For PhD students

The call for applications is aimed at first-year PhD students, Italian and international, admitted to one of the PhD programmes offered by the University of Bologna and who wish to apply to the International PhD College of the Collegio Superiore.

Only PhD students who have authorised the transfer of their personal data to the Collegio Superiore Administration Office when applying for the university PhD programme, or subsequently via email to the Administration Office, may submit an application.

For the academic year 2026/2027, a selection will be held for 10 places, normally divided into five for the Scientific and Technological Area and five for the Humanities and Social Sciences Area.

You can apply via the Studenti Online service, using the credentials created when applying for the PhD programme.

To complete the procedure:

1. click on “Calls for applications. “The opportunities offered by the University”. Select the course type “Collegio Superiore”.
2. Register for the selection entitled: “Call for applications for admission to the International PhD College of the Collegio Superiore of Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna for third-cycle students enrolled in the first year of a UniBo PhD programme”.
3. Enter the required data.

Documents to be attached (in PDF format):

• A double-sided copy of a valid photo identity document.
• Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum (in Italian or English).
• Letter of motivation for participating in I-PHD College activities.
• A brief proposal for a potential interdisciplinary project aimed at public outreach or dissemination (maximum 2,500 characters, including spaces, in Italian or English), based on the candidate’s disciplinary competence or linked to the PhD topics, but different from the dissertation.
• Summary or abstract of the second cycle/two-year master's degree dissertation (where available) or of a research project/internship carried out during the second cycle/two-year master's degree programme.
• Any valid residence permit issued in Italy or equivalent document, recognising international or temporary protection, in accordance with current regulations (Legislative Decree 286/1998, Legislative Decree 25/2008, Legislative Decree 85/2003).

You may also, optionally, attach a letter of recommendation from a university lecturer or an Italian or international professional, which may be taken into consideration by the committee.

Admission to the International PhD College involves two stages: a pre-selection based on the assessment of qualifications and an oral exam.

Pre-selection stage 

Applicants are assessed considering the following documents: 

• Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum;
• Motivation letter;
• Brief proposal for an interdisciplinary project on scientific dissemination or dissemination to society;
• Summary or abstract of the second cycle/two-year master's degree dissertation, or of a research project or internship carried out during the second cycle/two-year master's degree programme.

Oral exam

Candidates admitted to the next stage will take an oral examination.

The examination board, on the basis of the average of the marks obtained in the qualifications and in the oral examination, will draw up two separate ranking lists of merit, one for the Humanities and Social Sciences Subject Area and the other for the Science and Technology Subject Area. The first five suitable candidates on each ranking list will be declared as successful.

The final definitive ranking lists will be published on the Calls for Applications portal, usually in mid-December. This is the only authorised means by which the results of the exam are published. Successful candidates must accept the place within five calendar days of publication. Failure to accept within the specified deadline will be considered a withdrawal from admission.

N.B. If successful candidates expressly withdraw from admission or fail to accept within the set time limits, any suitable candidates will be called in ranking order.

Any withdrawals after acceptance of the place will allow the suitable candidates next on the ranking list to be called.