Doctoral studies aim to provide students with advanced training in research techniques. This also involves the preparation and presentation of a doctoral thesis, which needs to be an original work of research. Pompeu Fabra University runs a series of doctoral programmes whose specific objectives are: to train researchers and form research teams to successfully address the challenges of new sciences, techniques and methodologies; to promote the training of the teaching faculty, and to perfect the professional, scientific, technical and artistic development of postgraduates.
During the doctorate, students are required to draft an original research paper within the framework of one of the lines of research of the department or university institution responsible for the programme, in accordance with the compulsory subject of the doctorate Thesis Project Defence (5 credits). Some doctoral programmes provide other training activities, such as seminars, lectures and other academic activities, with an additional credit load to the 5 compulsory credits of the Thesis Project Defence subject. Once they have passed the Thesis Project Defence subject, doctoral students are required to register their thesis project in the University Register.
The maximum duration of the doctoral training period is normally one year. During this year, students are required to pass the compulsory subject Thesis Project Defence and, if applicable, any other credits from corresponding courses and seminars. Nevertheless, if students do not pass 50% of the programme credits, they can take a second assessment sitting in the year following commencement of the doctorate. Once the thesis project has been registered, doctoral students are given three years to present their thesis (final deposit of the thesis). (However, in case of part-time dedication, the period for depositing the thesis may be extended to six years).
At the beginning of the doctorate, after having enrolled and passed the subject Thesis Project Defence, the organisers of the doctorate will assign the student with a doctoral thesis supervisor according to the line of research of the project. The doctoral thesis supervisor will be definitively assigned to the project upon the registration thereof in the University Register. During the thesis preparation period, and if so required by the course of research, the doctoral student may change the supervisor, ask for the thesis to be co-supervised or even request a supervisor from outside the University, provided that the change is reasoned and duly authorised by the University.
