Program Overview

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PhD in Law

The PhD in Law is a 3rd cycle study program 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.

General Objectives of the Course

The general objectives of the course are to 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, and encourage them to take as a personal responsibility the pursuit of legal knowledge amidst the Portuguese-speaking legal community.

Admission Requirements

To apply for the PhD in Law, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Holders of a master's degree in law or legal equivalent, with a minimum grade of 14 points or equivalent
• Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional title that is recognized by the Scientific Council as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies
• Candidates who have passed the aptitude test for pedagogical and scientific capacity

Professional Goals

The professional goals of the PhD in Law program are:

• Teaching at the University level
• Scientific Research

Mode of Study

The mode of study for the PhD in Law program is full-time, face-to-face, and daytime.

Teaching/Evaluation Language

The teaching and evaluation language for the PhD in Law program is 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 program is performed according to the continuous evaluation method, which may include the elaboration, presentation, and defense of research work.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The learning objectives and intended skills of the PhD in Law program are to 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, and encourage them to take as a personal responsibility the pursuit of legal knowledge amidst the Portuguese-speaking legal community.

Course Coordinator(s)

The course coordinator for the PhD in Law program is Jorge Manuel Coutinho Abreu.

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

The ECTS departmental coordinators for the PhD in Law program are:

• João António Pinto Monteiro
• Miguel João de Almeida Costa

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

The qualification requirements and regulations for the PhD in Law program are set out in Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24 (modified by Decree-Law No. 115/2014, of August 7).

Graduation Requirements

The graduation requirements for the PhD in Law program are:

• 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

The PhD in Law program provides access to further studies, including Post-Doctoral in Law.

Study Programme

The study program for the PhD in Law includes the following 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

The academic year for the PhD in Law program is 5 years.

Course Type

The course type for the PhD in Law program is 3rd Cycle Studies.

DGES Code

The DGES code for the PhD in Law program is 9338.

Qualification Awarded

The qualification awarded for the PhD in Law program is a PhD in Law.

Duration

The duration of the PhD in Law program is 5 years.

ECTS Credits

The ECTS credits for the PhD in Law program are 300.0.

Annual Fee

The annual fee for the PhD in Law program is 1600.0.

Accreditations

The PhD in Law program is accredited by the Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior and the Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior.

Registration Number

The registration number for the PhD in Law program is R/A-Ef 1590/2011.