Selection Process
Evaluation of dossier
Interview (min score 7/10)
First Evaluation’s Criteria
Candidates will be admitted to the interview when a very good evaluation according to these criteria is achieved:
a) evaluation of the master’s degree’s consistency with the PhD programme;
b) evaluation of the CV;
c) evaluation of the project statement’s quality, creativity and impact;
d) language proficiency
Interview’s Criteria
Interview will be conducted and assessed according to these criteria:
a) discussion with the candidate on the CV;
b) discussion with the candidate on the project statement’s quality, creativity and impact;
c) certified English language proficiency or as emerged during the interview;
d) motivation
Admission Requirements
To apply for this PhD programme, the candidate must meet the following FOUR requirements:
1) Present a project statement within one of the research topics
2) Draft the project statement in English according to the following table of contents (max 2,000 words in 14,000 characters including spaces):
a) Title of the project statement
b) Background (What is the motivation for this PhD proposal? What topics andchallenges will be addressed? Why are these topics of relevance (or interest)? Describe concisely the state-of-the-art. What will the PhD proposal address that goes beyond the state-of-the-art?)
c) Objectives (what does the PhD proposal intend to investigate and/or prove? Why is this line of research original and salient in the field? Why the objectives pursued are relevant for the issue investigated?)
d) Research Methodology (Is there a particular method that will lead the research? How does it work? Why is this methodology suited?)
e) Work Plan and Timeline (Provide a six-month outline of how you will complete the work within the time scheduled (the PhD programme takes three years)
f) References (bibliography used in the state-of the-art and all the relevant sources to explain the proposal)
3) Prove English language proficiency as follows:
either a) demonstrating to be an English native speaker;
or b) holding a master’s degree in English as the medium of instruction.
If the candidate does not meet any of these language requirements, an English proficiency certificate is appreciated proving a C1 level (Effective Operational Proficiency) as stated by the Common European Framework of Reference for Language («the ability to communicate with the emphasis on how well it is done, in terms of appropriacy, sensitivity and the capacity to deal with unfamiliar topics»).
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE), TOEFL (100/120 internet-based) and IELTS (8/10) will be considered. Other certificates may be taken into account.
4) Motivation letter
Fill the section Why do you plan to attend graduate school? in the application form.
PhD Duties
International mobility for study and research activities for 12 months.