The programme

Overview

Vision: The PhD course in European and International Law aims is a period of study and research aimed at training European lawyers both attentive to contemporary law in its evolution and to legal comparison, diachronic and synchronic.
Training in research with an international dimension and in the use of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary tools is one of the key features of the course. 
Such an advanced programme enables PhD students to enhance their legal preparation and, at the same time, to develop the ability to tackle complex legal issues, identifying the most appropriate solutions, also using innovative methodologies. 

Training objectives: The PhD course aims to train a jurist with up-to-date and wide-ranging preparation in national, European, and international law, able to face the complexity of contemporary law. In this perspective, doctoral students are encouraged to develop their individual skills in law and to undertake innovative and multidisciplinary research. Particular attention is also paid to improving the ability to understand and manage, from a legal point of view, the social, economic, and technological changes characterising today's society (such as mass migrations, environmental deterioration, conflicts and crises, artificial intelligence, etc.).

Training and research project: PhD students' training activities involve both lessons and research. 
Lessons are divided between the PhD course in European and International Legal Sciences and the Doctoral School of the University of Verona. The PhD offers lectures and seminars, also multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, organised in the main EU languages (Italian, French, English, German, Spanish and Portuguese). Lectures are delivered both by professors of the Department of Law and by highly qualified Italian and foreign external lecturers (visiting researchers, scholars, professors). On the other hand, the Doctoral School offers transdisciplinary lessons, according to ministerial provisions (further training in languages, IT, statistics, library resources, copyright and other topics related to the organisation and management of research).
The research activity mainly involves the writing of the doctoral thesis, in which the students develop their research project under the guidance of the Supervisor and Co-Supervisor. In order to develop the ability to disseminate research results and public speaking, respectively, doctoral students will publish further scientific work (case and comment, journal articles, volume chapters), and participate, also as speakers, in seminars and conferences. Doctoral students may also carry out tutoring activities, within the limit of 40 hours per academic year. Due to the international vocation of the course, PhD students are required to spend a research period abroad of at least 6 months and up to 12 months, thus having the opportunity to visit foreign universities and to further enhance their training thanks to highly qualifying scientific experiences. 
Lessons and research activities (with the relevant ECTS) are published in the 'General Guidelines’ of the course. 

Professional profiles and employability: At the end of the course, those who have acquired the PhD can choose the most varied careers, both in the public and private sectors, not only by practising traditional legal careers but also by accessing chief executive roles in agencies and public bodies in general, as well as in private companies as corporate lawyers. From this perspective, the pursuit of the academic career, an outlet that is in any case privileged, is not the only option allowed but is part of a wide range of possible options, i.e.:

  1. academic career at University or other research centres (public or private) in Italy and abroad;
  2. legal professions: legal practice, judiciary, notary, domestic and international arbitration;
  3. legal activity in public administrations and private companies;
  4. diplomatic career;
  5. international cooperation with non-profit organisations or with public and private international organisations.

List of existing international agreements: In order to enrich the education of PhD students, the course maintains academic and scientific collaboration with the following foreign universities:

  • Faculty of Law of the University of Regensburg (y.y. 2024-2029);
  • Faculty of Law of the University of Bayreuth (y.y. 2020-2025);
  • Faculty of Law and Political and Social Sciences (DSPS) of the University Sorbonne Paris Nord (USPN);
  • Faculty of Law of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (2024-2028);
  • Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of the Universidad Abierta Interamericana (2024-2029).

Research infrastructure and services available to PhD students: The Department of Law provides doctoral students with shared workspaces for study. Students have also access to the following library facilities of the University's Humanistic-Economic-Legal Pole:

  1. Library "G. Zanotto", Department of Law
  2. The European Documentation Centre - C.D.E. Library
  3. Economics Library "Santa Marta"
  4. Central Library “Arturo Frinzi"


Faculty Board of PhD in European and International Law

Coordinator
Omodei Sale' Riccardo

Type of body
PhD committee

Department
Scienze Giuridiche

Records and documents present in the year:

QA Board of PhD in European and International Law

Coordinator
Omodei Sale' Riccardo

Type of body
Quality Assurance Board

Department
Scienze Giuridiche

Tasks

Further information on MYUNIVR


Records and documents present in the year:

The Italian University system

schema_qualita

First-cycle degrees: Bachelor’s degree programme

First-cycle degrees are aimed at enabling students to achieve a command of general scientific methods and content, and to acquire specific professional knowledge.
Admission requirements: secondary school diploma after completing 13 years of study in total and passing the relevant State examination, or equivalent foreign qualification; admission may be subject to further assessment.
Duration: three years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 180 CFU; doing an internship and preparing a dissertation/thesis may also be required. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree, graduates may continue their studies by enrolling in a Master’s degree or other second-cycle degree programmes and courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree (Laurea), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore”.

Second-cycle degrees: Master’s degree

Second-cycle degrees aim to provide students with an advanced training and knowledge to take on highly-skilled roles.
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree, or a foreign equivalent qualification; curricular admission requirements for each course may vary depending on each University.
Duration: two years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 120 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”. Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees
Some courses (Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, Architecture and Building Engineering-Architecture, Law, Primary Education) are offered as Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees (Corsi di Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico).
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent foreign qualification; admission is subject to passing an admission test.
Duration: five years (six years and 360 CFU for Medicine and Surgery, and Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics).
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 300 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis. Upon completion of a Single-cycle degree, graduates may continue their studies by applying for a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca) or other third-cycle courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”.

Third-cycle degrees

PhD programmes: these courses enable students to gain reliable methodologies for advanced scientific research through innovative methodologies and new technologies, and generally include internships abroad and lab activities at research laboratories. Graduates wishing to apply for a PhD programme must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition; PhD programmes have a minimum duration of three years. In order to complete the programme, students must produce a research thesis/dissertation and present it at a final examination.
Academic title: upon completion of a PhD programme, students are awarded the title of “Dottore di ricerca”, or “PhD”.
Postgraduate specialisation courses: these are third-cycle courses aimed at enabling students to develop advanced knowledge and highly-specialised skills, such as in the medical, clinical and surgical fields. To be admitted to these courses, applicants must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition. Postgraduate specialisation courses may last from two (120 CFU) to 6 years (360 CFU) depending on the type. Academic title: upon completion of this programme, graduates are awarded a “Diploma di Specializzazione”.

Professional Master’s programme

1st-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di primo livello”.
2nd-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di secondo livello”.

Other useful things

Crediti Formativi Universitari (CFU/ECTS credits): Italian university courses are based on the CFU system. 1 CFU is equal to 25 hours of study. The average annual academic workload for a full-time student is generally assumed to be 60 CFU. CFU and ECTS credits serve the same purpose and generally have the same value.
Degree class: Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes that have the same learning objectives and activities are grouped into “degree classes". The educational content of each programme is set autonomously by each university; however, universities are required to include certain educational activities (and the corresponding number of CFU credits) set at the national level. These requirements are established in relation to each degree class. Degrees in the same class have the same legal value.
Double/Joint degrees: the Italian universities may establish degree programmes in partnership with other Italian or foreign universities. Upon completion of these courses, graduates are awarded a joint or double/multiple degree, one from each Partner University.

Partnerships

Academic and scientific partnerships are currently running with Italian and international universities/research institutions in order to enrich the education path of Ph.D. students.

Documents

Title Info File
File pdf UniVr - Bayreuth pdf, it, 5138 KB, 10/04/24
File pdf UniVr - Regensburg pdf, it, 4914 KB, 10/04/24
File pdf UniVr - UAI pdf, it, 300 KB, 10/04/24
File pdf UniVr - UFMG pdf, it, 320 KB, 10/04/24
File pdf UniVr - USPN pdf, it, 3596 KB, 10/04/24