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PhD in Development Studies

Program Structure

The cycle of studies leading to the PhD in Development Studies corresponds to 180 ECTS and has a normal duration of 6 curricular semesters, integrating:

  • A specialization course, consisting of an organized set of curricular units called the PhD Course (60 ECTS);
  • A work component oriented towards the final work and corresponding to the elaboration of an original Thesis, or equivalent work, its discussion and approval (120 ECTS).

As an alternative to the preparation of the Thesis, it can be considered as equivalent work, which will also be subject to discussion and approval: the compilation of three research papers, duly within the framework of a coherent and relevant set of research works already accepted for publication in journals with selection committees of recognized international merit.

Study Plan

Scientific areas: Development Studies (ED), Economics (EC), Political Science (CP), History (H), Sociology (S), Geography (G), Agriculture/Rural Studies/Ecology (AG), Sustainability (SUST), Anthropology (ANT) and Other Social Sciences (OUT).

Course Units Scientific Area Semester ECTS
Desenvolvimento: Conceitos e Teorias ED, EC, G, SUST 1st Semester 12.5
Desenvolvimento: Desafios I EC, CP, H, S, G, AG, SUST, ANT 1st Semester 7.5
Metodologias de Investigação I ED, EC, CP, H, S, G, AG, ANT 1st Semester 5
Projeto de Tese I ED 1st Semester 5
Desenvolvimento: Desafios II EC, H, S, G, AG, SUST, ANT 1st Semester 7.5
Metodologias de Investigação II ED, EC, H, S, G, AG, ANT 2nd Semester 5
Projeto de Tese II ED 2nd Semester 7.5
Seminários de Estudos de Desenvolvimento ED 2nd Semester 5
Elective Unit
Unidade Curricular optativa		 OUT 2nd Semester 5

Course Units Scientific Area Semester ECTS
Seminário de Acompanhamento I ED Annual 10
Thesis
Tese		 ED Annual 50

Course Units Scientific Area Semester ECTS
Seminário de Acompanhamento II ED Annual 10
Thesis
Tese		 ED Annual 50

To ensure the PhD program in Development Studies remains aligned with the rapid changes occurring in economic, environmental, geopolitical, and social contexts that shape the understanding and practice of Development, the Scientific Committee is planning to introduce innovative reforms to the current syllabus in the upcoming school year. However, these changes will not alter the program's core nature, which is grounded in an interdisciplinary perspective that offers an integrated approach to development and sustainability issues in contemporary societies.