Ph.D. credits

PhD students are required to attain at least 240 credits by participating in research activities, training, and courses throughout their PhD careers

Allocation of PhD credits (240 credits) across research activities, training, and courses to be attained throughout the PhD career:

  • Research activities: 180 credits (75%)
  • Training and courses: 60 credits (25%)

Allocation requirements of PhD credits across training (e.g., seminars, workshops, conferences) and courses throughout the PhD career:

  • Mandatory courses: 24 credits (minimum amount required)
  • Elective courses and seminars: 8 credits (minimum amount required)
  • Seminars/workshops on soft and research-related skills: 6 credits (minimum amount required)
  • Extra-curricular training (e.g., summer/winter schools, methodology courses): 4 credits (minimum amount required)
  • Academic conferences: 4 credits (minimum amount required)
  • Support to departmental research activities, seminars, and dissemination: 4 credits (minimum amount required)
  • Teaching and tutoring: no more than 10 credits (no minimum amount required)

PhD credits for training and courses to be attained each year:

  • By the end of the 1st year: 20 credits (minimum amount required) / 24 credits (recommended amount)
  • By the end of the 2nd year: 40 credits (minimum amount required) / 48 credits (recommended amount)
  • By the end of the 3rd year: 50 credits (minimum amount required) / 54 credits (recommended amount)
  • By the end of the 4th year: 60 credits (minimum amount required) / 60 credits (recommended amount)

PhD credits and total hours of work by PhD students required (i.e., in-class attendance and autonomous work):

  • Mandatory courses (final passing grade required): 1 credit = 25 total hours (5 hours of in-class attendance + 20 hours of autonomous work)
  • Elective courses and seminars (final passing grade or attendance required): 1 credit = 25 total hours (5 hours of in-class attendance + 20 hours of autonomous work)
  • Seminars/workshops on soft and research-related skills: 1 credit = 25 total hours (5 hours of in-class attendance + 20 hours of autonomous work)
  • Extra-curricular training (e.g., summer/winter schools, methodology courses): 1 day = 8 hours (0.33 credits per day of participation)
  • Seminars (with extra autonomous work required): 1 credit = 25 total hours (20 hours of in-class attendance + 5 hours of autonomous work)
  • Seminars (with in-class attendance only): 1 credit = 25 total hours (25 hours of in-class attendance)
  • Academic conferences: 1 day = 8 hours (0.33 credits per day of participation)
  • Support to departmental research activities, seminars, and dissemination: 1 credit = 25 total hours 
  • Teaching and tutoring: 1 credit = 25 total hours