Program Overview

PhD Programme in Political and Social Sciences

The PhD Programme in Political and Social Sciences is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and research skills in the field of political and social sciences.

About

• Presentation: The program is presented by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields.
• Faculty members: The faculty members are renowned for their research and teaching excellence.
• Academic Committee: The Academic Committee is responsible for overseeing the program and ensuring its academic quality.
• Students: The program attracts students from diverse backgrounds and countries.
• Quality assurance: The program is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and academic excellence.
• Equality Policy: The program adheres to an equality policy that promotes fairness and equal opportunities for all students.

Admission & Enrolment

• Admission: Admission to the program is based on a competitive selection process.
• Selection procedure: The selection procedure involves a thorough evaluation of the applicant's academic background, research experience, and potential.
• Online Application: Applications are submitted online through the university's website.
• Annual enrolment: Students are enrolled annually, and the program starts in the fall semester.
• Grants and Scholarships: The program offers various grants and scholarships to support students' research and living expenses.

Academic activities

• Research Tools & Thesis Project Seminar: The seminar provides students with the necessary research tools and skills to develop their thesis projects.
• Conferences: The program organizes conferences and workshops that bring together renowned scholars and researchers in the field.
• Methodological Workshops: The workshops focus on advanced research methodologies and techniques.
• Instrumental workshops: The workshops provide students with hands-on experience in using various research instruments and software.
• Doctoral Workshop: The workshop is designed to support students in their research and thesis development.
• RECSM Winter & Summer School: The school offers intensive courses and training in research methods and techniques.
• Graduate Conferences: The conferences provide a platform for students to present their research and receive feedback from peers and experts.
• CÍCLIKS: CÍCLIKS is a research group that focuses on social and political sciences.
• Auditing Courses: Students can audit courses to broaden their knowledge and skills.
• PhD Research Seminars: The seminars provide a forum for students to present and discuss their research.
• Research Forum: The forum brings together researchers and scholars to discuss and debate current issues in the field.

Academic procedures

• Tutor and supervisor assignment: Students are assigned a tutor and supervisor who provide guidance and support throughout the program.
• Thesis co-supervision: The program allows for thesis co-supervision, where students can work with multiple supervisors.
• Joint supervision (agreement): The program offers joint supervision agreements with other universities, allowing students to work with supervisors from different institutions.
• Project defence: Students are required to defend their research projects as part of the program.
• Annual assessment: Students are assessed annually to evaluate their progress and performance.
• Research stays: Students can participate in research stays at other universities or research institutions.
• Mobility Grants (EBES): The program offers mobility grants to support students' research stays and collaborations with other institutions.
• Other mobility opportunities: The program provides other mobility opportunities, such as internships and research collaborations.
• Editing Grants: The program offers editing grants to support students in publishing their research.
• Part-time regime application: Students can apply for a part-time regime, which allows them to balance their research with other commitments.
• Leaves of absence: Students can take leaves of absence for personal or professional reasons.
• Thesis submission: Students are required to submit their thesis for evaluation and defence.
• Thesis deposit: Students are required to deposit their thesis in the university's repository.
• Thesis defence: Students are required to defend their thesis in front of a panel of experts.
• Other procedures: The program has other procedures in place, such as visiting students and research collaborations.

Doctoral thesis

• Thesis format: The thesis format is regulated by the university, and students are required to follow the guidelines.
• Rules for co-authored papers: The program has rules for co-authored papers, which students must follow.
• Read theses: Students can access and read theses written by previous students in the program.
• Doctoral School PhD Special Award: The program offers a special award for outstanding PhD research.
• Writing and editing your thesis: The program provides support and resources for students to write and edit their thesis.
• International Mention in the Doctoral Diploma: The program offers an international mention in the doctoral diploma for students who have completed a significant part of their research abroad.
• Ethics Review: The program has an ethics review process in place to ensure that research is conducted ethically and responsibly.

Joint supervision (agreement)

Students interested in applying for joint supervision under agreement with universities in other countries should check the following information:

Requirements

• Students must fulfil the same obligations as all UPF doctoral students: admission requirements
• The doctoral thesis has to be jointly supervised by at least two supervisors, one from the UPF and another from a foreign university. The two supervisors must carry out their tasks in a coordinated fashion.
• The doctoral student must spend at least nine months at one of the universities and the rest of their time at the other. The student's time at each university may be spent all at once or in different time spells.

Thesis Submission and Defence

• The student must submit the doctoral thesis at both universities.
• There will be a single defence at one of the universities.
• The doctoral thesis format will be regulated by the university where the thesis defence will take place.
• The thesis committee will be appointed by the relevant bodies of each university. It must be composed of a minimum of three members and a maximum of 5, with a majority of university external members. Thesis supervisor/s may only be part of a 5 full- member's committee. The thesis committee should also include two substitute members.
• The thesis must be graded by the evaluation systems of each participating university/country.

How to apply

• Submit the following documents to the PhD programme secretariat:
  • Application form
  • Thesis supervisors' report detailing the reasons for the joint supervision, and accepting the inclusion of a second university supervision (signed by both universities' thesis supervisors).
  • Proof of being enrolled at the other university.
  • If you are not a UPF student yet: copy of your degree qualification which gives you access to the current PhD programme
  • CV and passport photocopy of non-UPF supervisor.

Agreement template proposals: a) Template for agreements with EU countries b) Template for agreements with European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and other countries with equivalent data protection legislation (Switzerland, Andorra, Japan, Israel, Argentina, Uruguay, New Zealand). c) Template for agreements with other countries

Regulations on the joint supervision of doctoral thesis are in place to ensure that students receive proper guidance and support throughout their research.