FAQs on PhDs

No, first- or second-level Professional Master's programmes completed in Italy are not in themselves qualifications for admission to a PhD programme.

No, first- or second-level Professional Master's programmes completed in Italy are not in themselves qualifications for admission to a PhD programme.

Usually, a Master's Degree abroad is equivalent to the Italian Laurea Magistrale (second-cycle degree programme) and therefore a useful qualification for admission to a PhD programme. In any case, the general rule is that a foreign qualification is accepted if it grants access to a PhD programme in the country where the qualification was obtained. To check this, please contact the institute that issued the qualification or consult online databases such as the ENIC-NARIC centre. 

Normally, no. The supervisor is assigned by the Academic Board following enrolment. However, we advise you always check the overview of the specific PhD to see if there are any specific instructions in this regard.

Yes. If you have won a position, you will have to choose between the two programmes: simultaneous enrolment in several PhD programmes is not possible.

Please note: if you were receiving a scholarship for your first PhD programme (even for just one day), you will not be able to attend a PhD with a scholarship. However, you will be able to access positions without a scholarship, to obtain equivalent funding such as research fellowships, or to apply for reserved Advanced Apprenticeship PhD positions.

Yes, it is possible to take an additional PhD programme.

If you have already received a scholarship for your first PhD programme (even for just one day), you will not be able to attend a PhD with a scholarship. However, you will be able to access positions without a scholarship, to obtain equivalent funding such as research fellowships, or to apply for reserved Advanced Apprenticeship PhD positions.

If you have not yet submitted your application, you can change your data and supplement your application before the deadline.

If you have already submitted your application, you can reopen it via the 'Reopen application' button, fix any errors and/or enter additional documents. Remember to re-submit your application by the deadline.

No, under no circumstances is it possible to supplement documents by e-mail as the application for admission must be sent exclusively via the procedure on Studenti Online by the deadline set in the call for applications. We advise you to check carefully that the information provided is complete and correct, and ensure that it has been submitted correctly.

No, despite BREXIT, the UK continues to be a member of the Bologna Process. Therefore, the same rules for submitting documents apply as for EU countries.

Please contact the Examination Committee using the contact details given on the page dedicated to the individual PhD programme (choose the PhD programme, click on 'More information', click on the 'Call Committee').

Please contact the Examination Committee using the contact details given on the page dedicated to the individual PhD programme (choose the PhD programme, click on 'More information', click on the 'Call Committee').

If you are attending a Laurea Magistrale (second-cycle degree programme) that is useful for enrolling in a PhD, you can apply for conditional matriculation, but you must obtain your qualification before the start of the PhD programme.

In other cases, the law allows simultaneous enrolment in the same academic year in a PhD programme and another university programme. There are two exceptions:

• simultaneous enrolment in two different PhD programmes, which is only possible if there is a co-tutorship agreement with a foreign university,
• simultaneous enrolment (also known as joint attendance) in a PhD and a medical specialisation school, for which specific authorisation is required from the bodies of both programmes.

To find out more, please visit the following page: Simultaneous enrolment in different programmes.

To enrol, you must first drop out of the PhD programme you were already enrolled in and provide the appropriate documentation to the PhD Unit - Programmes and Careers Office, at the following e-mail address: aform.udottricerca@unibo.it.

Enrolment in two PhD programmes is not permitted. To enrol, you must first drop out of the PhD programme you were already enrolled in. Please note: if you were receiving a scholarship for your first PhD programme (or received it even for just one day), you will not be able to attend a PhD with a scholarship. However, you will be able to access positions without a scholarship, to obtain equivalent funding such as research fellowships or funding from national, international or foreign institutions, or to apply for Advanced Apprenticeship PhD positions.

As a rule, yes. For more information on the conditions relating to changes in the ranking list, see the call for applications.

No. Withdrawal or exclusion from the PhD programme shall not entitle you to reimbursement of the tuition fees.

If you were receiving a scholarship for your first PhD programme (or received it even for just one day), you will not be able to attend a PhD with a scholarship. However, you will be able to access positions without a scholarship, to obtain equivalent funding such as research fellowships or funding from national, international or foreign institutions, or to apply for Advanced Apprenticeship PhD positions.

Scholarships may not be accumulated with:

• other study grants awarded for any reason, except those granted by national or international institutions, or institutions of foreign countries, to supplement the activities of the PhD student with periods spent abroad;
• the payments made to doctors undergoing specialist training. Scholarship payments shall be suspended for the period of concurrent enrolment in a medical specialisation school;
• research fellowships. Research fellows who are also awarded a PhD scholarship must irrevocably withdraw from either the research fellowship or the scholarship before the starting date of the programme;
• remuneration from full-time employment in a Public Administration.

For more information on specific cases, please contact the office at: aform.udottricerca@unibo.it.

In any case, as a PhD student you are obliged to attend the PhD programme for its entire legal duration, ensuring exclusive, full-time commitment to same (see Regulations on PhD programmes). To carry out other paid activities, it is necessary to obtain the formal authorisation of the Academic Board, which will assess the compatibility of your other commitments with the training and research activities proposed as part of the programme.