PhD in Political Science

General characterization

Degree pre-requisites

Length: 8 semesters. Total credits: 240 credits (60 from curricular units + 180 credits from the non teaching component). Non teaching component modalities: Thesis. Number of credits for free option scheme: 10 credits. The free seminar option can be chosen among curricular units from the postgraduate training offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FCSH/NOVA), in other units of NOVA University of Lisbon, or other institutions of national Higher Education or foreign, by agreement or protocol.
The degree of «doutor» corresponds to the level 8 of the NQF and EQF-National Qualifications Framework/European Qualifications Framework.

Conditions of admittance

The entry requirements are mentioned in Article 5 of study cycles regulation concerning the conditions laid down in national legislation and UNL doctoral programme call for application, observing at least one of the following conditions, namely: a) Hold a Master's’ degree, or equivalent, b) Hold a Bachelor’s degree and have an academic and scientific curriculum recognized by the Scientific Council (SC) of FCSH; c) have an academic, scientific or professional curriculum recognized by the SC. Candidates are selected taking into account the classification of the Master’s degree or of the Bachelor’s degree, the academic and scientific curriculum and professional experience. Taking into consideration those criterias, candidates need a minimum of 14/20 grade. An essay might be requested. An interview should be conducted, especially in cases where the Scientific Commission of the doctoral programme wishes to learn more about the application.

Evaluation rules

The cycle of studies leading to the degree of Doutoramento (Doctorate) includes following a doctoral programme that consists of course units aimed at providing training to do research, and the submission of an original doctoral thesis especially written for the purpose and which is appropriate to the nature of the branch of knowledge or speciality and which contributes to expanding the boundaries of knowledge. Grades for the seminar-type course units are awarded using a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 20. The final grade awarded to the doctoral course is expressed by Approved or Not Approved. When a candidate is awarded an Approved classification, the final grade of the doctoral course is expressed as a number between 10 and 20, on a scale of 0 to 20, and is the mathematical average of the grades obtained, in which the course units with 10 ECTS have a weighting of 1 while the final thesis has a weighting of 2. The research project is defended in a public defence held at the end of the semester in which the student concludes the doctoral course. It is assessed by a jury comprising 3 members. The thesis is awarded a classification of Approved or Refused through a justified nominal vote with no abstentions permitted; if the thesis is approved, the jury then votes on a grade which may be Good, Good with Distinction or Very Good. The final qualification is awarded under the terms of Article 36, nº 2 of Decree-Law 74/2006, of 24 March, altered by Decree-Law n.º 107/2008, of 25 June, 230/2009, of 14 September, 115/2013, of 7 August, 63/2016, of 13 September, 65/2018, of 16 August.

Structure

Paths

• Specialization in Theory and Political Analysis
• Specialization in Public Policy
• Specialization in Political Institutions and Processes
• Specialization in Elites and Political Behaviors