General Objectives of the Course

The PhD in European Studies (DES) provides students with advanced scientific knowledge and research skills in the field of EU studies that enable them to understand the specificities of the EU as a political system, how it relates to, affects and is affected by the transformations and dynamics of an international system undergoing profound reconfiguration. Students will be able to carry out scientific and societal high-impact research, with a high level of autonomy and scientific robustness, and to respond to concrete problems. DES provides the acquisition of in-depth theoretical knowledge from a variety of scientific angles, promoting scientifically robust analysis methodologies. From a multidimensional theoretical perspective, DES is aligned with the institutional mission of the UC and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in particular, which values the social uses and political dimension of its knowledge, and actively contributes to the definition of new contemporary scientific paradigms.

Admission Requirements

May apply for this PhD those who meet the conditions indicated in DL No. 74/2006, of March 26, in its current wording, namely:

a) Holders of a Master degree or legal equivalent in the area of Social Sciences, Humanities or Law;

b) Holders of a graduate degree, whose academic, scientific or professional curriculum is particularly relevant and recognized as attesting the ability to carry out this cycle of studies by the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities;

c) Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the ability to carry out this cycle of studies by the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

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

Professional Goals

PhD graduates in European Studies acquire a set of advanced knowledge and skills, oriented towards high-level R&D practice, enabling them to start and develop a solid professional career, or to progress along an existing career path, in the academic or non-academic field. Possible employers include higher education and research institutions (teaching and/or research careers) and other public or private sector entities, including public sector senior management (European and national), international organizations (intergovernmental and non-governmental), highly specialized consultancies in European affairs and policies, and multinational sectoral companies. Examples of professional activities include, but are not limited to, teaching and research in higher education, science and other management positions in public administration and business corporations, advisory work, consultancy, analysis and policy advice.

Mode of Study

Face to face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese/English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from teaching, that is aimed at assessing the skills and knowledge acquired by students, proactivity, ability to articulate and to solve problems, as well the proficiency in written and oral communication. Are admitted to evaluation students enrolled in the respective curricular units and, whenever required, in the assignments, in the academic year in which the evaluation assignments are due, in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the University of Coimbra (RAUC). In the PhD in European Studies, assessment elements include participation and discussion in classes on the topics proposed by the lecturers, problem solving, the preparation of individual and/or group research tasks and assignments (e.g. critical reviews, working papers, policy papers, policy briefs, scientific articles), which may be subject to oral defence, participation in and organization of scientific events, as well as participation in scientific and knowledge transfer projects. In the Thesis Project curricular unit assessment requires the writing and public defence of a research project that will lead to the writing of the dissertation. In the specific case of the Thesis curricular unit, the main assessment element is the writing and public defense of an original thesis specially prepared for this purpose or, alternatively, the writing and public defence of a compilation of a coherent, innovative, scientifically articulated, and relevant set of papers already published in peer-reviewed journals of recognized international merit. In this case, the coordination of the PhD Programme reserves the right to define basic criteria for the eligibility of the work already published. The assessment of each curricular unit may include one or more of the assessment elements listed, and students must be aware of the weighting of each component in their final evaluation, in accordance with the regulations of the University of Coimbra. Each curricular unit, except for the Thesis, will be graded between 0 and 20 points. A minimum of 10 is required for passing the course. In the case of the Thesis, the evaluation consists of a qualitative evaluation of Fail or Pass. In the latter, one out of three formulations expressed in no. 1, art. 76 of the RAUC will be used: “Pass”, “Pass with Distinction” or “Pass with Distinction and Praise”.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The PhD in European Studies aims to provide the students the skills corresponding to level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework, enabling them to:
1) Understand and rigorously apply epistemological and methodological frameworks of European Studies;
2) Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the functioning, decision-making process and implementation of policies in the EU;
3) Critically assess and analyze the role of the EU as an international actor;
4) To understand the EU as a process of political construction influenced by endogenous and exogenous, structural and cyclical economic, institutional and geopolitical factors;
5) Develop and solve scientifically relevant research problems aimed at responding to specific problems;
6) Contribute to decision-making and the formulation of European and national public policies, and to the identification of solutions to political and social problems.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is made in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the University of Coimbra, RAUC, Regulation no. 945/2025, DR 2nd series, of 30 July (http://www.uc.pt/ academics/regulations/regulations), under the terms set out in Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of March 24, in its current wording.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Legal regime for higher education degrees and diplomas defined by Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of March 24, in its current wording

Graduation Requirements

According to Article 28.º of Executive Order No. 74/2006, in its current wording, a PhD degree will be awarded to students who complete a total of 240 ECTS over 4 academic years (8 semesters), according to the existing regulations for this level of education. An advanced specialization diploma in European Union Politics and Governance is awarded to students that complete all the curricular units of the 1st year of the PhD Programme (total of 60 ECTS).

Access to Further Studies

Not applicable