Programme
The Ph.D. in Political Studies is a joint programme of the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan and the Department of Political and Social Sciences of the University of Pavia.
The University of Milan runs the programme.
The Faculty includes scholars from several international and Italian universities: Central European University, University of Florida, University of Exeter, University of Lausanne, Catholic University Milan, University of Bologna, Polytechnic University of Turin, University of Turin, University of Valle d’Aosta, University of Padua, Bicocca University Milan.
Aims & Structure
The doctoral programme in Political Studies aims to train high-skilled professionals who can undertake research in academic institutions, research centers, public and private organizations and think tanks. Former Ph.D fellows are also employed as officials in EU institutions, national public administrations and political institutions, as well as data analysts and policy analysts in private companies in Italy and abroad.
The Ph.D. programme includes three main phases (see also the Presentation of the PhD programme here).
First Phase: 1st year
The 1st year is spent at NASP Graduate School in Social and Political Sciences.
After admission, the Ph.D. students are assigned to one of the 4 Research Paths (RP) and the study plan is designed accordingly.
Students must earn at least 60 credits through compulsory coursework and examinations (45 credits, 13 classes), research project advancement (6 credits), attendance to international and peer seminars, conferences & summer schools (9 credits).
During the first year, Ph.D. students also select a supervisor and a co-supervisor among Faculty members.
Second Phase: 2nd and 3rd year
During the 2nd and the 3rd year, Ph.D. students undertake research, visiting periods and dissertation writing under the supervision of a member of the Faculty.
The lines of research covered by the PhD Programme can be consulted here.
The 2nd year is partly spent on visiting abroad and devoted to finalize the research design, conduct the empirical research and start drafting the dissertation. At the end of the 2nd year, Ph.D. Students present their projects in front of the Faculty Board for admission to the 3rd year.
The 3rd year is dedicated to the completion of the empirical research and to writing the doctoral thesis. At the end of the 3rd year, the dissertation is sent to the Faculty Board and then submitted for external review.
Ph.D. students may also be involved in teaching activities as tutors, and they are encouraged to present their preliminary works at the main national and international conferences.
Third Phase
The third phase includes the review process, subsequent thesis revision & completion and, ultimately, the VIVA.
The dissertation is reviewed by two external referees who may:
i) admit the candidate to the VIVA; ii) require amendments and revisions. In the latter case, up to 6 months may be allowed to revise the thesis before admission to the VIVA.
The examining committee is usually composed of 3 members.
Courses & Research Paths
The Ph.D. in Political Studies offers a two-levels training programme. First, the acquisition of a common background on the most up-to-date knowledge and methods in the field of political science and political philosophy. Second, an individualized training programme in four main paths of specialization.
