The Graduate School of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore invites pre-applications to its PhD in Economics and Finance. The length of the PhD Program is four years, starting in the second half of October 2024. The precise starting date of the Program will be announced in due course.

We offer at least four fellowships (for a period of four years) to the highest ranked applicants. Our fellowships pay a grant of € 16.243 (gross income) per year. The monthly allowance can be increased up to 50% for our PhD students visiting academic or scientific institutions abroad. The number of scholarships may increase if sponsorships on specific research projects become available. There will also be allowances (research funds) for short-period mobility (1.624 € each year). 

Information concerning the program can be found at http://scuoledidottorato.unicatt.it/defap.

Selection procedure
 

There is a two-stage procedure, which takes place via the University website, as detailed below.

Stage 1 (pre-application). Candidates can apply to Stage 1 by uploading the required information and documents, as explained below. Candidates – who are supposed to have a solid background in Economics – will receive a feedback on their academic qualifications. No application fee is due at Stage 1.

The deadline for sending a pre-application is: April, 24, 2024, h. 18:00 CET

Each Candidate will be informed via e-mail by May, 10, 2024.

Stage 2 (application). The official Call for Applications (Bando di Concorso) is expected to be published in the Italian Official Journal (Gazzetta Ufficiale) in late Spring of 2024. It will also be posted on the University and DEFAP websites.

Candidates participating in Stage 2 will be required to pay a fee (expected amount is € 100). Payment will require the use of a credit card. Details about payment methods will be available in the official Call for Applications.

All the documents uploaded at Stage 1 are considered valid for Stage 2.

How to submit a pre-application
 

Candidates can submit a pre-application by logging in at https://iscrizioni.unicatt.it/iscrizioni/. All required documents, except for the recommendation letters (see below), must be uploaded at this link. 

Pre-application requirements 
 

Pre-applications will be accepted from applicants of all ages and nationalities who hold:

• an Italian degree (Diploma di laurea quadriennale, laurea specialistica, laurea magistrale) or an Italian degree obtained according to the regulations existing before the implementation of the Ministerial Decree of 3 November, 1999, n. 509 and its subsequent amendments and supplements;
   
• a foreign academic qualification already recognized as equivalent by academic authorities, or recognized in accordance with inter-university agreements of co-operation and mobility;
   
• a foreign academic qualification that has not yet been recognized as equivalent to an Italian degree, provided that the Candidate includes all the necessary documents to reach a decision regarding equivalence, for the only purpose of admission to the PhD program.
   

Pre-applications may also be submitted by Candidates of all nationalities who have not graduated yet but expect to receive their degree by October 31.

Qualifications and documents
 

The following documents must be submitted along with the complete pre-application form to the PhD Program:

• a Curriculum Vitae;
   
• a copy of an identification document;
   
• a passport-size photo;
   
• a research statement (max. 15.000 characters, spaces included) in which the Candidate outlines her/his research interests, and provides any other useful information;
   
• for graduates, a certificate of an Italian or foreign degree (details above), with a transcript including the final overall grade granted and the complete list of courses attended and grades received;
   
• if qualification is pending, a certificate of enrollment to an Italian degree programs or to a foreign academic program, with a transcript including courses attended and grades received;
   
• two confidential letters of recommendation, to be sent directly by the recommenders, from their professional or institutional e-mail address, to the following e-mail address: defap@unicatt.it. Note that Candidates are not allowed to directly send the recommendation letters, note also that it is not possible to upload them on the website.
  
  If the Recommender is not using a professional or institutional e-mail address, she/he should explain the reason (e.g. retirement) for using a personal e-mail.
   

The following material can strengthen a pre-application but is not mandatory:

• certifications of further qualifications with transcripts of courses attended and grades received; 
   
• publications (of any type) that the Candidate wishes to submit, with a maximum of four;
   
• GMAT or GRE;
   
• a certification of English proficiency such as: Anglia Examination England, Bulats, Business English Certificate, Certificate Advance in English, Certificate Proficiency in English, First Certificate in English, IELTS, ISE (I-II-III-IV), PTE Academic, PTE General, Preliminary English Test, TOEFL IBT, TOEIC Listening and Reading, TOEIC Speaking and Writing.

Each applicant is required to clearly mention in her/his CV a Skype contact to allow for a telephone interview if deemed necessary.

The Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore does not take any responsibility in the case of mailing delays or document losses due to incorrect or incomplete handling by Candidates. Information concerning: composition of the Selection Committee, selection procedure, scholarships, rights and duties of doctoral students, awarding of degrees, acts and documents written in a foreign language, and any other relevant issue are contained in the official Call for Applications, which will be published in the Italian Official Journal (Gazzetta Ufficiale) and uploaded to the PhD website in due time.

For further information on the pre-application and application procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us at: defap@unicatt.it.