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The PhD programme in Public Policy trains researchers and professors of higher education, as well as professionals qualified to analyze, design, manage and evaluate public policy within Portuguese, European, and international organizations.
This is a three-year programme in which students have opportunities to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills. During their first year, doctoral candidates attend six compulsory seminars focused on theories and methodologies in public policy, as well as two elective units that may cover any of the following areas: social policy, defense and external relations, education, health, the environment, immigration, media, science and technology, energy and development. In the following two years, candidates prepare their theses through conducting research in the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-IUL). In addition, candidates attend a research seminar, an international conference cycle and the Public Policy Forum.
Students who finish the first year of the course will receive a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Public Policy with 60 credits (ECTS).
The staff of teachers and conference speakers combines international and Portuguese specialists, including social scientists, lawyers and economists, former ministers, experts and high-level policy-makers.
The coordination of the PhD programme is managed by Pedro Adão e Silva.
Applications are now open for 2 Merit-Based Scholarships and 2 Grants for the Payment of Annual Tuition Fees, available to students of the PhD in Public Policy .
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
Useful links
International PhD Conferences Cycle
X ESPP PhD Colloquium | 27, 28 & 29 of May 2024
Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES-Iscte)
General Regulatory Standards for Iscte Doctorate Degrees | EN
Specific Norms of the PhD in Public Policy (2016) | PT
Alteration of acceptability - Project | Public Session | PT
2026/2027
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| European and International Public Policy * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Public Policy Analysis and Design * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Public Policy Research: the Comparative Method * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Research Project Seminar in Public Policy * | 1 | 18.0 |
| Public Policy Selected Researches * | 2 | 6.0 |
| State and Market: Contemporany Debates * | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended optative
The Scientific Commission of the PhD programme in Public Policy recommends that students attend the electives Theory and History of Public Policy (1st semester, Wednesday, 18:00-20:00), Policy Evaluation Methods (1st semester, Monday, 18:00-20:00), Planning and Public Policy (1st semester, Thursday, 20:30-22:30) and Indices and Statistics in Public Policy (2nd semester, Wednesday, 20:30-22:30).
Students can, however, select any other curricular unit available in the Master’s and PhD courses at Iscte.
During enrollment, students may consult the list of curricular units available as electives in the platform where they registered online.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Phd Thesis in Public Policy Tese em Políticas Públicas (120 Ects) | 1 | 120.0 |
Recommended optative
The Scientific Commission of the PhD programme in Public Policy recommends that students attend the electives Theory and History of Public Policy (1st semester, Wednesday, 18:00-20:00), Policy Evaluation Methods (1st semester, Monday, 18:00-20:00), Planning and Public Policy (1st semester, Thursday, 20:30-22:30) and Indices and Statistics in Public Policy (2nd semester, Wednesday, 20:30-22:30).
Students can, however, select any other curricular unit available in the Master’s and PhD courses at Iscte.
During enrollment, students may consult the list of curricular units available as electives in the platform where they registered online.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
The Scientific Commission of the PhD programme in Public Policy recommends that students attend the electives Theory and History of Public Policy (1st semester, Wednesday, 18:00-20:00), Policy Evaluation Methods (1st semester, Monday, 18:00-20:00), Planning and Public Policy (1st semester, Thursday, 20:30-22:30) and Indices and Statistics in Public Policy (2nd semester, Wednesday, 20:30-22:30).
Students can, however, select any other curricular unit available in the Master’s and PhD courses at Iscte.
During enrollment, students may consult the list of curricular units available as electives in the platform where they registered online.
When students finish the course, it intended that they will be able to:
a) Identify and evaluate the principal models of analysis, conceptual frameworks and methodological strategies of the discipline of public policy;
b) Combine theoretical and methodological tools in conducting research of scientific significance and quality in public policy;
c) Apply and utilize acquired knowledge to design, analyze, manage and evaluate public policy on national, European and international levels;
d) Communicate and disseminate the results of their work in the academic community and general society.
In each curricular unit these objectives are put into practice, and their attainment is measured through specific tools. In the first year, doctoral candidates attend six compulsory seminars dedicated to the study of the theories and methodologies of public policy, as well as two elective units that may cover any of the following areas: social policy, defense and external relations, education, health, the environment, immigration, media, science and technology, energy and development (60 ECTS credits).
In addition, candidates will attend a research seminar, an international conference cycle and the Public Policy Forum. The completion and defense of the doctoral thesis requires the knowledge, skills and competencies gained in these courses, assessing the candidate’s completion of the degree in an integrated manner.
The staff of professors and conference speakers that guide this programme includes both Portuguese and international academics and specialists, such as lawyers and economists, former ministers, experts and high-level policy-makers. The team that coordinates the programme activities, including the teaching of mandatory courses, combines professors from the School of Public Policy and Sociology and visiting professors.
Besides the members of the teaching team, the other CIES researchers whose work focuses on public policy also participate in the supervision of theses and research activities.
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 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 2nd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 15 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 3rd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
a) Master’s degree or the legal equivalent;
b) Bachelor’s degree, together with relevant academic or scientific curriculum which is recognized as attesting the ability to complete this level of study;
c) Relevant academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the ability to complete this level of study.
Specific selection and seriation criteria
Please, visit the page https://www.iscte-iul.pt/conteudos/study/1100/applications#.
Required documents
- Updated curriculum vitae;
- Identification document;
- Letter of motivation and research interests (2 pages);
- 2 (two) Letters of recommendation;
- Academic transcripts/Diplomas: supporting documents with the final classification obtained for the completion of the degree(s) and the respective positive scale(s) for certificates issued by foreign institutions;
- Transcript of records: document(s) proving the course units taken to obtain the degree(s), respective grades and duration of the course(s);
- Formal photo (passport-type).
This information does not dispense consulting the applications’ specific selection and seriation criteria and does not replace any additional information available on the Iscte website and the Fénix system.