Dissertation
Guidance on theses
The thesis must consist of at least three chapters, in addition to an introduction and conclusions.
Each chapter may take the form of a paper prepared for submission to a scientific journal, in accordance with the standards of the relevant academic discipline.
Alternatively, each chapter may be written specifically for the thesis and need not follow the format of a journal article.
In the introduction, the PhD candidate must clearly indicate which chapters have been produced in collaboration with others, specifying his or her individual contribution.
In the case of co-authored chapters, the supervisor shall carry out a preliminary assessment to determine whether the candidate’s contribution is sufficient for the chapter to qualify as part of the doctoral thesis, and may request any necessary revisions or integrations.
Following the supervisor’s positive evaluation, the Faculty Board shall formally decide whether the thesis manuscript is suitable for submission to external reviewers.
Doctor Europaeus certification
In addition to the PhD title, a Doctor Europaeus certificate is awarded by the University upon resolution of the academic board, when the following four conditions established by the Confederation of European Union Rectors' Conferences and accepted by the European Universities Association (EUA) are met:
a) the discussion of the thesis is carried out subject to the presentation of a positive judgement on the thesis work granted by at least two professors or researchers belonging to two institutions of two countries of the European geographical area different from the one in which the thesis is discussed;
b) at least one member of the examination board belongs to an academic institution of a country of the European geographical area other than the country where the thesis is discussed;
c) part of the discussion of the thesis is conducted in one of the official languages of the European geographical area other than that of the country where the thesis is discussed;
d) part of the research presented in the thesis was carried out during a stay of at least three months, even if not consecutive, in a country of the European geographical area different from that of the PhD student's enrolment and origin.
Last update
22.04.2026