PhD in Law

General Objectives of the Course

This cycle of studies is designed to provide doctoral students with specialized legal knowledge in a specific area of Law, as well as the basic tools to carry out original scientific research and applications that will contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge in the Law field.

Admission Requirements

May apply to the course leading to the degree of PhD of Law:
- Holders of master's degree in law or legal equivalent, with a minimum grade of 14 points or equivalent;
- The wizards that have passed the aptitude test pedagogical and scientific capacity;
- Holders of an academic, scientific or professional that is recognized by the Scientific Council as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies.

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

Professional Goals

Teaching at the University level; Scientific Research.

Mode of Study

Full-time, face-to-face and daytime

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The doctoral evaluation system is set out in the Coimbra Faculty of Law Doctoral Regulations approved by the Faculty Assembly in June 2015 and the University of Coimbra Academic Regulations.
Evaluation in the doctoral programme is performed according to the continuous evaluation method, which may include the elaboration, presentation and defense of research work. Final evaluation of PhD candidates who have successfully completed a specialized seminar in the doctoral programme is determined according to a numerical grading scale, to which the following qualitative grading scale corresponds: 10-13 = Fair; 14-15 = Good; 16-17 = Very Good; 18-20 = Excellent. Evaluation in the general seminar covers a subject matter not comprised in the candidate’s area of expertise, and is expressed in a Pass / Fail basis. The final grade in the doctoral programme reflects the arithmetic average of the marks earned in the seminars and the corresponding qualitative mark. Evaluation of the Thesis proposal falls to the supervisor and is expressed in a Pass / Fail basis. Doctoral examinations consist of a public oral discussion, before a board of examiners, of an original Thesis intended for that specific purpose and under the scope of both legal sciences in general and the legal branch specifically concerned. Final grading is expressed in a Rejected / Approved basis; if the latter, one of the following final grades is granted: Approved, Approved with distinction, Approved with distinction and honor. The final grade is granted by the doctoral examiners on the basis of the merits of the Thesis publicly defended by the candidate. Final grading of candidates enrolled in the doctoral programme with course work will also take into consideration the final grade in the doctoral course.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

These are the core goals of this cycle of studies: provide students with advanced training and high skills in the analysis and the understanding of a particular issue in a specific theoretical area; ensure students’ ability to shape the method and the goals of their research according to recognized academic standards; ensure students’ ability to transmit their progress in studies and their scientific output to different audiences; encourage them take as a personal responsibility the pursuit of legal knowledge amidst the Portuguese-speaking legal community. Thus, this 3rd Cycle is designed to train students in their ability to apply their knowledge and skills to new and complex situations to which they are expected to bring a proper solution.

Course Coordinator(s)

Jorge Manuel Coutinho Abreu
uc32364@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

Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24 (modified by Decree-Law No. 115/2014, of August 7)

Graduation Requirements

Achievement of the passing grade in a set of curricular units that amount to a total of 300 ECTS.
PhD with course – 10 semesters/ 300 ECTS (60 ECTS obtained with the approval in the General Seminar and in the Specialized Seminars, and 240 ECTS obtained with the approval in Dissertation).
PhD without course - 10 semesters/ 300 ECTS (obtained with approval in the Dissertation).

Access to Further Studies

Post-Doctoral in Law

Study Programme

Paths: Business Law Sciences – PhD with course option; Business Law Sciences – PhD without course option; Civil Law – PhD with course option; Civil Law – PhD without course option; Criminal Law Sciences – PhD with course option; Criminal Law Sciences – PhD without course option; Economic Law Sciences – PhD with course option; Economic Law Sciences – PhD without course option; European Union Law – PhD with course option; European Union Law – PhD without course option; Historical Law Sciences – PhD with course option; Historical Law Sciences – PhD without course option; International Law – PhD with course option; International Law – PhD without course option; Philosophical Law Sciences – PhD with course option; Philosophical Law Sciences – PhD without course option; Procedure Law Sciences – PhD with course option; Procedure Law Sciences – PhD without course option; Public Law – PhD with course option; Public Law – PhD without course option

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

DGES Code: 9338

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 5 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 300.0

Annual Fee: 1600.0

Applications

Call for Applications

PhD in Law

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2019-07-31 a 2025-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Ef 1590/2011; 2016-05-16