Admissions to the PhD Programme are open to applicants holding a valid second-cycle university degree (Italian Laurea Magistrale, Laurea Specialistica, or an equivalent foreign academic qualification). Candidates who have not yet completed their degree may also apply, provided that they obtain the qualification no later than the official start of the academic year (31 October).

The official call for applications (Bando) is usually published in late spring and is available on the University doctoral programmes website: https://www.unisi.it/ricerca/dottorati-di-ricerca

The information below provides a general overview of the admission procedure; detailed requirements and deadlines are specified each year in the official call.

Applications and Selection Procedure

Applications must be submitted within the deadlines specified in the official call through the dedicated online platform. They should include:

  • a complete Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum describing the applicant’s academic background and qualifications, with a transcript of examinations and corresponding grades, as well as the final degree mark or expected date of graduation (candidates holding a foreign qualification must also provide a translation of the relevant documents into Italian or English, together with the Diploma Supplement, if available);
  • a research proposal (maximum 8 pages) outlining the topic they intend to develop during the PhD programme;
  • an abstract of their Master’s thesis or equivalent qualification thesis;
  • up to two reference letters written by university professors and/or researchers or professionals.

Knowledge of English at a minimum B2 level is required.

The selection procedure is based on:

  • evaluation of academic qualifications and curriculum vitae;
  • assessment of the research proposal;
  • an oral examination/interview.

Scholarships

As a general rule, admission to the PhD Programme includes the award of a PhD scholarship. The annual amount of the scholarship is €16,243 gross per year, subject to Italian social security contributions. Scholarships are granted for the full duration of the programme and are paid in monthly instalments. PhD scholarships cannot be combined with other scholarships, except for grants specifically intended to support periods of study or research abroad.

Some scholarships (Pegaso scholarships) are funded by the Regione Toscana and may be assigned through a separate call for applications. Since additional calls may occasionally be published during the same admission cycle, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult both the main PhD admission notice and any subsequent announcements carefully.

Applicants considered for Pegaso scholarships must satisfy additional requirements established by the Regione Toscana. In particular, they must be under 35 years of age at the time of application. Some of these scholarships may also be linked to specific research topics and may require recipients to carry out research or training activities in non-academic institutions or enterprises.

Some PhD positions may be reserved for holders of foreign government scholarships. In such cases, candidates must provide documentation demonstrating financial support from a foreign institution for the entire duration of the PhD programme.

In exceptional circumstances, candidates who are able to provide independent financial support may be admitted without a scholarship.

Applicants Holding Foreign Qualifications

Applicants holding foreign qualifications who are admitted to the programme will be required, at the enrolment stage, to present the original degree certificate together with official proof of the authenticity of the qualification, such as a Declaration of Value (DOV), a CIMEA statement, or a Diploma Supplement, in accordance with the provisions of the official selection notice.

Fees

All doctoral candidates are required to pay annual administrative fees.

PhD candidates awarded a scholarship must pay an annual university fee of €340, in addition to the Regional Tax for the Right to Higher Education (Tassa Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario) amounting to €140 per year, and a €16 revenue stamp duty (imposta di bollo).

PhD candidates without a scholarship are required to pay only the Regional Tax for the Right to Higher Education (€140 per year) and the €16 revenue stamp duty.

Students with a certified disability equal to or greater than 66% are exempt from the payment of both university fees and the regional tax.