ATENÇÃO: Esta página foi traduzida automaticamente pelo Google Translate. Isto pode ter consequências inesperadas no conteúdo apresentado e, portanto, não nos responsabilizamos pelo resultado dessa tradução automática.
ATTENTION: this page has been automatically translated by Google Translate. This can have unexpected consequences and, therefore, we do not take responsibility for the result of that automatic translation.
The PhD Program in Political Science from the Department of Public Science and Public Policies at ISCTE-IUL provides theoretical and methodological training that allows doctoral candidates to develop research on current issues with appropriate results in professional and research fields.
The coordination of the PhD programme is managed by:
Applications are now open for 2 Merit-Based Scholarships and 3 Grants for the Payment of Annual Tuition Fees, available to students of the PhD in Political Science.
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
The comparative study of the interrelationships between societies and political systems, as well as the interrelationships between different states, is fundamental not only to understand, but also to transform the contemporary world.
2026/2027
The PhD Programme in Political Science has a four-year duration, corresponding to the completion of 240 ECTS credits, which are divided among 60 credits in lecture units in the first year and 180 credits for the doctoral thesis in the second, third and fourth years of the course.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Cycle Internship Parte Escolar > Optional Courses | 1 | 6.0 |
| Contemporary Debates and Controversies in Political Science * | 1 | 12.0 |
| Political Science and International Relations Seminar * | 1 | 12.0 |
| Political Systems, Europeanization and International Relations * | 1 | 12.0 |
| Research Project Seminar in Political Science and International Relations * | 1 | 18.0 |
Recommended optative
02678 | Political Campaigns Analysis
00529 | Elections, Parties and Political Representation
03426 | Public Opinion and Polls
00527 | Governance and Globalization
Optional courses have a limited number of places. On the other hand, they will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
The optional course may be other course of 6 ECTS credits, of the 2nd or 3rd cycle, with available vacancies, taking place in the 1st semester.
The list of the optional courses, for each new academic year, will be available on Fénix+ for new students to register, during the period defined for that purpose.
For more information on the curricular units running at Iscte, visit the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Phd Thesis in Political Science Specialization > Political Science | 1 | 180.0 |
Recommended optative
02678 | Political Campaigns Analysis
00529 | Elections, Parties and Political Representation
03426 | Public Opinion and Polls
00527 | Governance and Globalization
Optional courses have a limited number of places. On the other hand, they will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
The optional course may be other course of 6 ECTS credits, of the 2nd or 3rd cycle, with available vacancies, taking place in the 1st semester.
The list of the optional courses, for each new academic year, will be available on Fénix+ for new students to register, during the period defined for that purpose.
For more information on the curricular units running at Iscte, visit the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
02678 | Political Campaigns Analysis
00529 | Elections, Parties and Political Representation
03426 | Public Opinion and Polls
00527 | Governance and Globalization
Optional courses have a limited number of places. On the other hand, they will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
The optional course may be other course of 6 ECTS credits, of the 2nd or 3rd cycle, with available vacancies, taking place in the 1st semester.
The list of the optional courses, for each new academic year, will be available on Fénix+ for new students to register, during the period defined for that purpose.
For more information on the curricular units running at Iscte, visit the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
02678 | Political Campaigns Analysis
00529 | Elections, Parties and Political Representation
03426 | Public Opinion and Polls
00527 | Governance and Globalization
Optional courses have a limited number of places. On the other hand, they will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
The optional course may be other course of 6 ECTS credits, of the 2nd or 3rd cycle, with available vacancies, taking place in the 1st semester.
The list of the optional courses, for each new academic year, will be available on Fénix+ for new students to register, during the period defined for that purpose.
For more information on the curricular units running at Iscte, visit the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
Students are intended to acquire the following set of abilities:
a) A systematic command of the discipline of Political Science;
b) Political Science-related competencies, skills and research methods;
c) The ability to conceive, design and implement original research of scientific value;
d) The capacity to critically assess, analyse and summarise new and complex ideas;
e) The capacity to communicate with scientist peers as well as the community on the topic of his/her scientific area, and to publish his/her scientific work;
f) The ability to contribute, in academic and professional contexts, towards social progress and the wellbeing of all populations.
These skills are acquired through the specific features of the study plan, which include: the renewal of knowledge on the issues of PS and IR, the apprehension and debate of cutting-edge research, theoretical and technical-methodological advancement, and a combination of research theory and practice for the purpose of carrying out socially and politically relevant research projects.
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 € | € |
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);
- 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 application's specific selection and seriation criteria and does not replace any additional information available on the Iscte website and the Fénix system.