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The PhD programme in Sociology trains students to become researchers and higher education professors, as well as professionals who are highly qualified in the analysis of social problems.
The programme duration is 4 years. During the first year, doctoral candidates attend seminars in theories and methods, as well as elective modules open to all the master’s students in the social sciences at Iscte. In the other three years, candidates prepare their theses by conducting research in the Centre for Research and Studies of Sociology (CIES), which has been classified as “Very Good” by the FCT. In addition, students attend a research seminar and an international conference cycle in Sociology.
According to their academic and scientific backgrounds, candidates may be exempted from attending part or all of the curricular component (1st year) of the programme at their request.
Useful links
Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES-Iscte)
2026/2027
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Sociological Theories: Major Works * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Extensive Methodologies: Selected Sociological Researches * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Research Project Seminar in Sociology * | 1 | 18.0 |
| Sociological Research in Portugal * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Contemporary Sociological Theories: Major Works * | 2 | 6.0 |
| Intensive Methodologies: Selected Sociological Researches * | 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 Sociology Phd Thesis in Sociology | 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.
Upon finishing the PhD programme in Sociology, students should:
· Have the ability to understand the scientific field of sociology systematically;
· Have skills, ability and research methods associated with sociology;
· Have the skills to conceive, design and execute original sociological research of high scientific quality;
· Be able to critically evaluate, analyze and synthesize new and complex ideas;
· Be able to communicate with peer scientists and the community in general about their scientific domain and publish their scientific works;
· Be able to contribute to the ends of social progress and wellbeing for all people in an academic and professional context.
This programme utilizes a variety of operating methods, content and procedures to fulfill these objectives:
i) The programme is integrated into as well as coordinated academically by an excellent research centre in the field of Sociology (CIES);
ii) In the first year, doctoral candidates only attend lectures, acquiring advanced sociological skills on theoretical, methodological and technical levels, as well as knowledge of the current state of research in Sociology in Portugal and internationally;
iii) The programme provides a “Research Project Seminar in Sociology,” in which doctoral candidates start constructing their thesis projects, which are later elaborated with the support of an advisor and submitted for formal approval on the basis of the opinions of two specialists;
iv) Candidates also benefit from a “Doctoral Research Seminar in Sociology,” which supports the development of already approved thesis projects. In this seminar, doctoral candidates present and discuss their work before their peers and a larger audience of professors and researchers at multiple points.
v) All doctoral thesis projects are supervised by experienced researchers from CIES and other research units;
vi) The programme introduces doctoral candidates to well-regarded Portuguese and international researchers through the annual doctoral conference cycle.
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 | 4 | 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 | 4 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 4th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 5th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-05-14 09:30 | 2026-06-24 17:00 | 5 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | € |
| 6th round | Doutoramento/PhD | 2026-06-25 09:30 | 2026-08-26 17:00 | 4 | 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 does not exempt consulting the specific criteria for selection and seriation of applications. Additional information eventually available on Iscte website and/or in the application form of Fénix+ should also be considered.