| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Católica Global Ph.D. Programme cultivates legal thought leaders through a two-stage program. In the coursework stage, scholars explore complex research questions and thesis development. The dissertation stage provides tailored research with supervision, encouraging conference presentations and international collaborations. Taught in Lisbon and offered in English, the program aims to equip researchers for careers in academia and legal scholarship.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Global Ph.D. Programme at Católica Global School of Law is designed to cultivate the next generation of legal thought leaders. The program offers a supportive and enriching environment, including engaging seminars and access to prominent legal scholars. The program is four years in duration (full-time) or six years (part-time) and is divided into two stages: a two-semester Ph.D. coursework stage (60 ECTS) and a six-semester dissertation writing stage (180 ECTS). The program is taught in English and is located in Lisbon.
Outline:
The program is structured into two stages:
- Coursework Stage (60 ECTS): This stage prepares doctoral candidates to produce and defend a thesis proposal.
- Research Workshop (10 ECTS): This workshop helps candidates craft and implement a thesis proposal and conduct research relevant to the study of law in a global context (doctrinal, empirical, and interdisciplinary).
- Scientific Debate Forum (10 ECTS): This year-long forum involves multiple sessions where guest scholars present research papers, followed by open discussions. The goal is to expose candidates to cutting-edge scholarship and academic debate. The coursework culminates in a thesis proposal (maximum 80,000 characters) outlining the topic, methodology, literature review, and thesis structure. This proposal is evaluated by a committee including the supervisor and two professors from the school's Scientific Council. Approval moves the candidate to the dissertation stage.
- Dissertation Stage (180 ECTS): This stage is flexible, tailored to individual needs and goals. The candidate and supervisor collaboratively determine the course of study. Candidates submit annual progress reports and are encouraged to meet regularly with their supervisors. They are incentivized to present research at conferences (including Católica's Graduate Forum) and encouraged to pursue research stays abroad, utilizing Católica's partnerships or independent applications (examples include the International Criminal Court, Georgetown University, and the Max Planck Institute). The dissertation (maximum 1,000,000 characters) is publicly defended before a jury appointed by the school's Scientific Council.
Assessment:
The coursework stage culminates in a thesis proposal evaluated by a committee. The dissertation stage involves annual progress reports and a final dissertation defense before a jury.
Teaching:
The program involves seminars, workshops, and a scientific debate forum featuring guest scholars. The program emphasizes a supportive and enriching environment with access to prominent legal scholars.
Careers:
The provided text mentions that the program aims to nurture the next generation of thought leaders in law, implying career paths in academia and legal scholarship.
Other:
The program offers a full-time (4 years) and part-time (6 years) option. The program's location is Lisbon, and it is taught in English. The Católica Research Centre for the Future of Law organizes the Graduate Forum for Ph.D. students to present their work.
The Catholic University of Portugal (Universidade Católica Portuguesa - UCP) is a distinguished private university established in 1967 in Lisbon, Portugal. It holds the unique status of being the first modern Portuguese university not founded by the state but through a concordat between the Portuguese government and the Vatican, placing it under the tutelage of the Catholic Church.
Campuses and Structure:
UCP operates as a university system comprising four regional centers:
- Lisbon: Headquarters and home to several faculties and institutes.
- Porto: Hosts faculties such as Biotechnology and the School of Arts.
- Braga: Includes the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences.
- Viseu: Features departments like Economics, Management, and Social Sciences.
Additionally, UCP has an affiliate institution, the University of Saint Joseph, located in Macau.
Academic Excellence:
UCP offers a wide array of programs across various disciplines, including:
- Business and Economics: Through the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, which has achieved Triple Crown accreditation.
- Human Sciences: The School of Human Sciences offers esteemed programs like the Master of Arts in Communication Science.
- Law: Featuring advanced studies in areas such as International Business Law and Law in a Digital Economy.
Research and Innovation:
The university is home to 15 research units focusing on diverse fields, including biotechnology, health sciences, arts and technologies, and social sciences. These centers contribute significantly to scientific advancements and innovation.
International Recognition:
UCP has been recognized as the top Portuguese university according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings from 2021 to 2023. It serves over 20,000 students, with a substantial number of international students, reflecting its global appeal and commitment to academic excellence.
