Political Studies

Programme

The PhD in Political Studies is a joint programme of the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan, which has been awarded a "Department of Excellence 2023-2027" grant by the Italian Ministry of University & Research, and the Department of Political and Social Sciences of the University of Pavia.

Starting from the 2025/2026 Academic Year, the University of Pavia serves as the administrative headquarters of the programme.

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 duration of the Programme is 4 years. The Ph.D. programme includes three main phases (see also the Presentation of the PhD programme here).

First Phase: 1st year and part of the 2nd year

The 1st year and part of the 2nd are spent in activities based at the NASP Graduate School in Social and Political Sciences, and partly at the University of Pavia.

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 62 credits through compulsory and elective courses (at least 45 credits, 13 classes) over the first two years, research project advancement (6 credits), attendance at international and peer seminars, conferences & summer schools (5 credits), and attendance at transferable skills courses (6 credits). Students must acquire at least 30 course-related credits by the end of the first year.

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 complete the coursework required by their study plan and work on their research project under the guidance of their supervisor and co-supervisor. 

The research fields covered by the PhD Programme are available here.

In order to advance to the next year, students will have to present the progress of their research at the Project Colloquium seminars and at the end of each academic year. 
Additionally, they must undertake visiting periods of at least 6 months at foreign universities in order to develop their research networks, carry out empirical fieldwork, in the case of qualitative research, or strengthen the theoretical and methodological foundations.

The 4th year is entirely dedicated to the writing and completion of the doctoral thesis. At the end of the 4th 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. They may present their preliminary works at the main national and international conferences, as well as in the PhD POLS Seminar Series. The seminar series is organized along the main POLS research areas and designed to allow doctoral students and junior researchers to present their 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, the time period to revise the thesis, before admission to the VIVA, cannot exceed 6 months.

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 provides a common background on the most advanced methods and approaches in the fields of political science and political philosophy. Second, it tailors an individualized training programme in five main specialization areas.

5 Research Areas