Courses / Faculty of Arts and Humanities

PhD in History

General Objectives of the Course

Promoting excellence in teaching and research in the area of national and international history;
Encourage an ongoing quest for innovation and creativity;
Promoting pathways in scientific research and knowledge production in line with the new challenges posed by the humanities 2020 agenda;
Encourage questioning and deepening of knowledge in different areas of expertise (epochal trans-epochal, local/regional, national or international);
Develop the ability to critically and interdisciplinarily analyze different thematic areas;
Reflection on issues, concepts and theoretical and interpretative models in inter-and transdisciplinary dialogue with other Social Sciences and Humanities;
Encourage self learning and autonomy to build the knowledge and preparation of work leading to the PhD dissertation;
Production of material for the preservation of memory and historical knowledge and sustainability of society.

Admission Requirements

1- Applicants for admission to the PhD programme in History must be:
a) Holders of a master's degree, or legal equivalent;
b) Holders of a bachelor's degree, holders of a particularly relevant academic or scientific curriculum that is recognized as attesting
the capacity to complete this cycle of studies by the Academic Board of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities;
c) Holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the capacity to complete this cycle of
studies by the Academic Board of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Applicants must obtain a curricular evaluation equal to or
higher than 9.5 points.
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

The PhD in History will be able to develop activities in cultural and patrimonial areas, being allowed to accessorize private and public institutions, in the cultural area. The training will be of great value in the actual business world, with several possibilities: creating historic contents (features, videogames), historic events recreation, giving information for touristic and patrimonial development projects. It gives the necessary knowledge for a career as a teacher or researcher in a University, allowing the renewal of the teaching staff and the qualification of the active population.

Mode of Study

Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently enrolled. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever the grade comprises more than one.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Knowledge of the latest historiography, national and international trends in medieval, modern and contemporary history.
Identification of the main fields of the current historiographical agenda.
Extended historical culture and consequent ability to capture the complexity of societies and cultures (the medieval, modern and contemporary eras).
Understanding of the problems, the conceptualizations and methodologies inherent in research of new historiographical objects.
Competence in the face of the challenges posed by new methodologies, new technological documents and virtualization of files.
Ability to clearly explain, both orally and in writing, research findings, in particular the ability to edit sources and develop historiographical texts according to established standards.
Consolidation of skills and strengthening of autonomy in research and construction of the historical text.

Course Coordinator(s)

Maria Antónia da Silva Figueiredo Lopes
uc32125@uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Jaime Ricardo Teixeira Gouveia
uc43064@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law nr 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law nr 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording.

Graduation Requirements

Earning 240 ECTS that include a public defense of an original thesis.

Access to Further Studies

Post-doctoral research

Study Programme

Paths: Early Modern History; Medieval History; Modern and Contemporany History

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

DGES Code: 9341

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 4 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 240.0

Annual Fee: 1425.0

Applications

Call for Applications

3rd Cycle Course

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 07-09-2026
End date: 18-12-2026
2nd Semester: Start date: 08-02-2027
End date: 20-05-2027

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2025-07-31 a 2031-07-31
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 295/2015/AL01; 2025-10-03