PhD programme

Discover your potential

PhD programmes last 3 or 4 years, at the end of which you will obtain the academic qualification of Doctor of Philosophy. 

• You will learn to carry out original, highly qualified, innovative and independent research in a specific field and acquire scientific and methodological skills in highly professional study and research areas.
• You will develop important transferable skills that go beyond mastering a specialist subject, such as, for example, the ability to tackle complex problems, manage unforeseen events, work in a team and effectively communicate the results of your work.
• You will be able to use your acquired knowledge and skills in companies, in the manufacturing and services sectors, in public administration and as a self-employed professional.

Gain an international experience

• International mobility during a PhD
  PhDs include a period abroad at foreign universities and research organisations. As part of your studies and research path, you will come into contact with international companies and teams, acquire language skills, and enrich your competencies and knowledge. For stays abroad lasting at least thirty continuous days, it is possible to apply for a scholarship increase.
• PhD co-tutorship
  A PhD co-tutorship is an international collaboration that takes place through bilateral agreements signed by two universities located in different countries. You will have the opportunity to carry out research at both universities and under the joint responsibility of two supervisors, one from each university. At the end you will obtain the title of Doctor of Philosophy in both universities, with an explicit mention of the collaboration with the partner university. Co-tutorships should preferably be requested by the end of the first year and no later than 18 months before the end of the official duration of the PhD programme.

• PhDs awarding joint qualifications
  Through the agreements that the University of Bologna has signed with foreign universities, it is also possible to enrol in research PhDs awarding a joint degree. Joint degrees can be used in the countries involved, so, for example, if you attend a PhD programme for which there is an agreement between the University of Bologna and a French university, you can use the PhD degree obtained in Italy and France alike.

Find out more about the opportunities available

International collaboration

The University of Bologna promotes the internationalisation of PhD programmes by developing collaboration with foreign universities and research centres, as well as via participation in international research projects and programmes.

Discover the agreements with foreign universities and the international collaborations available

Collaborate with organisations and companies

Some PhDs give you the opportunity to collaborate with organisations and companies. Below are the opportunities available:

• PhDs in agreement with organisations and companies: PhDs may be set up in cooperation with organisations and companies, which may participate in the definition of the research topic, in the selection process and may provide for activities to be carried out on their premises;
• advanced Apprenticeship PhD: combines employment in a company with a higher education and research contract and enrolment in a PhD. The training path is shared between the university and the company, with training periods at both. You will be followed by two supervisors, one at the university and one at the company. This is a unique opportunity to combine theory and practice, acquiring advanced skills in both areas. For more information on the positions reserved for people with an Advanced Apprenticeship contract, see the overviews of the PhD programmes.

Scholarships are awarded to attend a PhD. Scholarships have a gross amount payable ranging from a minimum of EUR 16,243 to a maximum of EUR 19,367 per year. Find out about the scholarships and other funding opportunities that could facilitate your studies from a financial standpoint.

Find out more

PhDs at the University of Bologna

The University of Bologna offers a wide and diverse range of PhD programmes, which are divided into six subject areas:

1. Biological, Geological and Agricultural Sciences
2. Legal, Politological, Economic, Statistical Sciences
3. Engineering Sciences
4. Mathematical Physical, Chemical and Astronomical Sciences
5. Medical, Pharmaceutical and Veterinary Medical Sciences
6. Humanities

These are offered in various languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, German or Russian.

The research areas, admission requirements, selection methods and criteria are set out in the overviews of the faindividual PhD programmes.

Learn more about the PhD programmes offered at the University of Bologna

National PhDs

In addition to the PhDs offered at our university, you can also enrol in PhDs of National Interest (DIN). These PhDs, involving various Italian universities and leading research institutions, aim to analyse and investigate topics of national interest. Students are trained in homogeneous and interdisciplinary research areas, bridging the gap between academic and industrial research.

See the list of National PhDs

A further opportunity: International PhD College

The International PhD College (I-PHD) is a third-cycle training and research programme complementary to the University's PhD programmes, which welcomes Italian and international PhD students alike. Particularly motivated and deserving students who have been admitted to one of the PhDs run by the University of Bologna may participate in calls for applications for the International PhD College. Winners will supplement their PhD research activities with interdisciplinary and international training and co-working activities on cross-cutting topics.

More information is available on the College’s website

To apply for a PhD at the University of Bologna, you must pass the selection process aimed at verifying your aptitude for scientific research as well as your preparation on the subjects covered by the programme and related to the position. For PhD programmes starting in autumn 2025 two calls for applications will be published: the first one in February 2025, the second one in May-June 2025.

The first call for applications for the admission to the PhD programmes a.y. 2025/26 is now online. Deadline 3 April 2025.

Take part in the selection

Consult the Intranet Portal for information on careers, opportunities and services for PhD students enrolled at the University of Bologna: PhD scholarships, fees, exemptions, agreements, co-tutorships, mobility, formalities for residing abroad, absences, PhD theses, final examinations, withdrawal from a PhD, etc. 

University’s intranet (restricted access, only with @unibo credentials)

You can take part in a mobility period at the University of Bologna.

Find out more about the opportunities available

End-of-year opinion survey

Every year, the University conducts an end-of-year survey to gather the opinions of PhD students on the various areas of the research training project and the associated services and opportunities.

The survey involves filling out an anonymous questionnaire, which enables the extensive collection of data useful for the PhD Programme’ self-assessment process.

Questionnaire template and compilation information

End-of-Programme survey and employment status survey

Every year, the University and AlmaLaurea propose two PhD Programme surveys to gather:

• feedback on the programmes from PhD Students who are completing their studies/research work;
• information on their inclusion in the world of work after one, three and five years of gaining their qualification. 

Information on questionnaire completion

If you have attended a PhD at the University of Bologna and need a certificate or require information on how to obtain your scroll, please consult the certificates and scrolls page.

The collaboration between the University, institutions and companies in the field of PhD programmes is interesting because:

• it provides highly qualified, innovative competencies on topics of interest;
• it increases competitiveness via product and process improvements that derive from R&D, innovation and the transfer of technology;
• it strengthens regional synergies and develops innovative research results;
• it grants tax benefits.

• PhD programme established through an agreement
  Public and private research organisations and companies carrying out qualified research and development activities may activate an accredited PhD programme in agreement or in consortium with our University, which then awards a PhD qualification.
• Funding scholarships
  Public and private research organisations and companies can fund one or more scholarship for PhD programmes activated by this University, defining the research area of interest and participating in the selection of PhD students.
• Advanced Apprenticeship PhD
  An Advanced Apprenticeship PhD offers organisations and companies of all sizes an opportunity to carry out research and employ highly-qualified young persons, designing a training path consistent with the needs of the firm, while also benefiting from the related tax advantages.
• PhD programme with the support of a donation
  Organisations and companies may support the PhD programme through charitable donations aimed at funding one or more scholarships for PhD programmes offered by the University.

Find out more