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.
8 places offered in academic year 2025/2026
The entry profile establishes the knowledge, skills and abilities that the student who wishes to access this programme must possess and, as a consequence, the most suitable qualifications for access to the programme and that determine admission and, where appropriate, the need or not for complementary training by doctoral students.
This programme will give direct access to students who have a master's degree linked to degrees in the area of Engineering and Sciences linked to the fields of knowledge of Agricultural Sciences and Food Technology, Environmental Sciences and Ecology, Education Sciences, Earth Sciences, Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Computer and Systems Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Medicine, Veterinary and interdisciplinary, Social Sciences, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Pharmacy, Nutrition and Dietetics that make up the previous knowledge to carry it out. A good level of English is recommended.
Program-Specific Access Requirements
It is a mandatory requirement for admission to the doctoral programme that the candidate must submit a report consisting of a letter of reference from a lecturer of the programme that i) endorses the potential viability of the future thesis within the framework of a line of research of the programme to which it is linked, and that ii) he could act as a director if he met the necessary requirements for it.
In addition, given the characteristics and scientific level of the doctoral programme, it is recommended that the candidate must have an adequate level of English, Spanish or Galician not only to be able to carry out the thesis in one of the common languages of scientific communication at an international level currently in the field of knowledge of the thesis, but because the courses, both specific and transversal training, as well as various activities of the program, can be carried out in these languages.
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.
These criteria will allow the selection of admitted candidates if there are more applications than places.
The selection of students for admission to the programme will be made based on the following criteria:
• Academic record (60%) determined by the grades obtained in the bachelor's and master's degree (or DEA or research proficiency).
• Previous research experience and its results (10%): In this section, publications, communications to conferences and other scientific contributions and their suitability to the lines of research of the doctoral programme will be assessed. Candidates must submit supporting documentation.
• Professional experience (5%): In this section, professional experience related to the lines of research of the doctoral programme will be valued. Candidates must submit supporting documentation (certification of working life, copy of contracts, scholarships, etc.)
• Other accredited aspects in the candidate's CV (5%): In this section, research stays, courses taken and courses taught related to the programme's lines of research will be assessed, as well as knowledge of a foreign language with a B1 level or higher, knowledge of languages other than the mother tongue, etc. Candidates must submit supporting documentation.
• Personal interview (20%): In this section, motivation and aptitude, communication skills, etc., will be assessed, in the event that there is more demand than supply in the doctoral programme.
The same criteria will be applied to admit all candidates regardless of whether their dedication is full-time or part-time.
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.