Students who meet some of the criteria listed in Article 4 of the UDC PhD Policies and Regulations will be able to access to UDC PhD programmes.
Candidates matching one of the general entry requirements for PhD students will be assessed in accordance with the specific criteria and merits for each programme. Information relating to application procedures and requirements are included in the programme structure for each course.
The decision to offer a student a place on a UDC PhD programme is the result of an application-specific evaluation process, and does not affect the academic or professional status of the candidate’s existing qualifications.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 5: Applications.
30 places offered in academic year 2025/2026
The entry profile establishes the previous training requirements of the students to be admitted to the program. In general, anyone in any of the following situations may be admitted to the programme:
Cases that do not fit the admission profile will be studied by the CAPD, which may or may not proceed to admission, and establish specific training complements
Applications and registration for PhD programmes will be made using the online application system on the UDC website, accompanied by all necessary supporting documents. Applications and registration for external students will be made here.
If you need more information, you can check this sources the Application general procedure.
Programme admission criteria
The selection of students, both full-time and part-time, will be based on the following criteria:
Thesis proposal, alignment with the programme’s research lines and endorsement by a potential supervisor (50%). The rationale for the proposal, objectives, methodology and feasibility will be assessed. The maximum score will be awarded when the proposal is endorsed by a member of the programme’s academic staff. A score of 30% in this criterion will be required for admission.
Academic record (20%), weighted according to its relevance to the programme’s research lines.
Predoctoral research grants or contracts (10%), awarded through competitive calls.
Professional experience and previous publications (10%). Publications indexed in JCR (10%) and SJR (5%), weighted according to their relevance to the programme’s research lines.
Foreign language proficiency (10%): accredited level B2 or higher, or equivalent.
All merits must be supported by documentary evidence.
Documentation to be submitted:
Thesis proposal and, where applicable, proposed supervision and endorsement.
Where applicable, form completed by the proposed supervisor(s) confirming compliance with the requirements for thesis supervision/co-supervision.
National identity document (DNI) or passport.
Official university degrees and academic transcript, including the average grade.
Where applicable, certificate of specialised healthcare training.
Short curriculum vitae (CV) and supporting documentation for the merits claimed.
The documentation must be verified by the UADI/UXAI upon presentation of the original documents, except where the documents include a secure verification code (CSV).
The application for admission (or registration renewal) and enrollment in PhD studies will be carried out according to the terms approved by the Governing Council of the UDC.
See information on how to register for UDC PhD courses.