTS
Research activity and annual progress report.
10
ECTS
Mandatory transversal activities.
10
ECTS
Programme-specific courses and scientific activities.
YEAR 3 · 60 ECTS
Complete the thesis
50
ECTS
Research completion and preparation of the doctoral thesis.
10
ECTS
Mandatory transversal activities.
The final year focuses on completing the research project and preparing the thesis for external evaluation.
Programme components
Research, training and evaluation
Research activity
Develop the approved project under the guidance of the Supervisor and progressively acquire
methodological expertise, autonomy and scientific responsibility.
Transversal activities
Common training in research ethics, communication, open science, project management, innovation and career development.
Programme-specific activities
Specialist courses, seminars, workshops and scientific events connected with the research areas of each PhD Programme.
Research and training plan
The candidate and Supervisor define an
individual pathway
consistent with the research project, Programme requirements and any conditions attached to the scholarship or funded position.
Progress evaluation
Each year the candidate documents the research and training completed.
The Academic Board evaluates progress and decides on admission to the following year.
Thesis, review and final examination
The final phase includes
thesis submission and external review,
followed by the public defence, degree award and graduation procedures.
Programme-specific credits
Courses, seminars and scientific events
In the standard structure, the 10 ECTS assigned to Programme-specific activities in the first and second year normally include:
7
ECTS
Structured activities
Courses or other activities requiring successful completion of a final assessment.
3
ECTS
Scientific events
Seminars, conferences, workshops and other recognised scientific activities.
Specific arrangements
The standard structure may be adapted
Joint PhD Programmes, PhD Programmes of National Interest and positions governed by specific funding agreements may establish different training structures, mobility requirements, calendars or reporting obligations.
Next step
Explore the available PhD Programmes
Each Programme covers specific scientific areas and may include curricula identifying more specialised research and training fields.