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In light of a complex and rapidly evolving international context, understanding the interplay between history, security and defense has never been more timely. The PhD in History and Security and Defense Studies, resulting from a partnership between Iscte and the Military Academy, offers the necessary tools to better understand the past in order to better analyze and address the challenges of the present and the future.
This interdisciplinary program is designed to explore how historical events, policies, and conflicts influence modern security strategies and defense mechanisms. As the world grapples with multiple geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, climate-induced security risks, and new paradigms of warfare, the need for more specialized training in this area becomes inevitable.
By examining historical precedents and current trends, students will be able to promote meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world. With the collaboration of national and international experts, they will also have access to a comprehensive curriculum that combines rigorous historical research with contemporary security and defense theories, which will allow them to develop advanced research, analysis and critical thinking skills concerning the main factors that shape global peace and conflict.
The program also includes a strong interdisciplinary component, taking advantage of its linkages with the areas of advanced training developed at Iscte as well as the existing expertise of the Military Academy, and is carried out in close coordination with the research matrix and research groups of the Center for International Studies (CEI-Iscte).
Applications are now open for 1 Merit-Based Scholarship and 3 Grants for the Payment of Annual Tuition Fees, available to students of the PhD in History and Security and Defense Studies.
The Merit-Based Scholarships, with a monthly amount equivalent to the national reference value for PhD scholarships awarded by FCT, is intended for new students and for those enrolled in the 1st year in the academic year 2024–2025.
The Grants for the payment of annual tuition fees is available to new students who completed their Master’s degree at Iscte within the two academic years prior to the start of the PhD (including those who completed or will complete it in 2024–2025).
Eligible applicants include currently enrolled students as well as those applying to the PhD in the 6th application phase, taking place between 26 June and 27 August 2025.
More information available here
2026/2027
The course is structured around three central seminars: the History Seminar, the Security and Defense Studies Seminar, and the Theoretical-Methodological Seminar, which take place in the first two academic semesters of the doctorate.
The study plan also annually includes a Cycle of Multidisciplinary Conferences based on the collaboration of some of the most renowned national and international experts in the areas of History, Security and Defense, as well as a Project Seminar dedicated to the discussion and preparation of students' doctoral projects.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| History Seminar I * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Methodological Seminar I * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Phd Conferences Cycle * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Project Seminar * | 1 | 18.0 |
| Studies of Security and Defense Seminar * | 1 | 6.0 |
| History Seminar II * | 2 | 6.0 |
| Methodological Seminar II * | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Phd Thesis in History, Studies of Security and Defense Phd Thesis in History, Studies of Security and Defense | 1 | 180.0 |
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
2025/2026
| Round | Start Date | End Date | Vacancies | Application fee | Reservation fee | candidacy.reservation_fee_international |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2025-12-15 09:30 | 2026-01-14 17:00 | 25 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 2nd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € | |
| 3rd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € | |
| 4th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € | |
| 5th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-05-14 09:30 | 2026-06-24 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € | |
| 6th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-06-25 09:30 | 2026-08-26 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
The following are eligible to apply for the PhD in History, Security and Defense Studies:
Candidates who are required to obtain a visa are advised to formalize their application in the early stages.
We also recommend that if you have any problems completing the application process, you contact Iscte's Center for International Studies via e-mail: doutoramentos.cei@iscte-iul.pt.
In addition to the requirements indicated in the previous point, the application process includes the submission of the following documents:
