Applicants should present a research proposal, outlining their chosen theme, which will be evaluated by the scientific committee. Upon acceptance into the programme, the student will be assigned a supervisor, under whose supervision the student will design a detailed research proposal towards the thesis during the first year. The research proposals will form the basis for discussion in the Research Seminar classes.
At the end of the first year of the programme the revised research proposal will be evaluated by a specially appointed committee comprising elements from ISEG, ICS/UL and FCSH/UNL, who may approve the proposal, suggest alterations or recommend that the student discontinue the programme. Upon approval of the research proposal, the thesis proposal will be registered and the supervising professor will be confirmed. The student then has two academic years in which to research and write the thesis, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations governing Doctorate programmes in ISEG.