Duration of doctoral studies

The duration of doctoral studies is a maximum of three years, in full time from the date of formalisation of the first enrolment in studies, to the date of application to the Program Academic Commission, to deposit the doctoral thesis.

However, the programme's Academic Commission can authorise doctoral studies to be carried out part-time. In this case, the studies may have a maximum duration of five years from the date of formalisation of the first tuition in the studies, to the date of application to the Academic Commission of the programme, to deposit the doctoral thesis.

Academic tutelage enrolment will be formalized for each academic year, regardless of the date of first enrolment.

The doctorand can request a single time to amend the dedication regime before the end of the maximum duration and no extension has been authorised, and provided that it is adequately justified. This application must be submitted and resolved before the academic year begins, attaching a new commitment document signed by all those involved in the research work.

For the purposes of the provisions of the regulation on the duration of studies, the following equivalence of change of dedication regime is established: 1 academic year in full time is equivalent to 2 part-time academic courses.

1. In the case of full-time studies, if the three-year period has passed, the application for authorisation to deposit the thesis has not been submitted, the academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension for a further year, which may exceptionally be extended by another year. Maximum doctoral duration 5 years =3+1+1.

2. In the case of part-time studies, the extension may be authorised for two more years, which, exceptionally, may be extended by another year. Maximum doctoral duration 8 years=5+2+1.

In the case of illness or legally assimilable situations, doctoral students will have to communicate the temporary leave in studies to the academic committee of the programme. They will do so through the Secretariat of the Faculty, through the l form, accompanied by a medical report issued by the Catalan Health Service, or by the equivalent body. The period of sick leave will be accredited in your file and will be deducted from the permanence calculation established by the regulation.

For personal reasons, doctoral students will be able to apply for temporary leave in their studies for a maximum term of an academic year, which can be extended for a further year. The procedure (also corresponding to the possible extension) will be carried out through the College Secretariat, using this  form. The application will be submitted before the period for which the leave is requested begins and, if so for the entire academic year, before the enrolment is completed. The period of leave will be accredited in your file and will be deducted from the permanence calculation established by the regulation.

During the periods of the exceptional extension of the studies, it will not be possible to authorise leave on personal grounds, except for the accreditation of serious and exceptional causes identified by the Academic Committee of the programme.

The final leave makes it impossible for the doctorand to continue in the program where he was registered or to close his file. The doctorand will not be able to apply for admission to the same program until at least three academic courses have passed. However, the doctorand can apply for admission and admission for the following year in another doctoral programme at the University of Barcelona.

These are the reasons for the final drop in the programme:

• The doctorand's communication on the definitive abandonment of the programme.
• Extinguishment of the periods of stay in the studies and, if applicable, the corresponding extensions.
• Denying the requested extensions, in accordance with Article 26 of this regulation.
• An academic year without having enrolled in the doctoral programme or having applied for temporary leave.
• When approval of the research plan has not been requested within the deadline set.
• When the research plan has not been accepted by the Academic Commission, in accordance with Articles 33 and 34 of this Regulation.
• When the documents established by the PhD Academic Commission have not been submitted within the established timeframe for the annual evaluation and follow-up of the research plan.
• Not having passed the training supplements in the first academic year.