A PhD is the key to a career in research career, whether in a university or a research center. It opens the door to teaching and research positions at universities worldwide. The work involved in writing thesis demonstrates exceptional intellectual ability and decision-making skills, which are increasingly sought after in the business world. As for training activities, in some cases these will be organized by the program, whilst in others, courses or other initiatives run by other universities or research centers may be recognized. Each student will make their own selection, with the help of their supervisor, based on their research plan. Once the admission process to the PhD programme has been completed, there will be a short introductory seminar (around 10 hours) in which the programme's research areas will be presented and organisational matters will be explained. In addition, the seminar will be complemented by the participation of an external expert from outside the organising universities, who will give a lecture and engage in dialogue with the students. This will serve as an initial opportunity for new students to meet the programme’s researchers. A follow-up seminar is also offered. This is the occasion on which second-year and subsequent-year students present the progress of their research. They must undertake this activity at least once before the thesis defence. This serves as an opportunity for current students to get to know the new intake. Students must also complete at least 4 hours of training in seminars specific to the programme, and a further 6 hours are recommended in cross-disciplinary courses on any of the following topics offered by the doctoral schools: research methods, research dissemination and communication in academic language, use of editing and data management software, access to documentation and bibliographic management, amongst others. During the first semester, students must draw up a research plan, which must include the state of the art, the methodology and the most important sources of information. This plan will be defended publicly before a committee comprising three members, usually two from the programme and one from outside it. At least one publication (conference paper, journal article or book chapter, peer-reviewed) is required during the entire period of the doctoral thesis. Finally, it is recommended that students undertake a placement with a research group working on a line of research related to the thesis topic, or one that enables them to develop a technique necessary for its completion.
This are the main research lines for current study.
The PhD supervision agreement defines the academic relationship between the candidate and the University, the rights and responsibilities of each (including any intellectual and/or industrial property rights resulting from the candidate’s research), the procedures in place in relation to conflict resolution, and the duration of the agreement. It also specifies the duties of the PhD tutor and supervisor.
The supervision agreement must be signed by the candidate, tutor and designated university representative (or representatives) within a maximum period of one month as from the date of registration. The supervisor’s signature may be added subsequently, once a supervisor has been appointed.
When the document has been signed by all the relevant parties, the agreement is then added to the candidate’s record of activities.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 13: Supervision agreement.
The candidate must prepare a research plan within six months of registration, with information regarding methodology, objectives, resources and milestones. The research plan is submitted together with the report of the supervisor and/or tutor for approval by the Academic Committee for PhD Programmes (CAPD). Improvements to the plan may be introduced with the approval of the supervisor and/or tutor based on the annual review of the student’s research progress.
Research plans are subject to annual review by the CAPD, including the report(s) of the supervisor and/or tutor and the candidate’s record of activities. Students will be permitted to continue with their studies if the outcome of the review is satisfactory. If the outcome is negative, the student will be required to submit a new plan within a period of six months. If the committee is still not satisfied, the candidate will be removed from the programme.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 15: Research plan.
UDC holds student mobility agreements with universities and other third-level institutions across four continents. Students are offered several opportunities each year to apply to study abroad in one of these centres (for a single term or for a whole year), with the guarantee that all credits obtained will be duly recognised in their academic record upon their return.
For each round of applications, the University publishes the list of exchange options available to students and, where relevant, the specific conditions associated with each. Students may also apply to the University for funding for international work experience placements and internships.
Work experience placements are accredited in the student's academic record and the European diploma supplement. Students are free to decide in which host company or academic institution within the EHEA they wish to carry out their placement. To assist them in their search, the University has created an online noticeboard with jobs postings and other news.
Work-study placements in A Coruña are arranged by the International Relations Office (ORI) of the UDC in collaboration with the international relations coordinators in the student’s home university. The general entry criteria, rights and obligations of students, and admission and acceptance procedures for the programme, are regulated by the UDC Mobility Policy.