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The PhD in Communication Sciences focuses on developing research on individual, collective and institutional behaviour within the framework of network communication.
This doctoral program is developed in association/partnership between Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon and the School of Communication and Media Studies (ESCS) of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, with the active participation of faculty members from both institutions, both in teaching the course units and in supervising doctoral theses, ensuring scientific and academic training of excellence.
Doctoral candidates may pursue specialized study by completing a minimum of two elective units offered in one of the following areas:
Applications for Iscte Merit Scholarships will be accepted from PhD students at the School of Sociology and Public Policy. Information on the application process will be made available shortly. The monthly amount of the grant is equal to the reference value for FCT Doctoral Grants, plus an exemption from tuition fees. Students must be enrolled full-time and dedicated exclusively to their studies.
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 Communication Sciences.
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)
"Digital networks are omnipresent, influencing almost every aspect of our daily lives. In this context, research based in communications becomes crucial for comprehending the social, cultural, economic, organizational, and political changes happening in our societies."
2026/2027
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Cycle Internship Parte Escolar > Optional Courses | 1 | 6.0 |
| Advanced Methods in Communication Sciences * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Internet Studies * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Research Seminar in Communication Sciences * | 1 | 18.0 |
| Strategic Communication * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Media and Socio-Cultural Mediations * | 2 | 6.0 |
| Research in Communication Sciences * | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended optative
The offering of elective course units is subject to a minimum number of enrolments.
The Scientific Committee of the doctoral programme may issue recommendations concerning the enrolment in specific elective course units.
For more information on the available course units, please consult the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Phd Thesis in Communication Phd Thesis in Communication (120 Ects) | 1 | 120.0 |
Recommended optative
The offering of elective course units is subject to a minimum number of enrolments.
The Scientific Committee of the doctoral programme may issue recommendations concerning the enrolment in specific elective course units.
For more information on the available course units, please consult the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|
Recommended optative
The offering of elective course units is subject to a minimum number of enrolments.
The Scientific Committee of the doctoral programme may issue recommendations concerning the enrolment in specific elective course units.
For more information on the available course units, please consult the page https://fenix-mais.iscte-iul.pt/units/iscte/informacao-geral.
The teaching staff of this course includes researchers from CIES and lecturers from different research centres and foreign universities.
Lecturers and members of advisory council:
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 | 3 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 2nd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 3rd round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 7 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 4th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 7 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 5th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-05-14 09:30 | 2026-06-24 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 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 applications’ specific selection and seriation criteria and does not replace any additional information available on the Iscte website and the Fénix system.