The main objective of the PhD career is the development of an original research contribution. The PhD thesis is expected to contribute to the advancement of the knowledge in the candidate's research field. At the conclusion of the PhD studies, students must submit a report on their activities and a draft of the thesis, and present the results of their research activities to the Board of Professors. The PhD Thesis must be written in English.

The Board evaluates the whole of student’s activities and gives a final mark. Possible grades are, in descending order: ottimo (excellent), buono (good), discreto (fair), sufficiente (pass), insufficiente (fail). Students who receive a positive assessment (i.e. other than insufficiente/fail) can submit their theses to two external reviewers, chosen by the Board, for refereeing. If the assessment provided by the reviewers is positive (or after the revisions possibly required by them), students can defend their thesis in a final exam, before a Committee. The Committee is formed by three members, also from foreign institutions; at least two of the members must be external to the University of Salerno. The Committee may be integrated with up to two external experts on the topics of the PhD thesis.

After the thesis defense, the Committee may either accept the thesis and assign the PhD degree with a mark, or reject the thesis. Possible grades are: eccellente con lode (excellent cum laude), ottimo (excellent), buono (good), discreto (fair), sufficiente (pass). The mark is given depending on the presentation and defense of the Thesis, the quality of the obtained research results, the level of the publications, the marks obtained by the student during his/her career. The excellent cum laude grade may be assigned only unanimously in case of outstanding research results and has to be adequately motivated by the Committee.

If the thesis is rejected by the Committee, it is not possible to defend the thesis again.