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- PhD Programmes
PhD Programmes
ServiziPhDs are the third and highest level of university education in the Italian academic system, in which the aim is for students to develop high-level independent academic research skills so they can confidently carry out innovative, methodologically-sound research at universities, public bodies and private entities. Completing a PhD requires students to gain 180 research training credits (CFR) over a three-year period, and to write and defend an original, extended research project (PhD thesis).
- Admission
- Admission requirements
- Have an Italian laurea magistrale; laurea specialistica; or a laurea degree obtained prior to Ministerial Decree no. 509/1999;
- Have a foreign master’s level degree (e.g. Master of Science/Master of Arts) recognised as equivalent to any of the Italian degrees listed in (a), which would allow access to a PhD programme in the country where it was gained.
If your foreign degree has not already been recognised as equivalent to an Italian master’s level degree, you must attach supporting documentation to your application (i.e. bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcript; master’s degree certificate and academic transcript; diploma supplement if applicable) so the authenticity and suitability of your studies can be verified. These official documents may be submitted in Italian, English, Spanish or French. Documents in any other language must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Graduand applicants: Current master’s degree students who expect to graduate by the date of their enrolment in one of our PhD programmes may also apply for PhD admission. If your application is successful, you will be made a conditional offer by the university. You will then need to submit your graduation certificate or a self-declaration to the PhD Office by the date of your enrollment or you will lose your place on the programme.
Applicants with a foreign degree:Applicants with a master’s level degree conferred by a foreign university may be admitted to the selection process. If your application is successful, you will be made a conditional offer. If your master’s degree was conferred by a non-EU university, you will then need to provide a "dichiarazione di valore in loco" (attestation of equivalent value) to confirm the degree would allow you to enrol in a PhD in the country where it was issued. If the degree turns out to be insufficient or invalid, you will be not be admitted to the PhD programme. Further information about the attestation of equivalent value can be found on the CIMEA website.
- PhD scholarships and fees
Most of places on the 16 PhD programmes we offer are financially supported by scholarships, to an annual value of €16.243,00 net of INPS social security contributions which are to be paid by the funding body. The scholarship is paid in monthly instalments in arrears. The expected net amount may vary due to the annual increase in contribution rates.
PhD scholarships are exempt from income tax under Art. 4 of Law no. 476/1984 and Art. 6 of Law No. 398/1989. Scholarships are, however, subject to INPS social security contributions under the "Gestione Separata" (INPS Separate Management) category, pursuant to Art. 2, para. 26 of Law no. 335/1995 and subsequent amendments.
Scholarship receivers must register for “INPS Separate Management”
Two-thirds of the INPS contribution is paid by the University and one-third is to be paid by the PhD student.
Registration for "INPS Separate Management" can be made online at https://www.inps.it/prestazioni-servizi/servizio/2501 starting from official starting date of your cycle.
Further information about INPS’s Gestione Separata can be found on the INPS web site.
INPS's freephone number is 803.164. The service in multiple languages.
Al though scholarships are not subject to income tax for ISEE purposes, PhD scholarship recipients can apply for an annual statement of income, called the "Certificazione Unica" (CU or CUD). The CU/CUD can be viewed and downloaded from the UGOV platform using your GIA login.
- Enrolment fees and contributions
PhD fees and contributions are as follows:
Students with a scholarship make a single payment which comprises "tuition fees", regional study tax contributions and stamp duty using the virtual stamping system.
Students without a scholarship make a single payment which comprises regional study tax contributions and stamp duty using the virtual stamping system.
Other than students without a scholarship, the following types of students are exempt from paying "tuition fees":
- PhD Students with a certified disability of at least 66% as attested by a relevant health authority, pursuant to Law no. 104/92;
- Foreign students receiving an Italian Government scholarship (the current application process is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.esteri.it;
- Recipients of a regional scholarship.
- Information on STUDY VISA and resident permit for non-European PhD students
If you are a non-European citizen offered a place on a PhD programme, once you have paid your enrolment fees you should apply for a STUDY VISA, Type D (long duration, valid for stays longer than 90 days). To do that you are required to submit a specific VISA request using Universitaly Portal. The PhD Office will validate your request and issue you a specific invitation letter with details about your PhD programme, its duration, and any scholarship amounts, if applicable. This invitation letter will be sent out by the PhD Office to both you and the Visa Office of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country where you reside. Before applying for a study visa, we strongly recommend you first contact the Italian Embassy in your country, or the nearest Italian Consulate, to ask for information about the visa requirements of attending a three-year PhD programme in Italy.
For informational purposes, the documents that are typically required by the diplomatic authorities include:
- Passport, valid at least 3 months (for some countries at least 6 months) beyond the end of your stay in Italy;
- Documentation from the University of Verona confirming your enrolment in a PhD programme;
- Statement providing evidence of sufficient financial means for your stay in Italy (for students receiving a PhD scholarship, the documentation provided by the PhD Office should be sufficient);
- A statement providing evidence of suitable lodging arrangements (optional);
- A return travel ticket or proof of sufficient funds to buy a return ticket back to your country of residence
If you are a non-European citizen accepted to a PhD programme and you already have a residence permit issued by an EU country, before applying for an Italian study visa please contact the PhD Office to check whether or not you need an entry visa to Italy.
Residence permit for non-EU citizens
According to current Italian laws, PhD students with non-European citizenship must apply for a residence permit for study purposes within eight working days of arriving in Italy. This is the only legal document that legitimises your stay in Italy and it is issued by the relevant office of the Questura di Verona. The residence permit is an identification card where your personal data, ID photo and fingerprints are stored in digital format. It has the same duration as your visa (normally 12 months) and currently costs approximately €120.
Therefore, upon arrival in Verona, please visit the PhD Office to complete your university enrolment and collect the documentation needed to legalise your stay in Italy.
For assistance, you can make an appointment with the PhD Office (dottorati.ricerca@ateneo.univr.it) and the International Students Union of Verona (verona@isu-services.it) for help with administrative procedures in relation to your stay in Verona. Once you have obtained your residence permit (usually around 3-5 months after applying for it), you must provide a copy to the PhD Office (dottorati.ricerca@ateneo.univr.it).
- Health insurance for PhD students (EU and non-EU)
If you are an EU citizen and have resided in Italy for at least five years, you are entitled to apply for the Attestato di Soggiorno Permanente (Long-Term Residence Certificate) in the municipality where you reside. This gives you the right to enrol in the Italian National Health System (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN) and means you can choose a long-term general practitioner or family doctor (medico di base/medico di famiglia) close to where you live in Italy.
If you do not meet the conditions to apply for the <strong>Attestato di Soggiorno Permanente</strong>, in order to benefit from health insurance coverage in Italy as an EU PhD student, you should request a E106, E109 or S1 form from the relevant health authority in your home country. Having one of these forms means you can enrol in the SSN once you have arrived in Italy, and you can select a family doctor for the period stated on the form.
If you do not meet the conditions above but you have an Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria Europea, or TEAM) issued by the relevant health authority in your home country, you can access all the necessary medical services such as occasional visits to a family doctor/general practitioner and specialist outpatient services.
In absence of the TEAM card, EU PhD students can take out private health insurance, which must be valid for the entire duration of your PhD programme (3 years) and must cover all health risks, including maternity. This option does not allow you to enrol in the SSN or choose a local family doctor. Please note that private health insurance policies usually require you to pay for any medical costs upfront and then request reimbursement from the insurance company. It is therefore important to check the terms and limits of refunds carefully before purchasing a policy.
Alternatively, you can apply for voluntary enrolment in the SSN, providing a self-declaration that you are a PhD student, The fee is a flat rate of €149.77 valid for one calendar year (1st January–31st December). Voluntary enrolment in the SSN as an EU PhD student requires you to officially register your residency in the Italian municipality where you are staying.
Health insurance for non-EU PhD students
If you are non-EU citizen and PhD student, you may apply for voluntary enrolment in the Italian National Health System (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN), which allows you to choose a general practitioner or family doctor (medico di base/medico di famiglia) near where you live. The annual fee is €149,77 and registration is valid for one calendar year (1st January–31st December). As a non-EU PhD student applying for the voluntary enrolment in the SSN, you are not required to be registered as a resident in Verona or any other Italian municipality.
Please note: Registration with the SSN is valid for one solar year, from 1st January to 31st December of the same year. It is not possible to register beforehand for the following year. Therefore, if you arrive in September to begin a PhD commencing on 1st October, you should consider this option with care, because even though you will have to pay the full annual fee, your registration will only be valid until 31st December. For the months not covered by the SSN, you could decide to take out private health insurance (either in your own country or in Italy) which must cover all health risks, including maternity. Private health insurance is not in any way associated with registering in the SSN, nor with choosing a local GP. It simply means your insurance company will reimburse you for any medical fees specified by your policy.
Private health insurance policy
If you decide to take out private health insurance, the policy must satisfy the following requirements:
- Valid in Italy and in the Schengen Area
- Guarantees a coverage of at least €30,000
- Guarantees the policy holder’s return to their country in case of serious illness
- Provides full coverage for all healthcare risks, including maternity
- Covers expenses for emergency treatment and urgent hospitalisation
- Covers the entire duration of the policy holder’s stay in Italy (or the period not covered by the SSN)
- Specifies what formalities the policy holder must comply with in order to be reimbursed.
If you take out private health insurance before leaving your country, the insurance policy must be in English or translated into Italian and legalised by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The cost of private health insurance is your responsibility.
To receive assistance when registering with the Italian National Health Service, or for further information about health insurance coverage in Italy, please contact the International Students Union of Verona (verona@isu-services.it).
- Head
- Camilla Morelato
- People
- Service managed by:
- dottorati.ricerca@ateneo.univr.it
Documents
- Ministerial Decree no. 226/2021
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Regulations concerning the procedure for the accreditation of the research
doctorates and criteria for their setting up
- Regulations for PhD Studies from 38th cycle
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Issued by Rector’s Decree no. 3083 of 05/04/2023. These regulations apply to PhD programmes from XXXVIII cycle.
Regulations for PhD Studies - EN | 328Kb | 12/04/2023
Regolamento per gli studi di Dottorato di Ricerca - IT | 966Kb | 05/09/2023
- Regulation for PhD School and PhD programmes from 38th cycle
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Regulations for PhD School and PhD programmes - EN | 239Kb | 03/05/2023
Regolamento della Scuola e dei Corsi di Dottorato - IT | 326Kb | 03/05/2023
- Regulations for PhD programmes old cycles
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These regulations apply to old PhD programmes
Regulations for PhD studies up to 37 cycle - EN | 372Kb | 03/05/2023
Regolamento per gli studi di Dottorato fino al 37 ciclo - IT | 516Kb | 03/05/2023
Regolamento della scuola e dei corsi di dottorato fino al 37 ciclo - IT | 472Kb | 07/04/2023
Regulations for PhD School and PhD programmes up to 37 cycle - EN | 470Kb | 07/04/2023
- Carta dei Servizi
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FAQ
Until Law no. 33/2022 came into force, it was not possible to be enrolled in more than one study programme awarding a degree in Italy or abroad (e.g. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes, Postgraduate Specialisation programmes, 1st and 2nd level Professional Masters’ programmes, PhD Programmes) at the same time.
The entry into force of the aforementioned law has meant that this prohibition has been lifted and, as of the 2022/2023 academic year, it will be possible to be enrolled simultaneously in a Bachelor's Degree/Master's Degree/Non-Medical Postgraduate Specialisation programme and a PhD programme.
Joint attendance between a PhD programme and a Medical Postgraduate Specialisation programme is possible according to the procedures and terms summarised in the next paragraph.
Please note that it is still not possible to be enrolled in a 1st or 2nd Professional Master’s programme and a PhD programme at the same time: in this case, the student will need to choose between the two courses. If double enrolment is ascertained, the Rector will cancel the enrolment in the PhD programme and recover any sums paid in the form of scholarships.Students enrolled in a Medical Postgraduate Specialisation programme at any University are permitted to take the Admission Test for a PhD programme.
If the student is selected, when enrolling in the PhD programme, they must:- complete and send to ufficio.protocollo@pec.univr.it the nulla osta (authorisation form), certifying that joint attendance between the PhD programme and the Specialisation programme has been declared compatible, also in view of the distance between the two courses' venues, signed by the Director of the Medical Postgraduate Specialisation programme and the Coordinator of the PhD programme.
Until Law no. 33/2022 came into force, it was not possible to be enrolled in more than one study programme awarding a degree in Italy or abroad (e.g. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes, Postgraduate Specialisation programmes, 1st and 2nd level Professional Masters’ programmes, PhD Programmes) at the same time.
The entry into force of the aforementioned law has meant that this prohibition has been lifted and, as of the 2022/2023 academic year, it will be possible to be enrolled simultaneously in a Bachelor's Degree/Master's Degree/Non-Medical Postgraduate Specialisation programme and a PhD programme.
Joint attendance between a PhD programme and a Medical Postgraduate Specialisation programme is possible according to the procedures and terms summarised in the next paragraph.Please note that it is still not possible to be enrolled in a 1st or 2nd Professional Master’s programme and a PhD programme at the same time: in this case, the student will need to choose between the two courses. If double enrolment is ascertained, the Rector will cancel the enrolment in the PhD programme and recover any sums paid in the form of scholarships.
- Yes. Students who are already enrolled in a PhD programme at the University of Verona may, if they pass the relevant entrance exams and are successfully graded in the merit ranking, change to a different PhD programme. Students who change PhDs must renounce their previous PhD programme and begin again from the first year of the new programme only if that programme offers a place without a scholarship.
- Candidates already in possession of a PhD cannot be admitted to the entrance exams of any programme with similar research topics to those of their PhD. Those who have already benefited from a PhD scholarship, regardless of the place and year, cannot receive a second one. They will be able to enroll in the programme only if positions without scholarship are available.
- Art. 12 paragraph 2 of the Ministerial Decree nr. 45/2013 establishes that “students admitted in a Doctorate must attend courses and continuously conduct study and research on a full-time basis”; anyway students, upon authorization of the Teaching Committee, can carry out work or maintain the previous one, on the condition that it does not compromise their participation in the overall activities of the PhD programme. The "Request of authorization" is available on the Graduate School web page and it must be delivered to the secretariat of Graduate School of reference, who will submit it to the competent Teaching Committee for approval.
- It is not possible to be simultaneously enrolled in more than one study programme, in Italy or abroad, that leads to the awarding pf a degree (e.g. Bachelor, Masters or Postgraduate Specialization, Short Masters level I or II, or PhD). If enrolment in more than one programme is ascertained, the PhD enrolment shall be invalidated by order of the rector and any scholarship payments shall be recovered.
- Should a student renounce his/her place after the beginning of the programme activities:
- Within the first three months of the first year, the place left free will be reassigned to the first eligible student.Once received the communication of renounce, the PhD Office will contact by e-mail the student in order to communicate the availability of a place.
Upon completion of enrolment, PhD students will receive an automatic e-mail with their new username relating to their GIA login details in the form idxxxx (the password will remain the same as when they first registered with the system). With this account they will have access to the institutional e-mail address (name.surname@studenti.univr.it) as well as to the ESSE3 platform from which they will be able to download the various self-certifications throughout their academic career. This account must also be used to access the "Service Desk" assistance through which you will be able to contact the University’s offices.
All other IT services offered by the University will be accessible through personal GIA login details (username consisting of the first six letters of the tax code plus two digits), which the PhD student must activate within a month of the start of the Programme by contacting the technical staff of the relevant Department. For contact details of your IT staff and for problems concerning your GIA login details, software configuration and general IT-related issues, click here.
Your personal GIA login details will give you access to the new e-mail address name.surname@univr.it which will be the exclusive channel of communication between the Office and PhD students. It is recommended that you check your institutional mailbox on a daily basis
- Yes, scholarships have an annual duration and are renewed on the condition that the PhD student has completed all the activities intended for that year, as attested by the Teaching Committee. If the student has fulfilled the expected academic obligations, the scholarship must be administrated.
- PhD scholarships cannot be accumulated with other scholarships, except those granted by national or foreign institutions that allow the student to conduct PhD research abroad and scholarships for further study abroad in accordance with Law 398/989.
- ThePhD scholarship is not compatible with the Research Grants (Assegni di Ricerca), in this case the PhD students have to choose if: - Keeping the Research Grant and renouncing to the three years PhD scholarship; - Keeping the PhD scholarship and renouncing to the Research Grant. In both cases the choice is definitive. In case you choose the Research Grant, this will be paid out until its term-time, unless it is renewed. The registration for the doctoral studies does not give the right to additional funds from the University.
Public employees who are admitted to a PhD Programme shall benefit form leave of absence for a period consisting of normal duration of the programme, as established by collective agreements. Employees in the public law regime are granted special leave for study purposes, provided this is compatible with the requirements of the administration, pursuant to Art. 2 of Law no. 476/1984 ad subsequent amendments, with or without a scholarship. Unless by explicit waiver, such leave applies only to those who are enrolling in a PhD Programme for the first time, regardless of the field of study.
- Yes, from the second year each PhD student must be guaranteed a research budget that is appropriate to his/her programme type and not less than 10% of the minimum annual amount of scholarship, equal to € 1.624,30 per year, reserved to support the student’s national and international mobility and the expenses related to his/her research activity.
- During the year of joint attendance, a PhD student enrolled in the last year of a Medical School of Specialization, cannot receive both the PhD scholarship and the remuneration due as post-graduate student. During this period the PhD scholarship will not be supplied.
- If a PhD student intends to renounce the scholarship he/she must inform the PhD office by mail using the following address dottorati.ricerca@ateneo.univr.it, and specifying the exact date of his/her renunciation.
- The PhD student is university student enrolled in tertiary-level education programme who must attend PhD course and continuously conduct study and research in the intended structures according to the modalities determined by the Teaching Committee and the Verona University PhD Regulations.
- Yes. Medical PhD students may participate in assistential clinical activities if their research project so requires and if is justified and authorized by the Teaching Committee. After the 3rd year of the PhD programme, this limitation is abrogated.
- Yes. As part of their programme, PhD students may teach Bachelor and Masters students (e.g. practice exercises, seminars or laboratory assistance) up to a maximum of 40 hours each academic year, provided they have authorization from the Teaching Committee and that this does not increase the amount of their scholarship. After the 3rd year of the PhD programme, this limitation is abrogated.