Applying for PhD programmes

Remember:

• Start by obtaining information on how to enrol as soon as possible. The programme always involves a call for applications and a selection. The latter is detailed in the call for applications and in the individual PhD programme overviews;
• Each PhD programme establishes the language requirements for admission, which you can consult in the overview of the PhD programme you have chosen;
• If you are off-site, search for accommodation in advance;
• If you hold a foreign qualification, collect and prepare the documents you need (timings may change depending on the country where you obtained your qualification).

I wish to apply

Take part in the selection

Follow this route if:

• you are a citizen of an EU member country: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Hungary;
• you are a citizen of one of these countries: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the Republic of San Marino;
• you have dual citizenship, one of which is in the European Union.

Remember:

• Start by obtaining information on how to enrol as soon as possible. The programme always involves a call for applications and a selection. The latter is detailed in the call for applications and in the individual PhD programme overviews;
• Consult the language requirements of your chosen PhD in the PhD overview;
• Search for accommodation in advance.

I wish to apply

Take part in the selection

Check whether you have one or more of the following requirements for equivalent status:

• You are a citizen of a non-EU country, but you have one of the following residence permits, issued by the Italian Government (non-EU students with EU equivalent status):
• EU permit for long-term residents (previously, EC residence permit for long-term residents or residence card);
• for employment, self-employment or investors;
• for family reasons;
• for political asylum and subsidiary protection;
• for religious reasons;
• for “casi speciali” (art. 18, 18 bis and 22 par. 12-quarter, Leg. Decree 25 July 1998, no. 286);
• for “calamità” (art. 20 bis, Leg. Decree 25 July 1998, no. 286);
• for “atti di particolare valore civile” (art. 42 bis, Leg. Decree 25 July 1998, no. 286);
• for “protezione speciale” (art. 32, par. 3, Leg. Decree 28 January 2008, no. 25). Important: except in cases of entry into Italy for work, any visa and the sole request for the first issue of one of the residence permits indicated do not confer the EU equivalent status. Contact the International Desk to check your situation. If you have applied for international protection, contact the International Desk for guidance;
• “Carta di soggiorno” for UK citizens (art. 50 TUE; art.18.4 Withdrawal agreement EU-UK). If the card is not available yet, UK citizens can submit a certificate (“attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica”) issued by the Municipality of residence, which proves registration by 31st December 2020;
• for temporary protection (Italian Prime Ministerial Decree of 28 March 2022). The residence permit for temporary protection is temporary and at the moment Italian law does not provide for the possibility of converting it into a student permit;
• you are a citizen of a non-EU country, but you have been a resident in Italy for at least one year and you hold a degree obtained in Italy, which gives you access to the programme of choice (non-EU students with EU equivalent status);
• you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you have obtained the qualification giving access to your chosen programme in Italy, and you hold a valid residence permit for study purposes;
• you or a member of your family are part of the staff serving in foreign Diplomatic Missions or in international organisations based in Italy and you hold a Diplomatic Identity Card issued by MAECI (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) or a 'Mission' Residence Permit. Please note: the 'Mission' permit cannot be converted into a 'Student' permit.

If you have one or more requirements and an Italian qualification

Take part in the selection

If you have one or more requirements and a qualification obtained abroad

Take part in the selection

If are not eligible for equal treatment

Take part in the selection

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and reside outside Italy, you can follow this route.

Before you begin, remember:

• Start by obtaining information on how to enrol as soon as possible. The programme always involves a call for applications and a selection. The latter is detailed in the call for applications and in the individual PhD programme overviews;
• Consult the language requirements of your chosen PhD in the PhD overview;
• Plan your arrival in Italy months in advance:
• Search for accommodation in Italy;
• Collect documentation on your foreign qualification (the time required may depend on the country in which you obtained it);
• Check with the embassy or consulate for your entry visa: the time required to obtain one depends on the country you come from.

I wish to apply

Take part in the selection