Research Doctorate

Research Doctorate is the highest degree of education contemplated in the Italian academic system and is geared for the acquisition of the skills required for carrying through highly qualified research activities in universities, public corporations and private companies. The ultimate aim of the Research Doctorate is to foster scientific and technological progress and, at the same time, to form a governing class with a high level professional culture and a corresponding opening out to the international situation.
The first part of the programme is dedicated to acquire high level competencies in specific research areas while the second part is be mainly devoted to the development of the research project that will be the subject of the final thesis.
The Doctoral Schools at the University of Trento receive funds from Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trento e Rovereto and Comune di Trento.

Length
The minimum official length of the Research Doctorate period is three years: each academic year begins on the 1st of November and ends on the 31st of October. The Doctoral students are requested to attend all the formative activities.
Admission requirements:
* “Laurea specialistica” (“magistrale”), according to Ministerial Decree no.270/2004;
* University degree of the previous regulations in force;
* of a similar degree, equivalent as concerns  the duration and content to the italian one, achieved abroad, on the basis of international cooperation as well, previously recognised by the Doctoral School Committee,

Admission
Admission to Research Doctorate can be done by public selection.
Notice is published in the “Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana”, 4th special series “Concorsi ed esami”, every year between February and July.
The selections are done within November of every year.

Doctoral title conferral
The title of Doctor of Research is conferred by the Rector of the University at the end of the programme after passing the final examination consisting in the presentation of a thesis in front of the Examination Committee.

Grants
The number of grants conferred shall not be less than half of the positions announced.
Grants are assigned on the basis of the merit-based ranking of applicants drawn up by the Admissions Committee and are awarded for the entire duration of the Doctorate, following confirmation by the Doctoral School Committee of the results achieved every year by Doctoral students.

Enrolment tax
Doctoral students must pay the "Tax for the right to university study" (TDS), that amounts 130 Euros for the academic year 2011/2012.