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The Doctoral programme in Social Work consists of advanced training in the qualification of a researcher profile for the systematic understanding of the scientific field of Social Work and the development of research, analysis and evaluation skills.
The doctoral programme develops Research and Development (R&D) skills. It promotes and contributes to the acquisition of research skills integrated into a national and/or international knowledge production environment, including Associated Laboratories, Research Centres and other public institutions covering entities integrated into the Public Administration (in which R&D activities are carried out), and private non-profit institutions (whose main purpose is R&D activities). It has a training programme in knowledge production, based on social research methods, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods into the curriculum, deepening the mastery of mixed methods, within the framework of theoretical references in Social Work.
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 Social Work.
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
ESPP International PhD Conferences Cycle 2023/24
X ESPP PhD Colloquium | 27, 28 & 29 of May 2024
Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES-Iscte)
Message from Prof. Annamaria Campanini, President of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), on World Social Work Day 2024
WSWD 2024 English: https://youtu.be/Xh8EB2zY14Q
WSWD 2024 French: https://youtu.be/nqe3RjbdNAY?si=j47ctajluBmJmZwV
WSWD 2024 Italian: https://youtu.be/omUInxBbpe8?si=vsPniBwkVjR9KBAA
WSWD 2024 Spanish: https://youtu.be/laaZC17DZO0?si=bL2E3r3o3B-xwM8m
2026/2027
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Construction of Theory in Social Work * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Paradigms and Models of Social Work Research * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Public Policies and Social Protection * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Qualitative Methods in Social Research * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Advanced Data Analysis Methods * | 2 | 6.0 |
| Applied Research in Social Work Parte Escolar > Optional Courses > Free Or Supplementary | 2 | 6.0 |
| Research Seminar in Social Work * | 2 | 12.0 |
| Social Work Research and Professional Competences Development * | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
2nd semester
02825 | Social Work and Civil Society (ESPP | SS)
02874 | Advanced Seminar in Social Work and Disability (ESPP | SS)
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Phd Thesis in Social Work Phd Thesis in Social Work | 1 | 180.0 |
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
2nd semester
02825 | Social Work and Civil Society (ESPP | SS)
02874 | Advanced Seminar in Social Work and Disability (ESPP | SS)
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
2nd semester
02825 | Social Work and Civil Society (ESPP | SS)
02874 | Advanced Seminar in Social Work and Disability (ESPP | SS)
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
2nd semester
02825 | Social Work and Civil Society (ESPP | SS)
02874 | Advanced Seminar in Social Work and Disability (ESPP | SS)
The PhD programme in Social Work aims prepare Social Work professionals and specialists to:
a) Systematically understand Social Work as a field of study supported by its associated techniques and methods of research;
b) Conduct an original research programme of recognized scientific merit in the field of Social Work;
c) Critically analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas in Social Work;
d) Promote technological, social and cultural advancement within society based on knowledge from academic and professional contexts;
e) Have the skills to continue learning throughout life with a high degree of autonomy.
The teaching staff that coordinates the activities of this programme, including the lecturing of the compulsory and elective curricular units, is made up of professors and researchers.
The other researchers with PhDs at CIES also participate in the research and thesis supervision of the doctoral candidates. The programme furthermore incorporate collaborations with other Portuguese and international specialists in Social Work, who organize conferences, lead advanced seminars, and also supervise theses.
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 | 10 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 2nd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 3 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 3rd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 3 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 4th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 3 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 5th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-05-14 09:30 | 2026-06-24 17:00 | 3 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 6th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-06-25 09:30 | 2026-08-26 17:00 | 3 | 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 serialization 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);
- 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 applications’ specific selection and seriation criteria does not dispense consulting the and does not replace any additional information available on the Iscte website and the Fénix system.