International Dimension
THE UNICAM PHD
International dimension
International research, mobility and cooperation are integral components of doctoral education at UNICAM. PhD candidates develop their projects within international networks and may carry out part of their research and training at qualified institutions and organisations abroad.
6 months
Normally the minimum international mobility period under the general Regulations applicable from Cycle XLI.
≥ 50%
Scholarship increase or equivalent mobility budget for eligible candidates and authorised periods abroad.
12 / 18
Maximum months of additional mobility support: generally 12, or up to 18 for jointly supervised PhD arrangements.
MOBILITY REQUIREMENT AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT ARE DIFFERENT
Do not confuse the academic mobility requirement with the scholarship-support period
For Cycle XLI and subsequent cycles, PhD candidates are normally required to complete a suitable period of mobility abroad of no less than six months. The 12- or 18-month limits refer instead to the maximum period covered by the additional mobility funding under the current general framework.
CHECK THE RULES APPLYING TO YOUR POSITION
The six-month framework is not completely inflexible
Under the Regulations applicable from Cycle XLI, the Academic Board may grant a justified exemption from the normal mobility period, subject to any restrictions established by the funding conditions of the PhD scholarship.
Different or additional requirements may also arise from the admission cycle, Programme, Call for Applications, funding measure, national or international project, co-tutelle agreement or other institutional arrangement.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Different ways to internationalise your PhD
01 · RESEARCH ABROAD
Research periods at host institutions
Carry out part of your doctoral research at a foreign university, research centre, laboratory, company or other qualified organisation relevant to your research project.
02 · RESEARCH NETWORKS
International scientific collaboration
Work with researchers from different countries, contribute to shared projects, publications and conferences and participate in scientific networks connected with your PhD Programme.
03 · SHORT TRAINING MOBILITY
BIP, doctoral schools and intensive courses
Take part in short international training experiences that complement doctoral research and specialist or transversal education.
04 · CO-TUTELLE
Joint thesis supervision
A co-tutelle establishes a structured doctoral pathway between UNICAM and a foreign university through a formal agreement defining the responsibilities of both institutions.
05 · INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Joint and specially funded pathways
European and international projects or partnership agreements may establish dedicated mobility periods, host institutions, reporting requirements, joint research activities or specific funding conditions.
06 · DOCTOR EUROPAEUS
A European dimension to the doctoral qualification
Candidates interested in Doctor Europaeus should plan the required international elements well before external reviewers and the final examination committee are identified.
PLANNING A RESEARCH PERIOD ABROAD
From the research project to the host institution
STEP 01
Define the objective
Identify the scientific or training purpose and expected contribution to your doctoral research.
STEP 02
Identify the host
Select an institution or organisation with suitable expertise, facilities and supervision.
STEP 03
Agree dates and activities
Plan the period with your Supervisor, host and Programme Coordinator.
STEP 04
Complete the procedures
Obtain the required academic authorisations and complete the administrative and financial procedures before departure.
MOBILITY FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Scholarship increase or equivalent mobility budget
AMOUNT
No less than 50%
For eligible candidates under the current general framework, or an equivalent mobility budget of the same value.
CONTINUOUS PERIOD
Normally at least one month
Unless a different minimum period is specified by the Programme Coordinator under the applicable framework.
MAXIMUM SUPPORTED PERIOD
12 months · 18 if jointly supervised
Subject to the required financial coverage and to the conditions applying to the individual position.
SHORT INTERNATIONAL TRAINING
A BIP, doctoral school or course is not automatically the required long-term mobility period
PhD candidates may participate in Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes, doctoral schools, intensive courses, seminars, workshops and other international training initiatives where they are relevant to the doctoral pathway.
Short training mobility should be distinguished from the longer research period required by the PhD Programme. Its possible academic recognition and its contribution to the individual training pathway should therefore be clarified with the Supervisor and Programme Coordinator.
CO-TUTELLE & JOINTLY SUPERVISED PATHWAYS
More than an extended research visit
A co-tutelle involves formal joint supervision of the doctoral thesis between UNICAM and a foreign university. The agreement establishes the responsibilities of the partner institutions and normally regulates matters such as enrolment, supervision, mobility, thesis preparation, examination arrangements and the qualification or qualifications awarded.
PLAN EARLY
Discuss the possibility with your Supervisor and Programme Coordinator at an early stage. A co-tutelle cannot be treated simply as an ordinary mobility request because an institutional agreement must be developed and approved.
DOCTOR EUROPAEUS
Plan the European certification before the final procedure begins
The current UNICAM Regulations refer to the applicable European framework for the Doctor Europaeus certification. Candidates interested in obtaining it should therefore verify the requirements sufficiently early, before external reviewers and the final examination committee are formally identified.
MOBILITY
Verify that the international research period satisfies the applicable requirement.
REVIEWERS
Check the institutional origin required for the thesis evaluators.
COMMITTEE
Plan the international composition of the final examination committee in advance.
LANGUAGE & DOCUMENTATION
Verify the language and documentary conditions that must be demonstrated.
Contact the Advanced Studies Office before the reviewers or committee members are proposed if you intend to request this certification.
FUTURE PHD CANDIDATES
Check position-specific international requirements before applying
Some research topics and scholarships are linked to partner institutions, specific host organisations, international projects, mandatory mobility periods or additional reporting requirements. Always read the Programme information, official Call for Applications and relevant annexes.
INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
Discuss your international pathway early
Contact your Supervisor and Programme Coordinator for scientific and academic planning. Contact the Advanced Studies Office for mobility procedures, scholarship support, career implications, co-tutelle arrangements and Doctor Europaeus requirements.