PhD in Law
Education objectives
The main goal of the Programme is to provide advanced training to promote state-of-the-art academic research. In the process, the programme prepares the next generation of highly-qualified legal professionals to enter the market ready to face the challenges of our time and to pursue a career in academia. As well as fostering knowledge creation across all legal disciplines, the programme encourages an interdisciplinary and international approach to legal studies. It familiarises candidates with new technologies and research techniques, promotes team-based research and collaboration in all fields of the law, and creates networking opportunities with other national and international academic institutions.
General characterization
DGES code
9338
Cicle
PhD (3rd Cycle)
Degree
Access to other programs
Access to Post PhDPrograms
Coordinator
Cristina Queiroz, Margarida Lima Rego, Luis Duarte d'almeida
Opening date
October
Vacancies
25
Fees
Annual fee for the taught component: 3600€
Non-taught component (thesis), 1 year: 2000€ (from the 3rd semester on).
PHD MERIT AWARDS:
Candidates whose final classification for entry to a 3rd study cycle at NOVA School of Law, according to assessment and ranking by the respective jury, is equal to or higher than 70 (on a scale of 0/100) and who enrol and attend this study cycle at NOVA School of Law, will be awarded a prize in cash of an amount corresponding to 50% of the tuition fee they will pay for the academic phase of the Doctorate.
In the non-teaching phase of the doctorate, three academic merit awards are given each academic year to students at NOVA School of Law:
- The best student of the academic phase of a 3rd study cycle who continues and attends the non-academic phase will be awarded a prize in cash corresponding to 100% of the tuition fee they will pay for the non-academic phase of the PhD, if their average is equal to or higher than 18 (on a 0/20 scale).
- The second best student of the academic phase of a 3rd study cycle who continues and attends the non-academic phase, or the two best, if the first does not reach an average equal to or higher than 18, is awarded a prize in cash corresponding to 60% of the tuition fee they will pay, corresponding to the non-academic phase of the PhD.
- The third best student of the school phase of a 3rd study cycle who continues and attends the non-school phase is awarded a prize in cash corresponding to 40% of the tuition fee they will pay for the non-school phase of the PhD.
Only the marks obtained at NOVA School of Law will be taken into account to determine the best marks in the taught phase.
In the case of a tie, the tie-breaker will be determined by the average marks awarded in the compulsory course units of the taught phase of the PhD.
Only students who complete the academic phase in due time, whether they attend it full-time or part-time, are eligible for these academic merit awards.
Schedule
This course is taught on a mixed schedule.
Teaching language
English
Degree pre-requisites
The PhD degree is conferred to those who have obtained 240 ECTS, by passing the doctoral course (90 ECTS), and by preparing the doctoral thesis, its discussion and approval (150 ECTS).
Conditions of admittance
Holders of a master's degree or legal equivalent; Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum vitae of particular relevance that is recognised by the Scientific Council as attesting to a capacity equivalent to that of master's degree holders. Minimum command of the English language equivalent to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (the admission of candidates who do not provide proof of their command of the English language may be subject to the successful completion of a language test at an institution to be indicated by NOVA School of Law).
Evaluation rules
NOVA School of Law’s 3rd Cycle Programme in Law is a four-year programme leading to a PhD degree in law. The Programme comprises a taught component (over three semesters) where advanced legal studies are carried out with an interdisciplinary focus. This period also provides training in research methodologies and other complementary skills. Towards the end of the taught component of the Programme, candidates must prepare and publicly defend their thesis project. During the remaining part of the Programme (comprising five further semesters), candidates must complete their research under the guidance of their supervisor, culminating in the preparation and defence of their doctoral thesis. The Programme is internationally oriented. Its main language of instruction is English.
Structure
| 1º ano - 1º Semestre | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Name | ECTS |
| 22101 | Law and Society | 10 |
| 22110 | Methodologies of Legal Analysis | 10 |
| Options | ||
| 22114 | European Law | 10 |
| 22115 | International Law | 10 |
| 22116 | Criminal Law | 10 |
| 22121 | Law, Politics e Security | 10 |
| 22117 | Private Law | 10 |
| 22108 | Public Law | 20 |
| 1º ano - 2º Semestre | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Name | ECTS |
| 22112 | Methodology of Legal Research | 10 |
| 22113 | Scientific Publication | 10 |