At the end of the PhD, your thesis is evaluated by two or more experts chosen from among high-level academics and researchers external to the university. The PhD qualification is awarded by the Rector, after you pass the final exam, which involves a public discussion of the thesis before a commission.

All final year PhD students are required to submit their application for admission to the thesis evaluation procedure to obtain the qualification. It is possible to request an extension of up to 12 months, for proven reasons that do not allow the thesis to be submitted within the expected timeframe.

The final exam may be scheduled within six months of the end of the PhD, unless an extension has been requested. 

The application to award the qualification must be submitted through the online Esse3 procedure, including the AlmaLaurea questionnaire, and a fee of 72 euro (including two tax stamps). The application must be submitted by the end of the last year of the course.

If there are delays in the procedure, the deadlines will be communicated by the PhD office. It is also possible to request an extension, which requires the payment of 16,00 euro through PagoPA.

If an extension has been requested, the application for evaluation of the thesis must still be submitted before the end of the extension period and by the set deadline.

The information necessary for collection of the PhD Diploma, which usually occurs within three months of the final exam, will be communicated via email. If you need your diploma to go abroad, it is recommended that you contact the Government Commissioner of Trento for legalisation.

Your @unitn.it email address will remain active for 180 days after your qualification has been awarded. After this period, it will no longer be possible to access the University’s Google services. To stay in contact with the University, you must update your personal email address.

The PhD degree is awarded after students pass the final exam, consisting of the discussion of the doctoral thesis.

The procedure is regulated by the University Regulations on Doctoral Studies, issued by Rector's Decree no. 250 of 11 March 2022, in particular Title VII (Attainment of the PhD qualification).

The final exam must be scheduled within six months of the end of the PhD programme, unless an extension has been granted.

Assessment procedure

PhD students admitted to the final examination procedure by the Faculty board of the PhD programme must submit the thesis (with a report on the activities carried out during the course and any publications) to the judgment of at least two external evaluators (referees), designated by the Board itself.

The referees will express a written opinion on the thesis, which may be:

• admitted to the discussion, with a positive opinion or minor revisions, if the work needs minor changes or integrations;
• postponed for a period not exceeding 6 months, if major revisions or improvements are necessary.

After this period, the thesis is in any case admitted to the discussion and will be accompanied by a new written opinion from the same referees, formulated in the light of the changes or integrations provided.

Public discussion of the thesis

After obtaining the final opinion of the referees, the Faculty board appoints the members of the Examination Committees.

The final examination takes place before the Committee and consists of the public discussion of the thesis.

At the end of the discussion, the thesis is approved or rejected and the Committee provides a reasoned written opinion. The Committee, with a unanimous vote, has the right to award honours ("lode") if the results achieved are of particular scientific importance. Students whose thesis is rejected lose the status of doctoral candidates.

The date and place of examination will be communicated to the doctoral candidates by email to their @unitn address or may be announced by publication on the University's website.

A copy of the thesis must be sent to all members of the Committee, once they are appointed.

Note: contact the PhD programme's Office for all information regarding the submission of the thesis to the Faculty board and referees for the purposes of admission to the evaluation procedure.

Thesis deposit

At least ten days before the date set for the final exam, candidates must deposit the following documents on IRIS, the institutional research registry portal (login to IRIS with university credentials):

• a copy of their thesis in pdf format;
• a copy of the IRIS deposit disclaimer.

For more information on the IRIS portal, visit the Scientific Production Management page.

The guidelines for uploading the doctoral theses can be found on the IRIS website in the doctoral theses section.