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.
Degree qualification
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
Required ministerial degree class
- Italian Lauree Magistrali (LM):
- LM-6 Biologia
- LM-60 Scienze della natura
- LM-75 Scienze e tecnologie per l'ambiente e il territorio
- Italian Lauree specialistiche (LS) equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees:
- 6/S Biologia
- 68/S Scienze della natura
- 82/S Scienze e tecnologie per l'ambiente e il territorio
- Italian Lauree equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees (awarded under the old system)
- Equivalent degree obtained abroad (eg Master of Science)
Deadlines for obtaining the entry qualification
- 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 10/06/2026
- Interviews: 18/06/2026 (online) and 29/06/2026 (in person)
- 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.
Selection process
The selection process includes an initial evaluation of qualifications such as the curriculum vitae, university exams taken, etc. Some qualifications are mandatory, while others are optional, and together they contribute to the overall score. Candidates who achieve the minimum score for eligibility pass this first stage and are admitted to the interview.
The first interview is conducted remotely, followed by a second interview in person. If there are positions or scholarships related to specific research topics, the Board of Examiners will assess the candidate's competence in relation to these topics. English language proficiency will also be tested as part of the interview.
At the end of the process, achieving the minimum required score allows the candidate to be included in the final shortlist of eligible candidates.
Note: The commission makes a preliminary assessment of the equivalence of the foreign degree with the Italian degree required for participation in the selection
The results of the tests and the final shortlist will be published on the page Ranking and Enrolment.
- Examination committee
Full members:
- Mauro Tretiach - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Fabrizio Mafessoni - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Annalisa Falace - Researcher - University of Trieste
Alternate members:
- Lucia Muggia - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Alberto Pallavicini - 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.
