Una-Her-Doc — Joint Doctorate in Cultural Heritage

About the Programme

Una-Her-Doc is a joint doctoral programme developed by nine Una Europa universities.
It offers doctoral candidates the opportunity to carry out a research project in Cultural Heritage Studies under co-supervision between two partner universities — a Home university (where the candidate is enrolled) and a Host university (where a second supervisor is based).

Graduates of Una-Her-Doc obtain:

• the doctoral degree awarded by their Home university (and possibly Host, depending on national rules),
• and a Certificate on Cultural Heritage, co-signed by all nine Una Europa universities, attesting to their transnational, interdisciplinary and intercultural training.

The programme promotes mobility, interdisciplinarity and multilingualism, preparing a new generation of researchers and professionals ready to work across Europe in the field of cultural heritage.

For detailed information, visit the official Una Europa pages:

1. Programme Information
2. Fields of Research
3. Application Process & Requirements

Fields of Research

Una-Her-Doc candidates engage in one of four Transnational Research Teams (TRTs) that connect doctoral projects across the alliance:

• Heritage, Global Migration and Mobility – examining how migration and mobility shape cultural heritage and identity.
• Heritage and the Digitization of Society – studying digital transformations, access, and heritage innovation.
• Heritage, Social Capital, Mutuality and Volunteering – focusing on communities, participation, and social engagement.

• Safeguarding Cultural Heritage – addressing conservation, sustainability, and resilience to climate change.

Each TRT evolves dynamically, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across Una Europa institutions.

Programme Structure

• Duration: normally 3 to 4 years, depending on the regulations of the Home and Host universities. Extensions are possible if allowed by local rules.
• Mobility: a cumulative 12-month research stay at the Host university is required.
• Curriculum: includes 16 ECTS of mandatory activities and 14 ECTS of electives, or equivalent workloads if ECTS are not used.
• Learning activities: theory and methodology seminars, workshops, transnational research team meetings, and pre-defence before the Cultural Heritage Expert Committee.
• Language policy: core courses are taught in English; doctoral candidates may follow courses in other languages at their institutions.

• The thesis may be written and defended in English or another approved language; if not in English, a 20- to 30-page summary in English is required.

Why Join Una-Her-Doc

Una-Her-Doc is ideal for doctoral candidates who:

• wish to enrol in one Una Europa university (Home) while co-enrolled in another (Host);
• are pursuing research related to Cultural Heritage Studies;
• aspire to a European research career in heritage;
• value transnational and interdisciplinary doctoral training.

How to Apply

Step 1 – Find your main supervisor (Home university)
Contact a PhD supervisor in one of the nine Una Europa universities. See the “Teaching team” section on the Una Europa website.

Step 2 – Choose your co-supervisor (Host university)
Select a co-supervisor in another Una Europa institution. You will need recommendation letters from both supervisors.

Step 3 – Apply and enrol at your Home university
Submit your PhD application by your Home university’s deadline.
(In some institutions, this step may precede Step 1 — check local rules.)
Ensure that you also meet the Host university’s admission requirements.

Step 4 – Submit your Una-Her-Doc application
Prepare your application package together with your supervisors and submit it by 28 November 2025 to the Una-Her-Doc Joint Doctoral Committee member of your Home university.

Documents Required

• Thesis project (max 5 pages): topic, methodology, objectives, and initial bibliography
• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Recommendation letter from the supervisor
• Recommendation letter from the co-supervisor
• Proof of enrolment at the Home university

After Selection

Stage 1 – Selection
The Una-Her-Doc Joint Doctoral Committee reviews applications. Successful candidates are admitted to the programme.

Stage 2 – Enrol at Host university
Once accepted, candidates contact the administrative office at their Host university to complete enrolment.

Stage 3 – Co-supervision agreement
A bilateral agreement is signed between the two universities, defining degree conditions, defence rules, and periods of mobility.

Stage 4 – Cultural Heritage Expert Committee
Each candidate is assigned a committee with at least two researchers from two Una Europa universities other than the Home and Host.
The committee provides feedback and meets annually with the candidate and supervisors.

Fees & Funding

Fees
Registration in Una-Her-Doc is free of charge. Local fees apply for enrolment in the Home and Host universities. The distribution of fees is defined in the co-supervision agreement.

Funding
The programme itself does not award grants, but several universities offer financial support under local schemes.
At the University of Bologna, PhD candidates are normally fully funded through scholarships and research allowances.
Calls for applications are launched each spring, and programmes typically start on 1 November.

Submission

Submit your Una-Her-Doc application by 28 November 2025 to the member of the Una-Her-Doc Joint Doctoral Committee at your Home university.