Social Sciences

Prof. Juan Díez Medrano
Department of Social Sciences. Director of the Program

Prof. Margarita Torre Fernández
Department of Social Sciences

Prof. Sebastián Lavezzolo Pérez
Department of Economics

Structures and political and economic changes

Estructuras y cambios sociales

The faculty of the Ph.D. program in Social Sciences consists of a group of highly motivated researchers from universities and institutions of international prestige with a high impact academic production in their fields. Further details on the Social Sciences Departmentwebsite. 

Structures and political and economic changes

• Political violence and security
• International political economy
• Elections and political behaviour
• Institutions
• Governments and public administrations
• Leadership and governance
• Economic structure and institutional change in the long term
• Inequality
• Economic freedom
• Globalization and regulation in historical perspective

 

Structures and social changes

• Demographic change
• Life cycle, family and education
• Social stratification
• Migration and aging
• Collective action, identities and nationalism
• Networks and organizations
• Culture and religion
• Gender and discrimination

Publications from the doctoral theses defended in the PhD program. 

 

Thesis: Becoming a Migrant in Europe: Accounts of motive, meaning, and identity formation. Maricia Fischer-Souan.

• 2022. Fischer-Souan, M. and García de Polavieja, F. J. 2022. "The boundary within: Are applicants of Southern European descent discriminated against in Northern European job markets?" Socio-Economic Review (Q1)  https://doi.org/10.1093/ser/mwac047           
• 2019. Fischer-Souanm M. "Between ‘Labour Migration’ and ‘New European Mobilities’: Motivations for Migration of Southern and Eastern Europeans in the EU". Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(4), pages 7-17 
• 2019. Fischer-Souan, M., Dimitriadis, I. and G. Fullin. "Great Expectations? Young Southern Europeans Emigrating in Times of Crisis. Mondi Migranti. 3: 127-153.
• 2019. Fischer-Souan, M. "Becoming European? Strangers finding a place in the European Union." Canadian Journal of European and Russian Studies, 13(1). https://ojs.library.carleton.ca/index.php/CJERS/article/view/2550

 

Thesis: The prize for hard work: effort, educational attainment and the transmission of social inequality. Alberto Abad Palacios.

• 2021. Abad, A. "Strive to Succeed? The Role of Persistence in the Process of Educational Attainment." American Behavioral Scientist. SJR (Q1, 0.84) (Cultural Studies) https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764221996758

 

Tesis: Democratic Resilience: Citizens Evaluation of Democratic Performance during the Great Recession. Alejandro Tirado Castro.

• 2022. Lupu, N. "Unequal Policy Responsiveness in Spain." Socio-Economic Review. JCR (Q1, 2.72); SJR (1.315). https://doi.org/10.1093/ser/mwac040
• 2021. Tirado, A. Fishman, R. "How Democracy Works: Divergent Perspectives of Representatives and Citizens." In Xavier Coller and Sanchez-Ferrer (Eds.) Politicians in Hard Times: Spanish and South European MPs Facing Citizens after the Great Recession. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Recent and relevant publications of our faculty are available here.

 

Our Ph.D. programs focus on the acquisition of skills and abilities required to undertake high-quality research work within the strategic framework and lines of research of the university. Students will be expected to work independently under supervision and guidance of top experts in their fields in order to produce novel, groundbreaking research work in the form of a dissertation.

The Ph.D. thesis constitutes the expected outcome of the doctoral training, stating the specifics of the research work and results. The thesis must meet the high-quality standards required by the Ph.D. program and be subject to public defense and assessment by an independent thesis committee.

A favorable assessment of the thesis enables Ph.D. students to request their official Ph.D. degree certificate, issued by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte.

 

• ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR NEW Ph.D. STUDENTS AT UC3M

• Useful Information site for Ph.D. students

• Rules and Regulations

Doctoral training calendar 

Duration of the academic year: October 1st through September 30th

Process	Period
Admission	According to the start semester of the PhD: Second semester of the 24/25 academic year Admission application deadline: September 1st 2024 through January 31st 2025 (23:59 h., CET)  PhD start date: March 30th 2025 First semester of the 25/26 academic year Admission application deadline: February 1st through August 31st 2025 (23:59 h., CET)  PhD start date: November 15th 2025
Enrollment	According to the start semester of the PhD: Enrollment period for new students First semester: July 17th through 31st and September 1st through 30th (23:59 h., CET) of the current academic year Second semester: March 1st through 30th (23:59 h., CET) of the current academic year Enrollment period for continuing students September 1st through 30th (23:59 h., CET) of the current academic year
Annual Assessment	June All PhD candidates are subject to annual evaluation. December Only students whose June evaluation was unfavorable are subject to evaluation.  In both cases the evaluation is based on the progress of the thesis project (Reseach Plan) and the doctoral activities carried out during the academic year.
Thesis Defense	Thesis defense can be carried out throughout the academic year.

 

Activate your uc3m e-mail and access your Ph.D. student webspace

Academic procedures

 

• Admission. Information and Requirements

• Application for admission

 

 

• Enrollment: Frequently Asked Questions
   
• Enroll now

 

 

 

 

Further information

 

• Doctoral Training Scholarships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Ph.D. monitoring and annual assessment

 

• International mobility and 'Doctorado Internacional' distinction

 

 

• Doctoral thesis defense

What is a Ph.D.?

A Ph.D. is a period of training in skills and abilities required to undertake independent, high-quality research work in the realm of R&D under the supervision of top experts in their respective fields.

What are the terms of access to a Ph.D. program?

As a general rule, candidates are required to hold a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. Credits for both must amount to at least 300 ECTS credits.

Additionally, specific requirements and candidate profiles are described in each program’s terms of access. Before applying for admission, it is strongly recommended to take the  Ph.D. Programs into consideration, as well as its lines of research, profiles of the scholars involved and final results (theses and scientific publications) as proof of the program’s quality and specialization.

Shat is the duration of a Ph.D.?

The regular duration of a full-time Ph.D. program is 4 years. This period can be extended up to 5 years.

The regular duration of a part-time Ph.D. program is 7 years. This period can be extended up to 8 years. 

You may apply, for justified reasons, for either an extension or a leave of absence from your Ph.D. training period to the Academic Committee of your program. Your request must be endorsed by your tutor/advisor. Further information:  Duration of Ph.D. studies

Can I do my Ph.D. entirely online?

No. All Ph.D. Programs require some face-to-face activity throughout the training period. The duration of face-to-face activity is established by each Program.

How can I apply for a part-time enrollment status?

You can state your part-time enrollment status upon admission or, once you have initiated your training period, by submitting a request for justified reasons to the Academic Committee of your program. Your request must be endorsed by your tutor/advisor. Further information:  Enrollment status for Ph.D. studies

If you are the recipient of a pre-doctoral contract with the UC3M, you must be a full-time student for the entire duration of the contract in application of article 21 of Law 14/2011, of  the1st of June, on Science, Technology and Innovation.

Must I take any other training in addition to my research work?

Yes. There are three different types of additional training to be taken during your Ph.D.:

• Complementary training. Applicable only to students whose terms of admission state this training as required.
• Specific training. Activities within the framework of your Ph.D. program.
• Research Skills training. Courses or activities focused on abilities common to all disciplines (communication, academic writing, stress management, etc.).

Further information on Doctoral Training: Monitoring and Development of these FAQ.

A favorable assessment enables students to apply for their official Ph.D. degree certificate issued by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. An additional Doctorado Internacional distinction is awarded to students who met a number of specific requirements during their training period.


What is an Interuniversity Ph.D.?

Interuniversity PhDs are joint degree programs by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in collaboration with other Spanish or international institutions. The outcome of these programs does not translate into multiple degrees but just one equivalent to the training undertaken by the student.

How can I apply for admission to a Ph.D. program?

Your application for admission must be submitted online. Signing in is previously required in order to get your login and password. Further information on how to carry out this process:  Apply for admission

I have not completed my Master’s degree yet. May I apply for admission now?

According to art. 6 of the PhD studies regulation (RD 99/2011), in order to access the PhD studies it is required to have a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a Master's degree (or equivalent), provided that at least 300 ECTS credits have been passed in these two cycles as a whole, or the equivalent degree qualifies for level 3 of MECES (Marco Español de Cualificaciones para la Educación Superior, Spanish Framework for Higher Education Qualifications).

Likewise, access is available to candidates in possession of foreign degrees from countries integrated into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) when the degree can be accredited as level 7 in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), as long as the aforementioned degree allows access to PhD level studies in the country of expedition; and candidates with a degree which is equivalent to a Spanish Master's degree, obtained in foreign education systems outside the EHEA, as long as the aforementioned degree allows access to PhD level studies in the country of expedition.

When can I apply for admission?

Applications for admission for the first semester of the 24/25 academic year with start date on the 15th of November 2024 can be submitted from February 1st through August 31st 2024 (Spanish peninsular time, CET)*

Applications for admission for the second semester of the 24/25 academic year with start date on the 30th of March 2025 can be submitted from September 1st 2024 through January 31st 2025 (Spanish peninsular time, CET)*.

*Except where noted in the details of each Ph.D. Program.

The PhD academic year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th. 

What documents do I need to submit?

Scan in advance, in pdf format, the documentation requirements to be attached to your application. The documents listed below are mandatory in all cases:

• National Identity Document: DNI, NIE, or passport
• Previous degree certificate or diploma (Master’s degree or equivalent), or proof of payment of issuance fees. 
• Academic transcript of previous degree (Bachelor's and Master’s degree or equivalent), including grades
• Curriculum Vitae
• Authorization of disclosure of educational and employment information
• Ph.D. research proposal
• Endorsement for thesis project

Some programs may require additional documents, such as reference letters by notable researchers, foreign language skills certificate, etc.

• Further information: Admission. Information and Requirements

Can I choose when to start my doctoral training?

Yes. As a new student, you must state in your application for admission whether you want to start your training in the first semester (November 15) or second semester (March 30).

I want to apply for a scholarship or financial aid program. Must I do it before or after applying for admission to a Ph.D.?

It is strongly recommended to apply first for your Ph.D. program of choice at uc3m, as most of the granting institutions require proof of admission (or application for admission) to a Ph.D.

Further information on Scholarships and Financial Aid Programs of these FAQ.

I submitted my application. When will I know if I am admitted?

The review process of your application consists of two stages:

• Administrative validation. Your application will be reviewed at the Doctoral School Office on campus to ensure that it meets the admission requirements. You will be contacted if necessary.
• Academic evaluation. If your application has succesfully passed the previous stage, it will be forwarded to the Academic Committee of the Ph.D. program for review. You will be notified of the Committee's decision by certified mail sent to the postal address provided in your application.

This process may take up to one-two months. You will be notified of the Committee’s resolution by e-mail.

I have been admitted. When must I submit my enrollment form?

In you are admitted to a Ph.D. program, you have to submit your online application for enrollment in the periods set by the university to that effect, according to the instructions indicated in your letter of admission, our website or the Enrollment section of this FAQ, including the payment of tuition fees. If you do not submit your enrollment for the academic year for which you were admitted, your admission will be cancelled.

What is complementary training and when should it be taken?

Complementary training is required by the Academic Committee in the admission letter, depending on the applicant's access profile.
They consist of subjects from a uc3m research master's degree, which are considered necessary to successfully complete the doctoral research.
These training complements must be taken and passed mandatorily during the first year of doctoral training.
In other words, if you start your studies in November of an academic year, the training complements must be taken in the first semester (the subjects begin in September), or in the second semester of the same academic year (the subjects begin in February).
If, on the other hand, you start your studies in March, then the complements must be taken in the same academic semester (the subjects start in February) or in the first semester of the following academic year (the subjects start in September).

These circumstances should be taken into account when planning the start of your studies at uc3m, and for the processing of visas and organisation of your stay in the country.

What types of financial aid programs can I apply for?

There is a wide variety of financial aid programs for doctoral training that cover partial or total tuition fees and, in some cases, allow uc3m to formally hire the Ph.D. student as a training researcher.

Who are the awarding bodies?

Here is a list of the most common scholarship and financial aid programs:

   - Formación de Investigadores del Ministerio de Innovación / Researchers Training by Ministerio de Innovación (formerly known as FPI scholarships)
   - Formación de Profesorado Universitario del Ministerio de Educación / University Faculty Training by Ministerio de Educación (formerly known as FPU scholarships)
   - Researchers Training by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, awarded by the institution departments
   - Ph.D. Scholarships by La Caixa
   - Ph.D. Scholarships by Comunidades Autónomas (Autonomous Regions of Spain)
   - Scholarships by Fundación Carolina (for Latin American students)
   

Further information:  Doctoral Training Scholarships

When and how can I apply for these?

Each granting body has its own application and awarding periods. It is strongly recommended to apply first for your Ph.D. program of choice at uc3m in all cases, as most of these institutions require proof of admission (or application for admission) to a Ph.D.

 

Do I have to be admitted to a Ph.D. in order to apply for admission?

It is not required in most cases, but, as pointed out previously, you must have at least submitted your application for admission in order to be eligible (check the awarding institution’s specific terms). Only if you are eventually granted the scholarship or financial aid will it be required to be admitted and enrolled on the program in order to accept the aid and be hired as a training researcher at uc3m.

 

I received a scholarship or financial aid. Do I have to notify uc3m?

Yes. As a recipient of any financial aids, it is recommended to notify the university for these to be applied upon enrollment. If your scholarship status is not registered in your self-enrollment application, please contact the Doctoral School Office, either in person or by e-mail at admisiondoctorado@uc3m.es

 

Where will I undertake my Ph.D. research work?

Your research and teaching activities (when applicable) will be carried out at the department or Institute stated in your contract within the framework of your Ph.D. program under the supervision of the tutor and advisor(s) appointed by the Academic Committee.

Who is in charge of managing my scholarship or financial aid program?

Granting institutions usually delegate on uc3m the management of these aids according to the terms originally established by those and our own rules and regulations.

 

Who is to evaluate the progress and outcomes of my research work?

All our Ph.D. students must submit the progress of their research work for evaluation by the Academic Committee of their Ph.D. program. Recipients of any financial aid program must also provide this information to the granting body.

 

Are there any other tuition fees exemptions?

Yes. As a new student, if you are eligible for any of the following exemptions or discounts recognized by the Spanish administration, you must submit certified copies of the pertinent documents to the Postgraduate Office on campus before enrollment proceedings so that these exemptions apply upon enrollment.

• Large Family status: Certified copy of the Large Family status card (general or special)
• Disability: Certified copy of Disability Identification card (minimum 33% disability)
• Other: Certified copy of proof of exemption for victims of terrorist attacks (including their spouses and children) or children of civil and military servants who perished in the line of duty.

These documents must be valid for the academic year for which the exemption is requested.

How to enroll

Our Ph.D. Management platform allows to process your enrollment online. To access the platform, enter your UC3M username and password.

When to enroll               

New students can choose the start date of the Ph.D. studies. Enrollment period varies accordingly:

Students starting first semester:

• Enrollment period: you may check the enrollment period on our website.
• Start date of Ph.D. training: November 15 

Students starting second semester*:

• Enrollment period: March 1st through 30th (23:59 h., Peninsular Spanish time)
• Start date of Ph.D. training: March 30

*In these cases, students benefit from a reduced tuition fee, applicable only for first-year enrollment.

Your start date will determine the length of your Ph.D. training period.

As a continuing student, the enrollment period is September 1st through 30th (23:59 h., Peninsular Spanish time) of each academic year.

What modules should I register on my application?

You must select the following modules of your enrollment application:

• Ph.D. Monitoring for your doctoral training year. 

Required in all cases. It will be registered by default in your application. 

• Complementary credits.

Only applicable if the Academic Committee of your program established these credits as obligatory in its admission resolution, in which case you have been properly notified in your admission letter. These credits will be registered by default in your application.

Other activities of your doctoral training may not require enrollment. If so, our Doctoral School Office is in charge of the registration process:

• Specific training: Activities included in the curriculum of your Ph.D. program. 

• Research Skills training: Only required for students of some Ph.D. programs.  

What are the costs of tuition fees?

These are the tuition fees for all your Ph.D. training:

1. Academic fees

Academic monitoring of Ph.D. training year.  

• Ordinary fee (full-time, starting first semester): 390 €.
• Reduced fee* (full-time, starting second semester): 234 €.
• Reduced fee (part-time, starting first or second semester): 234 €.

            *Full fees will apply in subsequent years.

Training credits

• Complementary training (only for students who are required to take these credits as established in their resolution of admission). If the subjects are the same as subjects from an official degree, the price will be the same as in the original degree. The prices range from € 45,02 to € 80-150 €, depending on the master's program and the doctoral year of enrollment (first, second or subsequent).
• Research Skills training courses. 45,02 € per credit. Credits from other institutions also require an enrollment at UC3M . A reduced 25% fee will apply in these cases (11,25 € per credit).

Thesis defense. 143,15 €

Ph.D. Degree Certificate. 229,86 €

2. Administrative fees

• Registrar’s Office expenses. 6,11 €
• Academic record proceedings (first-year students only). 27,54 €

3. School insurance. 1, 12 €. Applicable to Spanish or international students (legal residents) under 28 years of age.

Students who fail to fulfill the payment of these fees will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program.

Further information:  Tuition fees

How do I validate my first-year enrollment?

Upon completion and payment of your enrollment, the Doctoral School will get in touch with you and set an appointment to provide the original documents to have your enrollment validated in compliance with the access requirements to Ph.D.

Documents

According to your previous studies, the documents to be submitted are listed below: 

1. If you have taken an official Master's degree at UC3M, you are not required to submit any documents. The Doctoral School will check your records accordingly.

2. If your access degree for Ph.D. was issued by a University from Spain or a European Union country, or a state of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, it is required to provide the following original documents: 

• Access degree certificate for Ph.D. (Master's degree or equivalent) or payment receipt of issuance fees.
• Grades certificate of access degree to Ph.D. (Master's degree or equivalent).

3. If your access degree for Ph.D. was issued by a University from a country other than the ones indicated above, it is required to provide the following legalized documents:

• Access degree certificate for Ph.D. (Master's degree or equivalent) or payment receipt of issuance fees.
• Grades certificate of access degree to Ph.D. (Master's degree or equivalent).

There are different ways to have your documents legalized. Find which legalization procedure applies in your case:  Legalization of Foreign Degrees

Please note that the legalization procedure must be carried out from the home country. It is strongly recommended to do it in advance. 

Original hard copies of the documents must be provided along with their photocopies. The Doctoral School will check both originals and their copies and have them certified. If the degree certificates and documents have an electronic signature or digital certification (with safe verification codes), these will be submitted by e-mail at admisiondoctorado@uc3m.es.

All documents must be submitted in Spanish, English, French, Italian or Portuguese (certificates and degrees provided in other languages must have attached an official Spanish translation).  

The submission period will be notified by e-mail within a month after the end of the enrollment period.

What are my rights and obligations as a uc3m student?

Please refer to the following documentation issued by the regional authorities and uc3m. All of them apply to Ph.D. candidates at Uc3m.

• Students Statute of the Region of Madrid (Estatuto del estudiante de la Comunidad de Madrid)
• uc3m students Rights and Obligations (Carta de los derechos y deberes del estudiante en la uc3m)
• Rules and Regulations of the Doctoral School at uc3m (Reglamento de la Escuela de Doctorado de la uc3m)
• Good Practices of the Doctoral School at uc3m (Código de buenas prácticas de la Escuela de Doctorado de la uc3m)

Additionally, you have access to the university's support services to students and researchers.

Further information:  Rules and Regulations

How are my Ph.D. supervisors appointed?

Ph.D. tutors and advisors are advanced members of the uc3m faculty or other research institutions who serve as mentors of your research work and keep track of your progress. They also facilitate your communication with the Academic Committee of the program.

Tutors are appointed by the Committee upon your admission. Tutors must hold a Ph.D. degree and have ties with the program, as well as a proven track record in research of at least six years (or proof of equivalent qualifications).

The Committee will also appoint an advisor within three months from initial enrollment on the program. Thesis advisors must hold a Ph.D. degree and have a proven track record in research of at least six years (or equivalent qualifications), as well as specific research experience in the field of your thesis. Advisors' may be based at any university, center or institute in Spain or abroad. A professor may be appointed as both tutor and advisor of a Ph.D. student.

The Academic Committee may change these designations throughout your doctoral training period for justified reasons.

Must I take any other training in addition to my research work?

Yes. There are three different types of additional training to be taken during your Ph.D.:

• Complementary training. Maximum: 40 ECTS credits. Applicable only to students whose terms of admission state this training as required. The Academic Committee will determine the credit-based courses or subjects in the admission resolution. As a general rule, this training must be taken during the first year.

• Specific training. Students are also expected to participate in a number of activities relevant to their field of research: seminars, meetings, conferences, courses, etc. These activities may require prior enrollment at uc3m. Your tutor or advisor will confirm the contents of your specific training program.

• Research Skills training. Some Ph.D. programs at uc3m require training in research skills focused on abilities common to all disciplines (communication, academic writing, stress management, etc.). These credits can be earned at either uc3m or other institutions and require formal enrollment at uc3m in all cases, as well as the approval of your tutor or advisor.

How is the progress of my research evaluated?

The Academic Committee of your program will evaluate the progress of your research project and activity report on an annual basis in the month of June. Grounds for evaluation are to be registered in the following documents:

• Research Plan. Not to be mistaken for the research proposal submitted when applying for admission. As a new Ph.D. student, you must elaborate an initial Research Plan within the first year of your doctoral training period. This plan will serve as a tracking tool of your project, listing the objectives and methodology of your research as well as a comprehensible timeline stating the periods estimated for the achievement of each goal. It must have attached your tutor or advisor's evaluation report in order to be submitted for assessment to the Academic Committee of your program.

An annual update of this Plan must be submitted in subsequent years, with the corresponding tutor or advisor’s evaluation report, so that all parties involved in your doctoral training can track and assess your progress.

• Activity Report. In addition to your Research Plan (initial or updated), it is also required to register any activity relevant to your Ph.D. research: courses, seminars, meetings, conventions, publications, international fellowship programs, etc. Be sure to have attached all certificates and/or work papers as proof of completion.

In the event of an unfavorable assessment by the Academic Committee, you will be subjected to evaluation again in December.

TWO CONSECUTIVE UNFAVORABLE ASSESSMENTS (JUNE AND DECEMBER) WILL RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF YOUR ENROLLMENT AS A Ph.D. STUDENT

Can I join an international research visit program?

Yes. Undertaking a period of research abroad is a requirement for Doctorado Internacional distinction eligibility. Among other requirements, your visit must have a minimum duration of three months; also, the report of activities and outcomes of your research at the host institution must be written and presented in one of the languages used for scientific dissemination in your field of research (different from any of Spain’s official languages). Prior approval by your tutor/advisor and the Academic Committee of your program is required. The Committee will evaluate your visiting research reports and, if approved, submit your candidacy for the Doctorado Internacional distinction to the Doctoral School Board.

What is a Ph.D. thesis?

The Ph.D. thesis is the intended outcome of the doctoral training period. Your thesis must give account of your scientific work and meet the quality standards established by the Academic Committee of the program.

What is the Ph.D thesis defense?

It involves presenting the doctoral research work (objectives, achievements, method, results...)

in a public academic event before an expert Court that will evaluate the work and the exhibition.

Prior to the development of the academic act, it is necessary to comply with a series of steps:

Approval of the thesis by the thesis directors, Review of the thesis by external experts, Approval of the thesis by the CAPD, Pass the plagiarism analysis, Deposit the thesis with the academic community, Obtain the approval of the thesis defense and the evaluation panel.

When can I start the thesis defense process?

As a general rule, you must have been enrolled on your Ph.D. program for at least 24 months before initiating the thesis defense proceedings.

You must bear in mind that the deposit of the thesis must begin before your maximum period of permanence in the Doctoral Program expires (please check your deadline and start the process at least two and a half months in advance).

What is the deadline for depositing the thesis?

It depends on the date you started your studies and your dedication to the doctoral project: there is a maximum period of 5 years - including an extension of one final year - if your dedication is "full time"; There is a maximum period of 8 years - including an extension of one final year - if your dedication is “part-time” (in mixed cases, the maximum period will depend on the dates). Please check your deadline well in advance - in your electronic file - to properly schedule the final stages.

I have approval to proceed to the thesis defense. What are the stages of this process?

Once you comply with the requirements to initiate the process, a minimum of 15 weeks (University holidays period not included) is normally necessary to carry out the entire process:

1. Defense request to the Academic Committee of the PhD Program, along with the thesis document and a proposal of two external experts to issue their reports. (starting point)

2. Reports received by the external experts (4-8 weeks approx.)

3. Plagiarism control procedure (2 weeks approx.)

4. Thesis deposit. (2 weeks)

5. Approval of thesis defense and appointment of Thesis Committee by the Dean of Doctoral School. (1 week approx)

6. Organization of the defense session (2 weeks approx).

7. Thesis defense session

How do I start the process to defend the thesis?

You must have the final document “doctoral thesis” with the approval of your thesis director/s and make a request to the Doctoral Program (by electronic means, through SIGMA, or through the Doctoral School Management Office).

You must have the final thesis document, check that all the information related to your doctoral file is correct (tutor, director, title of the thesis, etc.), review and finalize the Doctoral Activity Report that resides on the SIGMA electronic platform, prepare your CV and the required technical and non-technical summaries and, with the help of your director(s), prepare a proposal for external reviewers that is accepted by the Academic Committee of the PhD Program.

You may find all the information regarding the Thesis defense process in the following website.

What does “prior review by external experts” consist of?

The doctoral thesis must be informed by external reviewers-evaluators, at the beginning of the process. Therefore, you must prepare, with the help of your thesis director(s), a proposal for reviewers, which the Academic Committee will approve or modify, and finally request the reports, so that they are prepared within the maximum period of a month.

Should I prepare a new doctoral thesis document, once I have received the recommendations from external experts?

Once the reports are requested and received, the Academic Committee of the PhD Program may suggest changes or additions to the thesis, based on said opinions. You will have one month to prepare the final thesis document and respond to the Academic Committee with an improvement report.

What is the plagiarism analysis procedure?

To ensure compliance with the principles established in the Code of Good Practice for Managing Plagiarism of Ph.D. Theses of the Doctoral School, all theses must be subjected to a plagiarism control procedure prior to the authorization of the defense.

Once the Academic Committee of your Ph.D. program determines that your research period is finished and your thesis is ready for deposit, a pdf file of the thesis will be submitted to the Doctoral School.

The plagiarism analysis will produce a Coincidence Report and a Reasoned Report of said coincidences, which the Academic Committee will review and approve first, sending the result to the Director of the Doctoral School, so that the plagiarism analysis may be considered satisfactory.

The final document of the thesis that will go through the defense process (deposit, sending to the Evaluation Court and custody in the institutional archive of uc3m) will be the document that has satisfactorily passed the plagiarism control.

The results of this study will be at the disposal of the members of the Thesis Committee, should they be requested.

What is the thesis deposit?

The deposit of your thesis enables UC3M professors and scholars of your field to review your work before the defense. The deposit period is 15 days (excluding August), after which all comments and observations by the experts will be reported to the Academic Committee and yourself. 

Who approves the defense?

Once your thesis has successfully passed both stages, the Academic Committee of the program will elaborate their proposal for thesis defense, providing details of the proposed members of the Thesis Committee on the Authorization of thesis defense and appointment of Thesis Committee. Eligibility for “Doctorado Internacional”, “Doctorado Industrial” or International Cotutelle must be indicated, where applicable.

This proposal will be submitted for the Dean of the Doctoral School's approval of the thesis defense and the appointment of Thesis Committee members.

Who can be a member of the Thesis Committee?

The Thesis Committee consists of three members (President, Secretary, and a spokesperson) and a substitute. All of them must hold a Ph.D. degree and a proven track record in research. In all cases, the Committee will be formed by a majority of members external to the University and to the institutions collaborating with the School or the Ph.D. Program.

How is the thesis defense organized?

Once all authorizations and the appointment of the Evaluation Committee have been obtained, the defense date will be agreed. The Doctoral School office will be in charge of organizing the event, developing the necessary logistical activity (reservation of rooms, media, etc.), as well as managing travel and stays of the members of the tribunal. The Doctoral School will announce the date and place of the academic event to the entire community.

15 business days in advance of the defense act, the Doctoral School will also send each of the Committee members a copy of the thesis in digital format.

Do I have to pay any fees before the defense?

Yes. The payment of thesis defense fees must be fulfilled before proceeding to defense. Additionally, payment of enrollment fees for the academic year in which the defense takes place must be up to date.

How will the defense and evaluation of the thesis be carried out?

The defense act is a public academic act. Once the doctoral student has presented and defended his or her thesis, the committee may provide comments or ask questions to the doctoral student. Subsequently, in a private session, the court will deliberate, which will render a report and an evaluation decision. The grade obtained (Failed, Passed, Notable or Excellent) will be reflected in the defense report.

Additionally, and only in those cases in which the qualification has been Excellent, the members of the tribunal will proceed to record, by means of a separate and secret vote, their proposal for granting the cum laude mention and, when appropriate, their opinion on the merit of the thesis candidacy for the Outstanding Thesis Awards of the Carlos III University of Madrid.

How can I apply for my Ph.D. certificate?

Your application for the official Ph.D. degree certificate and the payment of the corresponding fees is done online.

Issuance of your certificate may take a few months. Until then, you may apply for a temporary certificate as proof of successful completion of your Ph.D. studies as of the date of your thesis defense.

Where is my Ph.D. thesis published?

Your thesis will be published in e-archivo, the open online repository of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and Teseo the Ph.D. database managed by the Ministry of Universities. In the event of partial or temporary restrictions pertaining to the publication of your thesis, you must report them to the university.

Ph.D. Program. Array of training and activities oriented to the acquisition of abilities required to undertake autonomous research work in the realm of R&D. Each Ph.D. program establishes their own procedures and lines of research for the development of theses within the framework of their respective fields.

Academic Committee. The coordinator/director of the program and two other Ph.D. members constitute a program's Academic Committee, the body in charge of the various training areas and research progress of the program, as well as the authorization of thesis defense of their Ph.D. candidates.

Doctoral School. Academic body in charge of the management and coordination of all Ph.D. programs.

Ph.D. Thesis. Original piece of research carried out by Ph.D. candidates in their field of knowledge. Presented as a written dissertation according to the quality, content and format guidelines set by the Ph.D. program for its public defense.

Tutor. Supervisor in charge of tracking the training progress of the Ph.D. candidate and serving as a communication link between the researcher and the Academic Committee. Tutors must be attached to uc3m faculty with a proven research track record. Tutors are appointed upon approval of admission by the Academic Committee.

Thesis advisor. Supervisor in charge of tracking the training progress of the Ph.D. candidate. Advisors are experts in the field of the Ph.D. candidate's research, not necessarily attached to uc3m faculty (if they are, they can also be appointed as tutors). Advisors are appointed within the first three months of the student's Ph.D. training period. A student may have more than one advisor.

Specific training. Specific activities pertaining to the field of research of each Ph.D., designed to provide students with the knowleddge and opportunity for debate required for the development of their research work: seminars, meetings, conferences/dissertations, international research visits, etc.

Research Skills training. Training activities oriented to the acquisition of skills common to all disciplines. All students are required to earn at least 6 credits (60 hours) throughout their doctoral training period. Enrollment on these courses is performed separately from their regular doctoral training.

Complementary training. Maximum 40 ECTS credits. Training that the Academic Committee may deem necessary in their admission resoluction in order to complement the Ph.D. candidate's previous academic background. Enrollment on these credits will be required in addition to the student's regular doctoral training. These credits are usually earned during the first Ph.D. year. 

Research plan. Document to be drafted within the first six months of Ph.D. training detailing the student’s research project to be subjected to annual evaluation every month of June. It must be approved by the tutor, the thesis advisor and the Academic Committee. This plan must be updated and submitted for review and evaluation purposes on a yearly basis.

Ph.D. Activity report. A registration account of all training activities pertaining to the Ph.D. student's research. The tutor and thesis advisor must endorse these activities for them to be submitted to the Academic Committee for annual evaluation in June. 

Student record. Academic details of every Ph.D. student as registered in uc3m databases, including activities and credits completed. This information is to be attached to the thesis in the final stages of defense approval.

Academic transcript. Official document signed by the Head of Doctoral Studies certifying a student's academic record.

Monitoring and assessment. Annual process by which the research progress and activities of a Ph.D. candidate are subjected to evaluation by the Academic Committee.

Written Agreement. Document signed by all parties involved in a thesis research project (Ph.D. student, tutor, advisor/s, and Academic Committee) stating their roles and specific conditions pertaining to confidentiality agreements, copyright or use and distribution of research outcomes, where applicable, as well as conflict resolution procedures.

Thesis public review. Procedure required to allow the academic community to review the student's thesis and issue comments and observations prior to the defense. The thesis is usually deposited at the university's intranet.

Thesis defense. Academic event open to the public in which Ph.D. candidates defend their research work before a committee of experts in their field. The defense is followed by a question and answer session led by the defense committee in order for it to give their assessment.

Defense committee. Committee consisting of three experts with proven track records of research in the field of the thesis, most of which must be based outside uc3m. The committee gives their assessment of the thesis and awards the cum laude distinction and the Outstanding Thesis Award candidacy, where applicable.

• NEW! RD 99/2011. Rules and Regulations of doctoral studies in Spain.
  Approved on July 4, 2023
• Royal Decree 99/2011. Rules and Regulations of Ph.D. studies in Spain.
• Establishment of the Doctoral School. Order 2091/2013.
• Rules and Regulations of the Doctoral School at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid  approved by Governing Council on February 7, 2013; modified on November 28, 2013.
• Code of Good Practice of the Doctoral School
• Code of Good Practice for Managing Plagiarism of Ph.D. Theses
• Code of Good Practice for Managing Plagiarism of Ph.D. ThesesGuide for personal data treatment on the doctoral thesis process. Further information: Data protection
• Outstanding Thesis Awards Regulations
• Royal Decree 967/2014. Declaration of Ph.D. academic equivalency for foreign higher-education studies.
• Application procedure for Ph.D. academic equivalency  for foreign higher-education studies, approved by Governing Council on January 28, 2016.