This call for applications is open to particularly motivated and deserving Italian and international students admitted to one PhD programmes activated by the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna for the academic year 2025/2026 and who intend to participate in the selection for the International PhD College.
The call for applications in now online (link at the bottom of the page)!
Using "Studenti Online" website
Access the Studenti Online website (www.studenti.unibo.it) entering the credentials created during the PhD programme application. Click on "Bandi. Le opportunità che l’Università ti offre", select the "Collegio Superiore" course type, enrol in the selection named "Bando di concorso per l’ammissione all’International PhD College del Collegio Superiore dell’Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna di studenti di III ciclo iscritti al primo anno di un Corso di dottorato UniBo" and complete the procedure.
Applicants are required to attach the following documents (in PDF format):
Front and back photocopy of your ID card/Passport with a photo;
Curriculum Vitae (in Italian or English);
Statement of purpose for participation in the activities of the I-PHD College;
A concise proposal for a possible interdisciplinary project aimed at public engagement or dissemination to society (maximum 2500 characters including spaces, in Italian or English). This proposal can be possibly developed starting from the disciplinary skills of the candidate or linked to themes of the PhD project, but different from the latter;
A summary or abstract of the Master's degree thesis (if any) or a research/internship project completed during the Master's degree.
A valid residence permit (if any) issued in Italy for international or temporary protection (for asylum, subsidiary protection, humanitarian protection, special cases, special protection, pursuant to Legislative Decree 286/1998, Legislative Decree 25/2008 and legislation special, for temporary protection, pursuant to Legislative Decree 85/2003) or any valid residence permit that recognizes international or temporary protection in another country.
Applicants have the option to request a letter of recommendation (optional) from an Italian or international university professor/professional, which will be evaluated by the admission board.
The admission is based on merit and high scientific quality of candidates.
The selections consists of a preselection based on the evaluation of the required qualifications and an interview.
- Preselection (up to 70 points)
It is based on the evaluation of the following submitted documents:
a) Candidate's curriculum vitae (up to 25 points);
b) Candidate's statement of purposes (up to 15 points);
c) Concise proposal for a possible interdisciplinary project for scientific dissemination or societal engagement (up to 15 points);
d) Summary or abstract of the Master's degree thesis (if any) or a research/internship project undertaken during the Master's degree programme (up to 15 points).
- Interview (up to 30 points)
If you meet the conditions, the Administration office will contact you for an interview
The Admission Board will formulate two separate ranking lists based on the average scores obtained by the applicants in qualifications and the oral interview. One ranking will be for the humanities and social sciences discipline area, while the other will be for the scientific and technological discipline area. The top 5 eligible applicants from each ranking list will be declared winners.
The winners will receive an official admission email to the I-PHD College and must accept the position within 7 calendar days from the date of the email. Failure to accept within the specified timeframe will be considered a withdrawal of admission.
Short lists will be published on the Portale Bandi at the provided link and on the Collegio Superiore website on December 15, 2025 (December 11 if no ties occurs). This publication will be the only legally valid means of announcing the results of the selection process. Successful candidates must accept their place within 5 (five) calendar days from the date of publication. Failure to accept within the specified timeframe will be considered a waiver of admission.
Note: In the event of an explicit withdrawal of admission by the winners or failure to accept within the specified time, eligible applicants will be called in accordance with the ranking order.
Any withdrawals following the acceptance of the position will allow for the calling of eligible applicants who follow in the ranking. In case of withdrawal by the winners, the ranking will be adjusted accordingly.
The admitted PhD students are required:
To actively participate in the interdisciplinary “coworking” activities and to all training, cultural activities and other scientific events organized by the International PhD College;
To attend dedicated interdisciplinary learning activities;
To spend the entire duration of their PhD programme at the University of Bologna. Periods of study and research at other universities or Italian and foreign research centres must be authorized by the PhD Board;
To submit on a yearly basis a report summarizing the carried out scientific activities, with attached the Tutor evaluation to be submitted to the Academic Board for the evaluation of the accommodation benefit renewal;
To acknowledge the support of- and the affiliation to the International PhD College in the thesis and in all derived publications.
