Social Sciences
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- Social Sciences
- Social Sciences
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Director
Prof. Juan Díez Medrano
About the program
The main objective of the Ph.D. program in Social Sciences is to train competitive researchers and professionals for a career in international universities and prestigious institutions. The program is designed to provide our Ph.D. students with analytical and cognitive tools so that they can carry out cutting-edge research on social, political, and economic problems.
During their training, the Ph.D. Students are integrated in an international academic and intellectual community that is both stimulating and demanding. The Ph.D. Program is intense and challenging. It offers a multitude of academic activities, such as, international seminars, workshops, and special courses. In implementing these activities, the program relies on the participation of international scholars from prestigious universities across the world.
The Social Sciences Ph.D. program is promoted by the Social Sciences Department and the Carlos III-Juan March Institute of Social Sciences (IC3JM), and it embraces three main specialties:
- Political Science
- Economic History
- Sociology
The program is also open to students that likes to pursue research in related areas like, for example, demography, international relations, public management, geography, history, anthropology.
The main access route to the program is the Master in Social Sciences organized by the Carlos III-Juan March Institute of Social Sciences (IC3JM) at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
The program is:
- Adapted to RD 99/2011, of January 28
- Verified by the MADRI+D Foundation and implemented for the 2017/2018 academic year
Departaments and Institutes
Collaborating departments:
- ACCESS
Student profile
The applicants must have thorough knowledge and understanding of advanced research methods and techniques in the social sciences. They should have the capacity to synthesize knowledge, analyse problems critically, present new lines of research, formulate a research design, and formulate hypotheses and test them empirically. Finally, advanced knowledge of English is essential. Academic activities are developed exclusively in English, and it is recommended that the candidates write their theses in English.
The main access route is the Master in Social Sciences organized by the Carlos III-Juan March Institute of Social Sciences (IC3JM) at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. The PhD program in Social Sciences also welcome highly motivated students with a Master degree issued by a prestigious institution in an area of the Social Sciences.
Access requirements
According to art. 6 of the PhD studies regulation (RD 99/2011), in order to access the Program 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.
As a general rule, the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree must belong to the area of Social Sciences (Sociology, Political Sciences, Administration Science, Economics, Demography or Economic History). Alternatively, they should have the equivalent Master’s degree in a country within the European Higher Education Area. Students who have a foreign degree equivalent to the Master's Degree in Social Sciences, from a notable institution, and that gives access to Ph.D. programs in the issuing country, can also access the program. In addition, all students must have the equivalent of 18 ETCS in advanced methods for social science research.
In exceptional cases, candidates with postgraduate training other than those mentioned above may also seek admission. The program considers two categories. 1) candidates with postgraduate training (minimum 60 ETCS) in Social Anthropology, Public International Law and International Relations, Ecology, Applied Economics, Economics, Sociology and Agricultural Policy, Human Geography, Contemporary History, American History, Modern History, Social Psychology, and History of Law and Institutions. 2) candidates with postgraduate training at the level of Master’s in other branches that have passed at least 12 ETCS (at the graduate level) in subjects in the areas of this Ph.D. program.
In the first case, the program’s Academic Commission may require the candidate to take a maximum of 18 ETCS advanced subjects linked to the line of research that the candidate intend to pursue. In the second case, the Commission may establish a minimum of 24 ETCS and a maximum of 30 ECTS of complementary training activities.
Admission criteria
Interested candidates may apply on-line. Applicants should submit their academic credentials and titles (both Bachelor's and Master's degrees), CV, a research proposal and a statement of interest in the PhD. Program (using this template). Applicants must also include a sample of their written work (e.g., Master’s thesis, research papers, etc.).
The candidate is welcome to submit one or more letters of recommendation from researchers and scholars at any university to back up their application. These letters of recommendation will be directly submitted by the external experts to the Ph.D. program to admisiondoctorado@uc3m.es (indicating Ph.D. candidate's full name-Ph.D. in Social Sciences-uc3m).
The program director announces the admission to the program in accordance with the criteria and requirements established by the Academic Committee. Admission will only be offered to applicants who have been evaluated very favourably with respect to their ability to achieve the program’s objectives. The admission criteria used to assess this capability are:
- Advanced knowledge of English (level B2). In the case that an applicant does not have an official language qualification the admissions committee may conduct an interview to assess the student’s proficiency in English. This is a prerequisite for admission.
- Quality of past merits and academic record. Apart from grades, the university where the applicant studied and the quality of its graduate training will be reviewed in detail. (40%)
- Adequacy of the applicant's training and record with respect to the research lines of the Ph.D. program. Special attention is given to previous training in subjects relevant to this program. Modules with a research component will also be reviewed closely. Applicants must prove they have undergone enough training to allow them to undertake research in the fields of this program. The baseline is the program of the Master of Social Science Research organized by the Carlos III-Juan March Institute of Social Sciences (IC3JM) (30%)
- Originality and feasibility of the applicants Research Project and its potential contribution to its research field: Motivation and adaptation of the candidate's research interests in relation to the research lines of the program. (20%)
- Research experience and quality of earlier writings (Master thesis or other academic publications.). Attendance and participation in courses and scientific conferences, experience in research related activities (writing dissertations, participation in research projects, publications, conference presentations etc.) and an international academic profile is considered valuable. (10%)
The Academic Committee of the program may require a personal interview with the candidate to further assess the profile of the student.
Seats available for the academic year: 10
- FACULTY
- Academic Committee
Prof. Juan Díez Medrano
Department of Social Sciences. Director of the ProgramProf. Margarita Torre Fernández
Department of Social SciencesProf. Sebastián Lavezzolo Pérez
Department of Economics - Faculty
Structures and political and economic changes
Álvarez Nogal, Carlos
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridBattilossi, Stefano
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridCarmona Pidal, Juan Antonio
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridFernández García, Eva
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridFishman, Robert
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridGarcía Albacete, Gema María
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridHidalgo Trenado, Manuel
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridHoupt, Stefan Oliver
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridNatera Peral, Antonio
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridOrriols Galve, Lluís
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridOrtuño Ortín, Ignacio
Department of Economics
Universidad Carlos III de MadridPrados de la Escosura, Leandro
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridRiera Sagrera, Pedro
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSánchez-Cuenca Rodríguez, Ignacio
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSantiago Caballero, Carlos
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSimón Cosano, Pablo
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSimpson, James
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridTena Junguito, Antonio
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridViñas Chiappini, Verónica Esther
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridWences Simón, María Isabel
Department of Social Sciences
Universidad Carlos III de MadridEstructuras y cambios sociales
Díaz Gorfinkiel, Magdalena
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridDíaz Gandasegui, Vicente
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridDíez Medrano, Juan
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridFernández González, Juan Jesús
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridGarvía Soto, Roberto
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridGómez García, María Victoria
Departamento de Análisis Social
Universidad Carlos III de MadridPolavieja, Javier
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridRadl, Jonas
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSánchez Barricarte, Jesús Javier
Departamento de Análisis Social
Universidad Carlos III de MadridSandell, Rickard
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridTobío Soler, Constanza
Departamento de Análisis Social
Universidad Carlos III de MadridValiente Fernández, Celia
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridVeira Ramos, Alberto
Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad Carlos III de MadridThe 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.
- Academic Committee
- TRAINING
In addition to the elaboration of the doctoral thesis, students must take some training aimed at improving their research skills as well as ensuring the scientific quality of their research work. This is structured in the following types of training.
Specific training
Specialized seminars organized by the Department of Social Sciences and the Carlos III-Juan March Institute of Social Sciences, such as the Max Weber Seminars, the IC3JM Permanent Seminar and the Economic History Seminars. All seminars are given in English, by internationally esteemed experts and scholars, predominantly from foreign institutions. There are approximately 10 seminars per semester. A Ph.D. students have to attend 70% of the seminars, which corresponds to about 25 hours of training.
Advanced Research Courses organized by the Carlos III-Juan March Institute of Social Sciences: Short courses on research topics specific to the different areas of the program (Economic History, Political Science and Sociology). These courses are given in English by internationally prestigious professors from other institutions and universities. The courses have a maximum duration of one week and are partially financed with the mobility aids granted by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The program’s Ph.D. students have to attend all courses within their area of specialization.
Research Seminars by the Social Science Department’s faculty, with the presence of visiting professors at Carlos III University and professors from other departments. All students enrolled in the Ph.D. program must do at least two presentations of their work at these research meetings during their doctoral training. The first within 12-18 months into the program and the second 6 months ahead of the defence of the thesis.
Attendance at congresses, symposia, etc. All Ph.D. students are required to participate as speakers in at least one international conference or symposium of recognized prestige in their area of specialization. Funding for this activity is the responsibility of the Department of Social Sciences. This activity should be carried out in English.
Formative activities in foreign institutions and universities. The Ph.D. program actively promotes the mobility of its students to benefit from the training activities in prestigious foreign centres world-wide. The stay must have a minimum duration of 3 months. These stays are recommended not mandatory.
Research skills training
Research skills training is focused on abilities common to all disciplines for the development of scientific and educational skills and the improvement of the professional career. This training consists of different activities (short courses, seminars, etc.), which can be recommended by the Academic Committee of the program.
Further information:
- RESEARCH
- Research Lines
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
- Scientific Results
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.
- Scientific Publications
Recent and relevant publications of our faculty are available here.
- Research Lines
- THESIS
Thesis defense
The doctoral thesis consists of an original work of research developed independently by the Ph.D. candidate. The work is planned in consultation with a supervisor/director assigned to the student. The doctoral thesis should embrace one of the lines of research included in the Ph.D. program in Social Science.
The Doctoral School at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has implemented follow-up procedures to ensure high quality standards regarding the training and supervision of our students, as well as their thesis defense.
Further information:
Requirements
A thesis in the Social Science Ph.D. Program can either be a monograph or a compilation of separate papers. The requirements for quality and scope are the same for the two forms. A monograph should not exceed 80.000 words. A compiled dissertation shall typically contain an introductory chapter and three or more papers, each with a quality and scope corresponding to an article that might be accepted for publication in an international refereed scientific journal. In cases where other authors have contributed to one or several papers, the workshare of the author of the thesis must amount to that of a single authored compiled thesis.
The Academic Committee authorizes the presentation of the thesis in consultation with the candidate's tutor and the thesis director, and after the student’s second presentation at the Department of Social Science Workshop. The Academic Committee may use an external evaluator to assess the quality of the thesis before authorizing the presentation of the thesis.
- USEFUL INFORMATION
- Overview
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.
- Useful Information site for Ph.D. students
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 2025Enrollment 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 yearAnnual 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.
- Procedures
Academic procedures
Further information
- FAQ
Ph.D. Studies
Admission
Doctoral training scholarships. Exemptions
Enrollment
Ph.D. Studies: Monitoring and Development
Thesis defense
Glossary of terms
- Itinerary
- Regulations
- 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.
- NEW! RD 99/2011. Rules and Regulations of doctoral studies in Spain.
- Quality
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT Ph.D.
☛ Implementation Year: 2017-2018
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The Academic Committee of the Ph.D. complies with the SGIC-UC3M. It is responsible for the quality analysis of the program and produces the Degree Reports ("Memoria Académica de Titulación").
- Academic Committee
- Reports from the Quality Assurance Committee (Restricted access)
QUALITY INDICATORS
COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
- Overview
- CONTACT
Doctoral School Office | Getafe Campus
Carmen Martín Gaite Building, Office 18.0.A15
C/ Madrid, 135
28903 Getafe (Madrid)
Contact