1. Ensure the close articulation of this training cycle with advanced research in this field, namely within the scope of the OBSERVARE unit and its Research Lines, as well as with a transnational research program supported by several foreign Universities in partnership with OBSERVARE-UAL.
2. Provide doctoral students with in-depth intellectual and methodological tools that allow for a better interpretation of international processes;
3. Enable doctoral students to carry out their research work with the utmost rigor, objectivity and critical thinking;
4. Establish a permanent intersection between the political-strategic issue – GEOPOLITICS – and the economic issue – GEOECONOMY – (which aims to be the identity and originality trait of this PhD), also reinforcing this aspect of interdisciplinarity with reflections from other associated sub-areas, from Security Studies to Globalization and Regional Studies;
5. Enabling doctoral students to exercise high-level professions, with emphasis on the career of an international organization employee or university career, but also for senior military or security forces officers and leadership in economic and business internationalization processes.

Article 30

You can apply for the cycle of studies leading to the doctoral degree:

• Holders of a master's degree or legal equivalent;
• Holders of a bachelor's degree with a particularly relevant academic, scientific and professional curriculum;
• Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum attesting to the ability to carry out this cycle of studies.

The recognition referred to in subparagraphs b) and c) of the previous number is the responsibility of the Scientific Council, on a proposal from the Scientific Committee of the Department to which the course belongs, and has, as a result, only access to the cycle of studies leading to the degree of doctor.

Article 31

(Special diet)

Those who meet the conditions for access to the study cycle leading to the doctoral degree may request the presentation of a thesis to the public defense act, without attending the study cycle.

Those who meet the conditions for access to the cycle of studies leading to the doctoral degree may request the replacement of the presentation of a thesis by the compilation, duly framed, of a coherent and relevant set of research works already published in journals with committees of selection of recognized international merit, in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 115/2013, of August 7th.

It is up to the Scientific Council to decide on the applications submitted under the previous numbers, after having received an opinion from the Scientific Committee of the Department responsible for the course.

Article 32

(Candidate for public defense)

The candidates referred to in paragraph 1) of article 31 may request the public defense of the thesis, through an application addressed to the President of the Scientific Council, accompanied by the following documents:

• Application according to the model in Annex IV to this regulation;
• Presentation of the thesis project according to the model in force at UAL, or alternative models that may be approved by the Scientific Council, under the proposal of the
• Scientific Committees of the Departments;
• Letter from the advisor stating that he/she accepts the guidance;
• Certified photocopy of diplomas;
• Curriculum vitae, preferably according to the European model;
• Photocopy of the Identity Card and the taxpayer's card, or citizen's card;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Other elements considered relevant, namely books, parts of books and articles.

The candidates referred to in paragraph 2) of article 31 may request the public defense of the works, through an application addressed to the President of the Scientific Council, accompanied by the following documents:

• Application according to the model in Annex IV to this regulation;
• Certified photocopy of diplomas;
• Curriculum vitae, preferably according to the European model;
• Photocopy of the Identity Card and the taxpayer's card, or citizen's card;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Copy of works compiled for public defense.
• Other elements considered relevant.

The acceptance of the application by the Scientific Council is preceded by an opinion from the Scientific Committee of the Department responsible for the course, which may require the candidate to attend and pass some curricular units of the doctoral course. The decision on the application referred to in paragraph 1) must take place within 30 (thirty) working days following its submission.

The refusal of the application must be duly substantiated.

Required Documentation:

• Application Form
• Certificate(s) of Qualifications (original or certified copy)
• Curriculum vitae
• A photography
• Photocopy of Identity Card/Citizen Card
• Photocopy of the Taxpayer Card

For foreign students, the Certificate of Qualification must be authenticated at the Portuguese consulate in the country where you completed the course.