Through its PhD programmes, the Doctoral School offers the highest level of specialisation, both in terms of research and of specific contribution to dialogue with society. The aim of the Doctoral School is to support each student’s specialisation process by developing and coordinating the necessary strategies, and by applying the interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approach that is typical of Sophia.
Doctoral School

Structure of the Doctoral School
Head of the School: Prof. Daniela Ropelato
The Doctoral School Council is comprised of the Head of the School and the Department Coordinators.
The Council examines PhD applications and supervises the admissions process and the evaluation of candidates. Successful applications are selected on the basis of the submitted research proposals.
For more information: phd@sophiauniversity.org
Admission to the Doctoral School: procedure and deadlines
Applicants for PhD should normally hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification earned after a minimum of five years of study (300 ECTS or more). The statutory duration of the programme is three academic years. However, it may be extended.
Applicants are requested to submit the following documents to the Registrar’s Office by 15th February of the academic year before the intended start of the PhD programme:
a) the standard PhD application form, in which candidates should briefly state their motivations for choosing to study at Sophia;
b) a research proposal (10,000 characters minimum, spaces included) addressing the following points:
- a presentation of the topic, with precise references to the published literature and the motivation behind the choice of the subject area;
- the hypotheses to be tested;
- the methodology to be used in the research;
- a provisional bibliography.
Applicants should also submit:
a) their personal and professional CV;
b) complete academic records for each qualification obtained;
c) documentation of any other relevant study or research activity they may have undertaken;
d) a copy of their Master’s dissertation or other academically recognised document of an equivalent standard and a copy of their publications (if applicable).
Each candidate will be contacted for an interview with one or more Sophia professors (in person or online), which will take place before 15th March. Application decisions will be made by the end of March. Successful candidates will be notified by the Registrar’s Office and informed of the choice of a Supervisor designated for them by the Council.
PhD candidates who have not completed a Master’s degree at Sophia will be expected to attend courses and pass the corresponding exams for a minimum of 30 ECTS.
At the end of the first year, before 15th October, candidates are expected to submit a request for the final approval of their research proposal to the Head of the Doctoral School. The request should include the provisional title, the revised and detailed research proposal, a comprehensive bibliography and a suitable timetable for the project.
The Doctoral School Council will then assign each candidate two Co-Supervisors who, alongside the Supervisor, will serve as the Doctoral Committee.
Pre-discussion and final public discussion
At the end of the public discussion, the candidate is awarded the title of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). This is followed by the publication of the thesis in the Institute Library and/or on the Institute website.