Environmental and Sustainability Studies
Education objectives
Leadership in the business sector, public administration, non-governmental organisations, academia, and society at large requires deep technical and scientific knowledge, combined with an understanding of the environmental, social, cultural, economic, and institutional dimensions of sustainable development. Addressing contemporary challenges demands an integrated and interdisciplinary approach that combines innovation, applied research, and the ability to connect various scientific fields.
The complexity, scale, and unpredictability of sustainability transition challenges are shaped by new scientific and technological paradigms, as well as emerging conflicts, crises, values, and societal frameworks. These factors call for scientific research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. The PhD Programme in Environment and Sustainability offers a dynamic and collaborative environment, fostering integration into international scientific networks.
This doctoral programme creates opportunities for academic and professional careers in business and public organisations, preparing PhD students to lead transformation in strategic sectors and accelerate the sustainability transition at different scales—local, regional, national, and global.
Why this PhD Programme?
Strong and integrative scientific training – Develops a robust scientific culture in environment and sustainability, providing a holistic and integrated view of sustainable development challenges.
Capacity to solve sustainability problems – Equips students with tools to analyse and address complex challenges, focusing on applied research as a foundation for creating innovative solutions.
Interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approach – Integrates knowledge from various scientific fields, fostering a systemic and collaborative perspective to effectively address sustainability issues with societal impact.
International research opportunities – Enables integration into global research teams and international scientific networks, facilitating cooperation and mobility between leading institutions and expanding career perspectives.
Support for employability and entrepreneurship – Prepares PhD graduates for the national and international job market, encouraging the creation of businesses in sustainability and strengthening the connection between R&D and the economic and business sector.
Career opportunities
Technical-scientific consultant
Corporate sustainability manager
Creation of start-ups in environment and sustainability (e.g., development of new technologies or business models)
University professor
Researcher in universities, research centres, or laboratories
Specialist or advisor in public organisations
Science and R&D project manager
General characterization
DGES code
1176
Cicle
PhD (3rd Cycle)
Degree
Doutor
Access to other programs
Available soon
Coordinator
Tomás Augusto Barros Ramos
Opening date
October
Vacancies
15
Fees
Portuguese students: 2 750 Euros/ year
Foreign students: 2 750 Euros/ year
Schedule
Daytime and tutorial-based regime
Teaching language
Available soon
Degree pre-requisites
Duration: 3 anos
Credits: 180 ECTS
Environmental and Sustainability Sciences Speciality
| Scientific Area | Acronym | Mandatory ECTS | Optional ECTS |
| Environmental and Sustainability Sciences | CAS | 174 | 0 |
| Transferable skill or Environmental Sciences and Engineering | CT / CEA | 0 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 174 | 6 | |
Environmental and Sustainability Engineering Speciality
| Scientific Area | Acronym | Mandatory ECTS | Optional ECTS |
| Environmental and Sustainability Enginerring | EAS | 174 | 0 |
| Transferable skill or Environmental Sciences and Engineering | CT / CEA | 0 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 174 | 6 | |
Conditions of admittance
Applicants to the PhD Programme in Environment and Sustainability must meet the admission requirements outlined in the General Regulations for PhD Programmes at FCT NOVA, fulfilling at least one of the following criteria:
- Holders of a master''s degree or legally equivalent qualification;
- Holders of a bachelor''s degree with an especially relevant academic or scientific curriculum, recognised as demonstrating the ability to undertake this PhD programme by the Scientific Committee;
- Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum recognised as demonstrating the ability to undertake this PhD programme by the Scientific Committee.
Additional Application Assesment Elements
- Motivation letter, in which the applicant identifies and justifies their research interests and motivation to join the programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, such as pre-specified levels of achievement in TOEFL (>100) or the First Certificate in English.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Successful performance in an admission interview, conducted by the PhD Programme''s Scientific Committee.
Admission Requirements
-
Applicants of any nationality may apply.
A minimum master''s degree grade of 16/20 (or equivalent) is generally required, though candidates with lower grades may be admitted in well-justified cases, subject to assessment by the Scientific Committee.
Selection criteria
Candidate selection is the responsibility of the PhD Programme’s Scientific Committee, based on the evaluation of the submitted documents. Pre-selected applicants may be invited for an interview. The selection process involves the following components:
-
Academic and scientific record (70% with an interview or 100% without an interview), including:
- Academic degrees and achieved results;
- English language proficiency;
- Professional experience and relevant skills;
- Scientific curriculum: research experience (e.g., projects, laboratory work, fieldwork), scientific output (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, national and international conferences), or other relevant academic work.
-
Interview (30%), conducted on a case-by-case basis, either in person or via video conference. The interview assesses:
- Motivation and integration prospects within the programme;
- Transferable skills;
- Knowledge of research methodologies;
- Creativity and innovative thinking;
- Ability to develop new ideas and projects;
- Funding perspectives.
Evaluation rules
Available soon
Structure
| 1.º Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Name | ECTS |
| 11426 | Thesis Plan | 24.0 |
| 11427 | Thesis | 150.0 |
| 1.º Semester - Opção I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Name | ECTS |
| Options | ||
| 13220 | Transferable Skills | 3.0 |
| 11980 | Option 1 | 3.0 |
| 11981 | Option 2 | 3.0 |
| 11428 | Seminar | 3.0 | O aluno deverá obter 3.0 créditos nesta opção. |
| 1.º Semester - Opção II | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Name | ECTS |
| Options | ||
| 13220 | Transferable Skills | 3.0 |
| 11980 | Option 1 | 3.0 |
| 11981 | Option 2 | 3.0 |
| 11428 | Seminar | 3.0 | O aluno deverá obter 3.0 créditos nesta opção. |
| 2.º Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Name | ECTS |
| Options | ||
| 11981 | Option 2 | 3.0 |