p>The study plan includes theoretical and scientific work, data collection and analysis (3,625 h), training in research methodologies (500h), as well as practical work related to transversal topics, such as scientific writing (375h), aiming at the development of an original research project leading to a doctoral degree. Students are integrated into Research groups and develop their thesis in the context of one of the four defined areas. The work is developed under a team's supervision of three researchers, one from each partner university. In the first semester, the student focuses on developing a proposal and submitting it for approval at the end of that period.

Mobility

The programme includes an international research internship (mobility) under the following conditions:

• Suppose a student enrols through Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Portugal) or Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull (Spain): In that case, this student will spend 12 months at Nottingham Trent University (UK);
• If a student enrols through Nottingham Trent University (United Kingdom) – this student spends 12 months in one or both of our partner universities - Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Portugal) / Universitat Ramon Llull (Spain).

The mobility period is decided based on the development of the student's work.
Additionally, students can have another mobility period (between 1 and 6 months) depending on the needs of their project.

Monitoring and evaluation

All the activities developed by students are recorded in the Doctoral Student's Activity Document (DAD), an electronic document managed by the coordinating university (Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull), accessible to all students and supervisors. In addition, the student's progress is monitored every six months.

Presentation and defence of the Thesis

The Ph.D. thesis consists of a compendium of scientific publications or a doctoral dissertation of 60,000-80,000 words, depending on the regulations of the host university. The submitted manuscript will be presented and evaluated in public examinations according to the host university’s regulations and the country’s legislation. The examining board at the Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull and the Universidade Católica Portuguesa includes an element from Nottingham Trent University. After the successful completion of the public examinations, the three universities recognized the doctoral degree, and the host university awards a diploma on behalf of the three institutions.