Access to PhD programmes takes place through a competitive selection process
The selection includes an assessment of qualifications and an oral interview. The entire process is managed to ensure transparency , impartiality and publicity.
Who is eligible for a PhD programme?
- Holders of an Italian master's degree (laurea magistrale, laurea specialistica or laurea vecchio ordinamento)
- Holders of a suitable foreign academic qualification. The qualification must grant access to a PhD programme according to the education system of the country where it was obtained
- Italian Lauree Magistrali (LM):
- LMG/01 Giurisprudenza
- LM-1 Antropologia culturale ed etnologia
- LM-43 Metodologie informatiche per le discipline umanistiche
- LM-52 Relazioni internazionali
- LM/DS Scienze della difesa e della sicurezza
- LM-62 Scienze della politica
- LM-63 Scienze delle pubbliche amministrazioni
- LM-64 Scienze delle religioni
- LM-78 Scienze filosofiche
- LM-81 Scienze per la cooperazione allo sviluppo
- LM-84 Scienze storiche
- LM-87 Servizio sociale e politiche sociali
- LM-88 Sociologia e ricerca sociale
- LM-90 Studi europei
- LM-85 bis Scienze della formazione primaria
- Italian Lauree specialistiche (LS) equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees:
- 1/S Antropologia culturale ed etnologia
- 17/S Filosofia e storia della scienza
- 18/S Filosofia teoretica, morale, politica ed estetica
- 22/S Giurisprudenza
- 49/S Metodi per la ricerca empirica nelle scienze sociali
- 57/S Programmazione e gestione delle politiche e dei servizi sociali
- 60/S Relazioni internazionali
- 70/S Scienze della politica
- 71/S Scienze delle pubbliche amministrazioni
- 72/S Scienze delle religioni
- 88/S Scienze per la cooperazione allo sviluppo
- 94/S Storia contemporanea
- 96/S Storia della filosofia
- 97/S Storia medievale
- 98/S Storia moderna
- 99/S Studi europei
- 102/S Teoria e tecniche della normazione e dell'informazione giuridica
- Italian Lauree equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees (awarded under the old system)
- Equivalent degree obtained abroad (eg Master of Science)
- By 31 October 2026
- Registration for the selection: 22/04/2026 – 25/05/2026
- Payment of the application fee*: 25/05/2026
- Publication of admission to the tests: by 15/06/2026
- Interview: 29/06/2026
- Publication of ranking lists: by 15/07/2026
- Pre-enrolment of successful candidates: available after publication of the ranking list
- Achievement of the entry qualification: 31/10/2026
- Start of the programme: 01/11/2026
* Applicants from low-income countries included in this list are exempt from paying the registration fee.
The selection process begins with the evaluation of qualifications such as the curriculum vitae, university exams taken, etc. Some qualifications are mandatory, others optional, and together they contribute to the overall score. Candidates who reach the minimum eligibility score pass this first stage and are admitted to the interview.
The interview is held in person, with the possibility of taking it remotely upon request. Where places or scholarships are linked to specific research topics, the committee will assess the candidate’s competence in relation to those topics. The level of English language proficiency will also be assessed.
At the end of the process, achieving the required minimum score allows candidates to be included in the ranking of successful applicants.
The committee carries out a preliminary assessment of the equivalence of foreign qualifications to the Italian qualification required for participation in the competition.
The results of the evaluations and the ranking will be published on the Rankings and enrolment page.
- Examination committee
Full members:
- Alessandra Cislaghi - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Miriam Davide - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Silvia Daniela Inaudi - Researcher - University of Trieste
- Andrea Strollo - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Mattia Zulianello - Full Professor - University of Trieste
Alternate members:
- Diego Abenante - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Roberta Altin - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Alberto Bonchino - Researcher - University of Trieste
- Tullia Catalan - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Elisabetta De Giorgi - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Federico Donelli - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Giovanni Grandi - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Giuseppe Ieraci - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Patrick Karlsen - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Paolo Labinaz - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Pierpaolo Marrone - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Riccardo Martinelli - Full Professor - University of Trieste
Online application procedure
- Log in to the Online Student Service (Esse3) using your SPID (Public ID system). No SPID? Register as usual.
- Follow the guided procedure and, when prompted, upload:
- CV
- ID document
- The forms available at the bottom of this page
- Certificates or any other document, as specified in the attachment to the Call
Read the tutorial to easily complete the application procedure.
The summary of the procedures described on this website does not replace the Call for applications and the specific attachment for the PhD selection, and that must be read and fully understood in every part. Entering the competition implies full acceptance of the Call.
Forms for the selection