Doctoral Degrees

Psychology

School of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences

Ispa – Instituto Universitário offers, at the 3rd cycle level, a Doctoral Programme in Psychology that encompasses the main areas of specialisation in this field of knowledge:

Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Educational Psychology
Social Psychology
Organisational Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Health Psychology
Community Psychology
Psychoanalysis
Psychobiology

About the Programme

This programme, marked by a high level of internationalisation, adheres to demanding standards of academic and scientific quality, with students’ research projects embedded within the Institute’s R&D units. The teaching staff includes professors from Ispa, as well as visiting professors from other national and international universities with which the Institute maintains cooperative links, both in teaching and in research.

Course Duration

The Doctoral Study Cycle has a duration of 3 academic years (6 semesters), corresponding to a total of 180 ECTS credits.

Programme Objectives

To develop an in-depth understanding of, and to reflect critically on:

theories and models of Psychology, particularly within a chosen area of specialisation;
methods of Psychology;
data-analysis techniques.
To analyse critically, evaluate, and synthesise new and complex ideas.
To conceive, design, adapt, and conduct scientific research in Psychology, particularly within a chosen area of specialisation, in accordance with the ethical principles governing research.
To communicate clearly—both to peers, the wider academic community, and society at large—the conclusions of specialised work, as well as the underlying theoretical and methodological assumptions.
To promote scientific, social, and cultural progress in academic and other settings.

Admission

1 – The following may apply to Ispa’s Doctoral Programmes:

a) holders of a master’s degree or legally equivalent qualification;
b) holders of a bachelor’s degree who possess an especially relevant academic or scientific curriculum recognised by Ispa’s Scientific Council as attesting the ability to successfully complete this study cycle;
c) holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum recognised by Ispa’s Scientific Council as attesting the ability to successfully complete this study cycle.

2 – The recognition referred to in points b) and c) of paragraph 1 grants access only to the study cycle leading to the doctoral degree, and does not confer equivalence to, or recognition of, a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Please consult the regulation here.