University of Trento, The School of International Studies is now accepting applications for its multidisciplinary PhD programme in Int'l Studies

The School of International Studies is now accepting applications for its 3-year multidisciplinary PhD programme in International Studies. The application deadline is Tuesday March 31, 2009.

The doctorate in International Studies is the flagship programme of the School of International Studies. It brings together leading research departments (Economics; History, Modern Languages and Humanities; Human and Social Studies; Legal Studies; Sociology and Social Research) to construct an interdisciplinary research degree.

The programme's mission is to produce PhDs able to compete on the international academic job market and to follow careers in international intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations. The doctorate has received start-up funding as part of the accord between the governments of Italy and Germany to promote links between the two countries' university systems. Access to the programme is open to citizens of any country in possession of a graduate degree in disciplines related to International Studies (Economics; History, Modern Languages and Humanities; Law, Political Science and Sociology).

The three-year doctoral programme focuses on the study of International Law, International Economics and International Politics. It will be composed of at least 200 hours of structured coursework; a period of study outside Italy, and a dissertation, written under the supervision of faculty members and an external reader nominated by the School. All coursework will be in English and will be taught by members of the university’s multi-national faculty. The Programme receives funding from the University of Trento, and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trento e Rovereto. The following departments contribute to the PhD Programme in International Studies:

Department of Economics

Department of Legal Sciences

Department of Philological and historical Studies

Department of Sociology and Social Research

Department of Human and Social Sciences

Admission Requirements

Applications will be accepted from candidates, regardless of gender, age and nationality, who have graduated with excellent marks from a masters course, a four year Italian laurea, or an equivalent programme in one of the disciplines comprising international studies (economics, history, law, political science, political philosophy, sociology). Candidates from other disciplinary backgrounds may also apply, provided that their research project clearly falls within the field of international studies.

Students who intend to carry out research in the following areas are particulalrly encouraged to apply: European and International Politics; European, Comparative and International Law; Open Economy Macroeconomics, International Trade and International Financial History.

Language Requirements

The programme is conducted entirely in English and an excellent working knowledge of that language, including a proven writing ability, is an indispensable requirement for admission. Foreign students are required to obtain a working knowledge of the Italian language.

Applications

Applications must include :

- a photocopy of the applicant’s identity card or passport;
- a curriculum vitae in English;
- a research proposal (max 5 pages) in English in one of the areas studied in the International Studies Programme. In the case of candidates who wish to be considered also for the reserved scholarship, the above research proposal should be on the specific topic “Politics of European and Regional Integration;
- Applicants who hold a foreign degree should attach their degree certificate(s) and grade transcript(s) both in the original language and in English,
- certificate(s) attesting the knowledge of the English language at least C1 level (e.g. CAE, BEC Higher, ESOL Expert + spoken English; ISE III, IELTS 7 minimum paper 6.5; TOEFL PBT minimum grade 640 plus TSE minimum grade 55 plus TWE minimum grade 5.5; TOEFL CBT minimum score 260 plus TSE minimum grade 5.5; TOEFL IBT minimum score 110; LCCIEB English for Business/Commerce level 4), in case English is not the candidate’s mother tongue;Applications may include:
- letters of recommendation in English or Italian from experts in the doctoral research areas. The letters must be received in sealed envelopes and must be sent directly by the referees to the following address: Prof. Luigi Bonatti, School of International Studies, University of Trento, Via Verdi 8/10 – I-38100 Trento, Italy;
- a list of publications;
- copies of (selected) publications;
- any other qualifications such as international examinations (GRE or equivalent);
- any other documents that attest to the research skills and abilities of the candidate.

Selection Procedure

The admissions process consists of two separate stages. In the first stage, the admission committee produces a short-list of candidates based on the evaluation of the application materials. In the second stage, thirty-minute interviews will be conducted with the short-listed candidates. Candidates who do not reside in Italy may avail themselves of the possibility to conduct the interview by telephone. After the conclusion of the interviews the admission committee will publish the final ranking. The interview stage will normally take place in early May and successful candidates will be notified in short order.

Scholarships

The programme offers a limited number of full scholarships renewable for three years subject to satisfactory academic appraisal. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, meaning that they will be offered to the top candidates of the final ranking. One scholarship will be reserved for applicants with a research project in the area of the Politics of European and Regional Integration.Tuition FeesThe PhD programme currently does not charge tuition fees. Admitted students however are required to pay an annual student tax to the amount of roughly €120,00.

Residence Requirement

Studying for a PhD programme is a full-time commitment and we expect all our students to take up residence in the area. Students re required to be resident in Trento for 24 months during the 3-year programme. A limited number of subsidised apartments will be made available to foreign students. An orientation day will be held in early October 2008 and coursework will start towards the beginning of that month.

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