Doctoral Studies

The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest offers 19 doctoral programs for candidates interested in advanced research and innovation across a wide range of engineering and scientific fields.

The doctoral students will benefit from a large and modern research infrastructure which was well developed in the last few years with funds from EU, good examples being the two research advanced centers CAMPUS and PRECIS which accommodate a high number of doctoral students working in a high-scientific environmental level, using advanced techniques for modern end-use applications such as bioprinting for tissue engineering and printing artificial organs, artificial intelligence etc.

Admission is open to both EU students and non-EU students, provided that the eligibility criteria and application requirements are fulfilled.

Each doctoral student is advised by a doctoral supervisor (or even two in cases of cotutelle), and by a guiding committee composed of three members. The PhD student has to present a number of research projects and to publish at least two scientific articles. When finished, the doctoral thesis has to be checked electronically against plagiarism and presented before the doctoral supervisor and the guiding committee. After this, the thesis is officially submitted, the rector nominates a defense committee in which there are at least two members from other universities or research institutes, and there is organised a public defence. The whole procedure is checked by the National Council for University Titles, Diplomas and Certificates, and after the minister awards the doctoral title, the POLITEHNICA Bucharest also issues the doctoral diploma.

Before applying

Make sure you are eligible for doctoral studies

The main rule of eligibility is that you must hold a Master’s degree that is comparable to a Romanian Master’s degree. A foreign degree is, as a rule, considered comparable when it makes you eligible to apply for doctoral studies in the country where you have completed the degree. An important part of eligibility are the language requirements. National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest demands an indication of academic level language skills in either Romanian, English or French for all applicants. Please note that POLITEHNICA Bucharest has a specified list of acceptable ways to prove your language skills: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, DELF, TCF.

The language that you choose to prove your skills in will be marked as the language of your doctoral degree.

Choose a discipline and find the doctoral programme best suited for you

Doctoral education at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest is organized under 19 doctoral schools. By chosing your doctoral programme you will belong to a doctoral school. The boundaries between the programmes are flexible, and you can also take courses offered by other programmes.

Look for supervision

Finding a supervisor is an important step in the application process, and it is a good idea to start the search early – i.e. months before the application process begins. Most doctoral programmes require that you have a supervisor, in some cases even two, when you submit your application.

Prepare your application document

If you do not submit your documents following the instructions, your application may be rejected. Check if there is a country specific requirement for your documents. If there is a country specific requirement in place, you must follow it. Neglecting the requirement may lead to your application being rejected.

Scholarships

At POLITEHNICA Bucharest, admission to doctoral studies does not automatically grant a salary or scholarship. However, candidates may benefit from doctoral scholarships, depending on the number of funded places available in a given year and according to the ranking based on the admission grades obtained. The scholarship amount is 3,700 RON (approx.725 EUR) per month for EU students. For candidates from non-EU countries, the university grants scholarships through the “Excellence Scholarship” programme (see the Methodology for non-EU students).

Dual degree PhD (COTUTELLE)

POLITEHNICA Bucharest encourages and supports doctoral theses in Cotutelle, and has concluded over 20 such partnerships in the last 5 years. The cotutelle addresses both international and Romanian universities and economic partners.