Doctoral Programme in Management - Decision Aiding Science

General Objectives of the Course

The main objective of this PhD program is to provide students with the ability to undertake independent research in management science. In pursuit of this primary objective, the program aims: - To familiarize students with the principles, practices and methodologies of scientific research; - To foster a scientific culture that encourages the generation and development of independent research ideas and the production of scientifically rigorous results; - To provide students with a cognitive framework that allows them to tackle real management problems with a scientific approach, emphasizing an interdisciplinary perspective; - To provide students with analytical skills for applying various quantitative methods to management problems; - To provide students with the ability to use information technologies as tools for problem solving and decision support.

Admission Requirements

1 - Applications for admission must be:
a) Holders of a master's degree or legal equivalent, namely holders of a master's degree in Management, Economics, Engineering
and other related fields;
b) Holders of a bachelor's degree in the fields referred to in sub-paragraph a), holders of a particularly relevant academic or scientific
curriculum that is recognized as attesting capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the Academic Board of the Faculty of
Economics, in the fields referred to under (a);
c) Holders of a scholar, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting to the capacity to carry out this cycle of
studies by the Academic Board of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra.
2 - The recognition referred to in subparagraphs b) and c) of paragraph 1 only allows access to the cycle of studies leading to a PhD
Degree and does not grant its holder the recognition or equivalence to a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Doctoral graduates in Decision Aiding Science have qualifications to exercise functions in several business fields, such as auditing and consulting, banking and insurance, finance, production and supply, human resources, marketing, teaching and research, namely in public bodies, companies and organizations, both at national and international level.

Mode of Study

Full-time attendance, presence required in daytime schedule. Teaching sessions will take place on Friday (morning and afternoon) and Saturday (morning).

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The regulations of the University of Coimbra on 3rd cycles are applied here, particularly the UC Academic Regulation and the FEUC Assessment and Examinations Regulations.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The main skill that students are expected to acquire is the ability to carry out advanced research in management sciences. To this end, the programme aims to ensure that students acquire a set of basic competences and another set of competences relating to the production of research.
The main basic competences are:
- Critical thinking and argumentation
- Using information technology to solve problems and support decision-making
- Applying acquired knowledge to new situations
- Participation in decision-making processes.
The competences relating to research production are
- Recognising research opportunities
- Structuring a research project
- Researching and acquiring new knowledge autonomously
- Synthesising researched information
- Generating and developing ideas and obtaining results with scientific rigour
- Present ideas and results in accordance with scientific writing standards.

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Raquel Beleza Pereira da Silva
uc46444@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The qualification is framed by the Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of 24 March, in the current wording.

Graduation Requirements

This programme leads to the degree of PhD in Management from the University of Coimbra, which depends on the approval of the Thesis, defended in public examinations, at the end of the programme.
The approval of the curricular units in the first academic year - Management Quantitative Models and Methods; Information Systems; Data Analysis in Management; Decision Processes; Research Methodology - totalizing 30 ECTS of this study cycle will award an Advanced Specialization Course Diploma in Management - Decision Aiding Science.

Access to Further Studies

Doctoral graduates will be able to access post-doctoral programmes, namely in the field of Management

Study Programme

Management – Decision Aiding Science

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 4 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 240.0

Annual Fee: 2000.0

Applications

Call for Applications

3rd Cycle Course

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2025-07-31 a 2031-07-31
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: 2025-09-16