Compatibility, incompatibility and non-accumulation regime for PhD programmes

Status as a PhD Student, obtained on enrolling for a PhD programme, commences from the programme start date and is maintained until the PhD is awarded, or until exclusion or withdrawal from the programme. The compatibility and incompatibility regimes lapse from the end of the legal duration of the course (Articles 15 and 16 of the regulations for cycle 38 and subsequent articles and Articles 16 and 17 of the regulations for cycles up to 37).

PhD work is an exclusive commitment carried out on a full-time basis. Nevertheless, certain activities are allowed.

Compatibility with other university courses

Starting in academic year 2022/23, enrolment in a PhD programme is compatible with the simultaneous enrolment in a degree programme, second cycle/two-year master's degree or a non-medical specialisation programme. Since attendance at a PhD programme is an exclusive, full-time commitment, in order to attend another degree programme, master's degree programme, second cycle/two-year master's degree or specialisation programme at the same time, you will need to request authorisation from the Academic Board. Article 7 of Ministerial Decree 226/2021 applies to students of Medical Specialisation Schools. For more information see the section Simultaneous enrolment in different programmes.

Activities whose compatibility must be assessed by the Academic Board

PhD students may carry out the following activities, subject to the prior authorisation of the Academic Board and the favourable opinion of the supervisor.

• practical and professional internships not included in the PhD programme, on condition that their basis and timing allow the activities envisaged in the PhD programme to be carried out and in the absence of any specific conflicts of interest;
• tutoring and supplementary teaching activities not envisaged in the PhD programme, subject to the limits laid down by the regulations on teaching and tutoring contracts, issued by R.D. 418/2011 of 20 April 2011;
• paid activities that enable the acquisition of skills relevant to the PhD programme, subject to assessment of the compatibility of such activities with the successful completion of the training, teaching and research activities of the PhD programme.

How to request authorisation to carry out other activities

Before the start of the activity, the PhD students must fill in the appropriate form accessible from the PhD students application for examination by the supervisor and approval by the Board or by the Coordinator, specifically delegated for this purpose by the Board.

PhD students up to the 37th cycle must fill in the appropriate form for requesting authorisation to carry out compatible activities (in Italian) [.pdf 370 KB] and send it to the coordinator.

If the activity continues in the following academic year, the request must be renewed.

The PhD Students who are already carrying out other activities at the time of matriculation must present the application in good time, so that it can be examined by the Academic Board at the opening session, during which the PhD Student is formally assigned a research project and a supervisor.

For PhD scholarships funded under PON and PNRR projects subject to specific obligations, please refer to the rules contained in the relevant calls for applications.

Incompatible activities

Enrolment for a PhD programme is incompatible with:

•  the concurrent enrolment in another PhD programme, and in the other cases provided for by the legislation in force;
•  appointment as an adjunct lecturer responsible for teaching or learning and language training modules at any university or body that awards academic qualifications.

Incompatibility with PhD scholarship

​Scholarships may not be accumulated with:

• other scholarships awarded on whatever basis, except those granted by national or international institutions, or institutions established in foreign countries, aimed at funding periods spent abroad;
• the payments made to doctors undergoing specialist training. Scholarship payments shall be suspended for the period of concurrent enrolment in a medical specialisation school;

Violation for incompatibility and of the non-accumulation regime referred to above shall result in the exclusion from the PhD programme.