Programme
The PhD 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, which is embedded in the Department of Social & Political Sciences, awarded as "Department of Excellence 2023-2027" by the Italian Ministry of University & Research.
The Faculty includes scholars from leading international and Italian universities: European University Institute, Central European University, University of Florida, University of Lausanne, University of Milan, University of Pavia, 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 aims to train young researchers who can be employed in academic institutions, research centres, public and private organizations and think tanks. Former doctoral students also work as officials in EU institutions, national public administrations and political institutions, as well as data 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, doctoral students are assigned to one of the 5 Research Areas (RA):
• Comparative Political Institutions & European Union Politics
• Public policy & Welfare State
• Public Opinion, Political Communication & Political Behavior
• International Studies
• Political & Legal Philosophy
Individual study plans are 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, PhD 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, PhD students work on their research project, go on visiting periods and start writing their dissertation under the supervision of both the supervisor and co-supervisor.
The research fields covered by the PhD Programme can be seen 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, doctoral students present their projects in front of the Faculty Board for admission to the 3rd year.
The 3rd year is dedicated to both completing the empirical research and 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. Also, they present their preliminary works at the main national and international conferences, as well as in the PhD POLS Seminar Series which is organized along the main POLS research areas and designed to allow doctoral students and junior researchers to present research findings in an informal and constructive environment, engaging with Faculty members and invited scholars.
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 Areas
The first-year study plan consists of a two-pronged training programme. First, it aims to provide a common background on up-to-date methods and approaches in the fields of political science and political philosophy. Second, it tailors an individualized training programme in five main specialization areas.
