Doctoral Programme in Sociology of Democracy, Law and Justice

General Objectives of the Course

The Doctoral Program has the following general objectives: 1. offer students an innovative curriculum in the field of sociology of democracy, law and justice, which allows them to analyze law and its rationalities as a social fact; 2. develop interdisciplinary academic excellence in the field of sociology of the state, law and justice; 3. promote the use of innovative research methodologies and critical knowledge that contributes to the development and democratization of societies.

Admission Requirements

The following may apply for this doctorate: a) holders of a master's degree or legal equivalent in social sciences or humanities; b) holders of a bachelor's degree, who have a particularly relevant academic or scientific curriculum, which attests to the ability to carry out this cycle of studies (the evaluation of this path will be carried out by a scientific committee to be designed by the doctorate coordination); c) holders of a particularly relevant academic or scientific curriculum, which attests to the ability to carry out this cycle of studies (the evaluation of this path will be carried out by a scientific committee to be designed by the doctorate coordination). In addition to academic and/or professional credentials, the candidate must present: a) a letter of motivation demonstrating why they are a qualified candidate for the program; b) a proposal of the research topics that you wish to deepen and carry out within the scope of your thesis; c) two letters of recommendation.

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

Professional Goals

University teaching (university professors); research in interdisciplinary studies (researchers); advanced and higher and secondary level training for senior management, from public and private entities, in the areas covered by this program (trainers); definition of public policies (consultants and public policy trainers); specialized journalism (journalists); public administration, including local authorities (public service staff); administration and performance of highly qualified functions within the third sector (highly qualified third sector staff).

Mode of Study

Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

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

Students who complete their doctorate will have: 1. substantial knowledge of sociological, political and legal theories; legal-social institutions and practices; and the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of law and justice in the context of the interaction between the state and society; 2. ability to analyze different contexts and their heterogeneities, particularly in European, African, Latin American and Asian spaces; 3. competence to understand and participate in public debates involving theories and practices of law(s) and justice(s), which emerge at local, national, regional and global levels; 4. mastery of interdisciplinary research methods and techniques in the field of democracy, law and justice, in particular, and social and human sciences, in general; 5. skills to train people in conducting research in the sociology of the state, law and justice, including action research projects.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The qualification is framed in Decree-Law no. 74/2006, dated March 24, in the drafting of Decree-Law no. 63/2016

Graduation Requirements

In order to obtain the academic degree, students must obtain 240 ECTS, the equivalent of passing all curricular units, including the one corresponding to the delivery and defense of the doctoral thesis.
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Access to Further Studies

PhD holders are in a position to access a post-doctorate, particularly in the social sciences.

Study Programme

Sociology of Democracy, Law and Justice

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

DGES Code: D065

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 4 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 240.0

Applications

Call for Applications

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: ACEF/2526/1900134; 2026-07-31 a 2032-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 104/2020/AL01; 2026-04-15