COORDINATOR
OBJECTIVES
The research leading to the PhD assumes a systematic grasp of an area of legal knowledge, reflective, critical research that complies with the highest standards of ethics and scientific integrity; originality; the preparation of a written piece of research that aims to contribute to the construction of new tools for legal analysis.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION AND SEMINARS
2025-2026 School Year
SCHOOL CALENDAR AND CLASS SCHEDULE
2025-2026 School Year
REGULATIONS
PhD Programme Regulations (approved by the Faculty of Law Assembly of November 3, 2023)
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Candidates willing to apply to the cycle of studies leading to the Doctorate in Law must hold:
a. a master's degree in Law, with the minimum average grade of 14 out of 20 (applications subject to assessment by the Monitoring Committee of the Doctorate in Law Programme);
b. a bachelor's degree in Law (5 years of full-time academic Higher Education training), or equivalent in the case of a degree obtained abroad, and the average grade of at least 14 out of 20;
c. an outstanding academic, scientific or professional profile recognised by the Scientific Board of the UC Faculty of Law as attesting to the ability to complete this cycle of studies; candidates must obtain a minimum average application grade of 14 out of 20 (applications subject to assessment by the Monitoring Committee of the Doctorate in Law Programme).
2. The recognition referred to in points b) and c) of no. 1 only has the effect of granting access to the cycle of studies leading to the doctoral degree and does not confer on its holder the equivalence of the bachelor's or master's degree, or its recognition.
APPLICATIONS
EVALUATION RULES
The assessment regime for the PhD is set out in the Regulations for the PhD in Law of the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra, approved by the Faculty Assembly on 3 November 2023, and in the Academic Regulations of the University of Coimbra, no. 805-A/2020.
Assessment in the PhD course is carried out according to the continuous assessment method, which may include the completion, presentation and defence of a written assignment. The final assessment of doctoral students who pass the doctoral course seminars is expressed through a numerical classification corresponding to the following qualitative marks:
- 10 to 13 - Sufficient;
- 14 and 15 - Good;
- 16 and 17 - Very good;
- 18 to 20 - Excellent
The final grade for the non-curricular part of the doctoral programme (1st year) is the arithmetic average of the results obtained in the seminars.
The thesis project is a curricular unit of the doctoral programme (2nd year) and is assessed by a jury of three professors appointed by the Scientific Board. Grading is done on a whole number scale from 0 to 20.
The doctoral exam consists of the public discussion, before a jury, of an original thesis especially prepared for this purpose and appropriate to the legal science and the speciality in question. The final grade is expressed by the formulae Fail or Pass, in the latter case being awarded one of the following final grades:
- Approved
- Pass with distinction
- Pass with honour and merit.
The final grade is awarded by the doctoral jury taking into account the merit of the Thesis assessed in the public act. In the case of a doctoral student enrolled in a Programme with courses, the final grade also takes into account the final average grade of the doctoral Programme.
ACADEMIC BOARDS- Thesis project
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Thesis Project
What does the assessment referred to in Article 32(3) of the PhD in Law Regulations consist of?
The assessment takes into account the thesis project plus the doctoral student's performance.
How long will the exam last?
The duration will depend on the time taken by the examiner(s) and (to an equal extent) the doctoral student, but should not exceed 90 minutes.
Does the public exam have to be face-to-face?
It can be done face-to-face or by videoconference.
How is the jury chosen?
The members of the jury are appointed by the Scientific Board.
How is the date of the exam determined?
The president of the jury (who cannot be the supervisor or any co-supervisor), after consulting the other members of the jury, sets the date, which will be communicated to the doctoral student and the jury.
What is the minimum passing grade?
The minimum grade is 10.
APPLICATION FORMS
UC INFORMATIONS
CONTACT
Location: Instituto Jurídico R/C
Tel.: + 239 859 801/02
E-mail: gabdd@fd.uc.pt
UC/FL PhD Students Center: neduc.phd@gmail.com
NOTICES
We would like to inform all students taking the General Doctoral Programme in Law that by Order no. 1077/2016, published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 167, of 31 August 2016, the curricular structure and course list of the aforementioned Programme were altered.
http://www.uc.pt/fduc/cursos/3ciclo_direito/pdfs/planoestudos_doutoramento.pdf
Read more: https://www.uc.pt/fduc/cursos/doutoramento-em-direito/2025-2026/