Internationalization of the Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program in Computer Science promotes internationalization both through incoming opportunities – offering a scholarship reserved for those who have obtained a master’s degree or equivalent abroad – and outgoing opportunities, with study and research stays abroad for Ph.D. students, lasting up to twelve months (eighteen months in the case of cotutelle agreements).

Each Ph.D. student is required to spend at least 3 months abroad (15 ECTS) for research activities (not necessarily consecutive). Additional requirements may depend on the type of scholarship awarded to the student.

Specifically, PNRR scholarships require at least 6 months (30 ECTS) of study and research at foreign universities and research centers.

Research stays abroad entitle students to a scholarship increase (extended to non-funded Ph.D. students as well) equal to 50% of the regular scholarship amount.

The Ph.D. student must obtain authorization for departure from the Ph.D. Academic Board by submitting a request to the Ph.D. Coordinator and providing the necessary information (host institution and reference supervisor, activities aligned with the Ph.D. program, period, country, etc.).

To receive the scholarship increase, the student must submit an attendance certificate signed by the foreign supervisor to the Postgraduate Office, indicating the specific period spent abroad. This form can be submitted during the stay (e.g., at the end of each month) or upon its completion.

In addition to the attendance certificate, Ph.D. students may also request the title of “Doctor Europaeus” or complete the entire research stay through a cotutelle agreement.

The official language of the Ph.D. program is English, and the study plan includes courses for language improvement (C1 level).

Foreign professors are invited to offer courses and seminars, for example, as part of the International School on IoT and the International School.

Doctor Europaeus Certificate

The Doctor Europaeus certificate is an additional qualification to the Ph.D. degree, issued at a national level. It is not an academic title with international recognition, nor a title awarded by international institutions.

The requirements to request the Doctor Europaeus certificate are:

1. Two positive evaluations of the thesis by two reviewers from universities in two European countries other than the country where the thesis will be defended;

2. At least one member of the final examination committee must be from a university in a European country other than the country where the thesis will be defended;

3. Thesis defense in one of the official languages of the European Union, other than the language of the country where the thesis is defended;

4. A research stay of at least 3 months, even if non-consecutive, in a European country other than the student’s home country.

To initiate the Doctor Europaeus procedure, Ph.D. students must submit a formal request before applying for the final examination, attaching the favorable opinion of the Ph.D. Academic Board, which undertakes to endorse compliance with the above conditions.

Cotutelle Ph.D.

The Ph.D. program in Computer Science promotes thesis cotutelle both for enrolled students (outgoing) and for international students enrolled in other Ph.D. programs (incoming).

Each Ph.D. student, in collaboration with their supervisor, may promote a cotutelle agreement with other universities and/or foreign institutions, aimed at obtaining a joint degree or a dual degree.

The Department of Computer Science has numerous cooperation agreements with foreign universities, within which it is possible to activate a cotutelle agreement.

The cotutelle Ph.D. generally involves alternating research periods in the institutions of the two countries under the supervision of two advisors, with a final examination attended by a committee composed of members from both countries (or at both institutions).

For further details, please contact your supervisor, and for administrative information, consult the Postgraduate Office.

Information on the procedure for the cotutelle agreement and the draft agreement can be found on the Ph.D. cotutelle page of the International section of the website.

The list of cotutelle agreements can be consulted here.

Erasmus Mobility for Study or Traineeship

Ph.D. students may apply for scholarships to participate in Erasmus mobility for study or traineeship.

The Department of Computer Science has numerous study mobility agreements with prestigious European universities (e.g., Université du Luxembourg, University of Zurich, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) and traineeship mobility agreements with leading companies (e.g., RedHat) and institutions. The list of universities, institutions, and companies with mobility agreements is available on the Erasmus+ agreements page.

The call for study mobility is typically published in December of the year preceding the mobility period. The host university must have an Erasmus study mobility agreement with the Department of Computer Science for Ph.D students (III cycle).

The traineeship mobility call is usually published twice a year (in January and June). The traineeship may be conducted at an institution with an Erasmus traineeship agreement with the Department or at a host institution willing to accept the trainee.

It is recommended to consult the Announcements section of the International website.

Additional Information

Information regarding active collaborations and international Erasmus agreements is available on the International page of the Department of Computer Science.

General information can also be found on the university's international page: Unisa International.