PhD in Philosophy

Applications for admission to a PhD Course can only be submitted through participation in the public Call. Please note that this is a strictly regulated procedure: it is therefore essential to follow precisely the instructions, requirements, and deadlines specified in the mentioned call. Any failure to comply may compromise the validity of your application.

What you need to know:

• Calls for Applications are published between late May and mid-June.
• The application must be completed online, attaching all required documents.
• It is recommended to prepare all documents in advance before starting the procedure.
• An application fee of €50.00 is required.
• For more information, refer to the "Admission Procedures" section on the website.

Your application will not be accepted if:

• It is incomplete;
• Submitted after the deadline;
• Required documents listed in the Call are missing.

If your goal is to pursue a career as a researcher, the typical path after a PhD includes these steps: you usually start your career with a post-doctoral position (postdoc) in a research group, which can last between 1 and 5 years.  The next step is to obtain a more stable research position, accompanied by the ownership of research funds. With a solid track record of publications and funding, one can aim to lead a research group and then obtain a decision-making or management role within one's own department; in academic settings, one can gain access to an Associate Professor position and then Full Professor.

Alternatively to a career as a researcher, transdisciplinary skills typical of a PhD such as problem solving, project management, critical analysis and in general a deep knowledge of the research ecosystem, are highly valued in various professional fields. A PhD is highly valued in fields such as research and development (R&D), strategic consulting, data analysis and managerial roles in innovative companies.

In the prestigious THE World University Rankings, within the teaching pillar , UniSR achieves excellence in the area of PhDs, with the maximum score of 100.00. Furthermore, with 99.0 UniSR ranked fourth in the world for research quality, surpassed only by MIT (99.7), Stanford (99.6) and Harvard (93.3), achieving excellent scores in all research quality indicators (citation impact, research excellence, research strength and research influence).

UniSR is affiliated with the IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (OSR), making the San Raffaele campus the largest research hospital and university organisation in Italy, with over 880 active clinical trials, 100 high-tech research laboratories and exceptional expertise in bioethics, as well as in philosophy and experimental psychology. The excellence of the academic staff and the close integration of teaching, clinical activity and research enable UniSR PhD courses in Molecular Medicine and Cognitive and Behavioural Sciences to offer state-of-the-art training.

In addition, a library of excellence and academic research centres in which PhD students actively collaborate provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which to deepen critical thinking and develop new philosophical perspectives. Studying Philosophy at UniSR means entering an interdisciplinary context in which philosophical traditions dialogue with the most advanced scientific discoveries, the history of ideas, metaphysics and the philosophy of the arts, ethics and politics, the history and theory of the image, phenomenology and the sciences of the person, and experimental and applied philosophy of science.

Finally, the program is enriched by a vibrant doctoral community that fosters participation in social and cultural events, encourages the exchange of experiences, and helps build meaningful connections among students.

• Am I passionate about research and discovery?
• Have I talked to PhD students or alumni to better understand what the path involves?
• What are my professional goals? Is a PhD essential to achieve them?
• Am I ready to handle adversity and setbacks with autonomy?

A PhD is a very rewarding journey, but it requires strong motivation and a clear vision of future goals. These questions can help you make the right decision!

Yes, PhD programmes encourage international collaborations, conference participation and research internships both in Italy and abroad (up to 12 months). In addition, if a co-supervision agreement (co-tutelle) is established, students can spend up to 18 months at the partner university abroad and obtain a double degree.

You cannot attach reference letters to the application.

However, you may indicate up to two referees in the application form. After submitting your application, the system will automatically send them an email with instructions on how to upload their letter.

The academic year start date is indicated in the Call for Applications. Generally, for the ordinary call, the start is scheduled for the month of November.
PhD programs at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University have a duration of three years and are officially concluded with the thesis defense.
You may request an extension of 6 or 12 consecutive months. If the extension is granted, it will not be possible to complete the program earlier than the new extended deadline.
Interested PhD students must first discuss the matter with their Supervisor and submit a formal request according to the PhD Course Management Procedure available on the Intranet student page.

There are no specific restrictions regarding the type of degree required to apply. The requirement for admission to a PhD Course is Master’s Degree according to the Italian regulation or a foreign equivalent title recognized by law. For foreign degrees, you must also provide the documentation indicated in the Call. The suitability of the foreign qualification is verified beforehand by the Committee of admission to the PhD Course.

You may also apply under condition of obtaining the required degree by the deadline indicated in the Call.

If you are a medical resident, you may apply to the Physician Scientist program, which allows you to attend the last year of your medical area Residency Programs together with the first year of the PhD Course in Molecular Medicine.

The selection is divided into the two following phases:

1. Evaluation of the Qualifications
   The Committee evaluates the applications, and all the mandatory attached documents based on the criteria established by the Admission Committee. Candidates who meet the eligibility threshold indicated in the Call will be admitted to the next phase.

2. Interview
   If you are deemed eligible after the evaluation of the qualifications, you will be invited to a scientific and attitudinal interview, which may also take place via video call.

Both phases follow the evaluation criteria defined by the Committee.

Yes, you can. The first stage of the selection process involves a comparative assessment of qualifications based on the submitted documentation and the information provided in the online application form, according to the evaluation criteria previously established by the PhD Admissions Committee.

Including any publications, abstracts, or reference letters is not mandatory, but they can contribute additional points in the evaluation.

The rankings with admitted candidates are published on the University website and/or on the University Albo online  within the timeframes indicated in the call.

In case of withdrawals or forfeitures, other candidates will be admitted in order of the ranking and according to their preferences expressed in the application.

The number of available positions—both with and without a scholarship—and the related assignment procedures are specified in the call for applications. The list of available projects can be found on the website.
If indicated in the call, applicants may express a preference for one of the project-based fellowships in the application form.

Only for the PhD Program in Philosophy you do not have to make a choice for the project. Instead, admitted candidates will work on the research project included in their application

The deadlines and procedures for the enrollment phase are specified in the Call for Applications and on the University website.
We recommend reading it carefully and complying with the deadlines to avoid forfeiting the assigned position.

The Physician Scientist programme allows, as permitted by law, students of the final year of a Residency Program to attend simultaneously the 1st year of the PhD course in Molecular Medicine.

You can also apply to the PhD selection process in Molecular Medicine or Cognitive and Behavioural Sciences on the final year of Residency Program in the medical or psychological area respectively.

UniSR offers PhD students access to internal courses not only on hard skills specific to their research area, but also on soft skills and transferable competencies relevant to all fields of study and future careers. In addition, funding is available to support participation in external courses, seminars, and conferences.

1. Supervisor and co-supervisor(s) support students directly with regard to their research work and their general scientific and methodological training;
2. The PhD Office supports students from the application phase, throughout their career up to and beyond the award of their degree, for needs related to the degree awarded;
3. A Tutor provides personal and ongoing support through individual meetings to deal with any difficulties that may arise during the course of study;
4. A psychological support service is offered to students, including 4 free sessions, with the possibility, if desired, of continuing at reduced prices

Each PhD student’s top priority is the completion of his/her research, as the PhD is considered a full-time commitment.
However, according to the PhD Course Management Procedure available on the Intranet student page, it is possible—within defined time and financial limits and with prior approval from the Academic Board—to engage in a limited amount of tutoring, supplementary teaching, and, where applicable, other activities such as clinical or healthcare-related duties.

Any simultaneous enrollment in a PhD program and another university course must be reported to the Academic Board, which will assess its compatibility.
Since the academic year 2022/23, dual enrollment in two higher education programs is allowed, as established by Law No. 33 of April 12, 2022.
Ministerial Decree No. 930, issued on July 29, 2022, outlines the specific procedures that allow students to be enrolled in two programs simultaneously.
Simultaneous enrollment in two PhD Courses is not permitted, except in cases where specific co-tutelle (joint supervision) agreements are in place.