The intended learning outcomes of the PhD program in Social Sciences are delineated below. Students and Graduates of our PhD should be in position to:
1. Understand the dynamics and reasons of development and change in order to focus on current and future needs and demands in respect to their domain of expertise in Social Sciences;
2. Propose and develop new knowledge by systematic research activity focused on the main issues in Social Sciences;
3. Use analytical and critical thinking under a framework of a fruitful dialogue and cooperation in order to address challenges related to Social Work;
4. Indicate skills on research and on knowledge acquisition in order to be productive members of their respective research community;
5. Have positive attitudes about the continuous changes on research methods, research tools, the use of technology and the rapid explosion and spreading of new knowledge;
6. Propose, design, implement and evaluate innovative programs employing new methods and approaches in the domain of their expertise;
7. Communicate the results of their research work and to publish them in refereed scientific journals and conference proceedings;
8. Present and successfully defend the outcomes of their research work;
9. Communicate the results of their research work and to publish them in refereed scientific journals and conference proceedings;
10. Exhibit transferable professional skills, such as communication and presentation skills, team-working, leadership, self-direction, time management and organization, as well as ethical and commercial awareness, necessary for a successful career as a researcher and/or for employment in a senior and leading capacity in a relevant area of industry.
11. Present and discuss research findings in both national and international contexts and to contribute on a dialogue with the academic community and society.

Graduates of the PhD program are able to work in various sectors, organizations and businesses related to education and training of different disciplines, fields and specializations. Most graduates of the program want to continue with an academic / research career or they want to become stakeholders in Social Sciences.

Admission Criteria
Application Form: Click here to fill in online and download (pdf)

Admission to the doctoral program is done after the announcement of doctoral positions by the Department, followed by an application by the interested applicant. Eligible applicants must hold a university degree, Bachelor’s or Master’s, granted by an institution recognized in the country where it operates. Applicants who do not hold their first degree at the time of application, but will hold such a degree before the commencement of the graduate program, are also eligible to apply but must submit a letter from their University’s Registrar verifying that they are indeed eligible to graduate. The decision on their admission does not become official until the degree has been successfully produced.

Each application for admission should include:
- A completed application form.
- A Curriculum Vitae indicating the student’s education, academic and research experience, any publications, awards, etc.
- A Research Statement. Candidates with prior graduate studies are required to submit a brief research statement (up to 600 words) stating the area in which they are interested in conducting research. Candidates with no prior graduate level studies do not need to submit a research statement.
- At least two letters of recommendation from academic or professional advisors.
- Certified copies of all degrees and transcripts.
- Copies of any other supporting material, such as exams, honours, awards, etc.
- Proof of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL (minimum grade 90), the IELTS (minimum grade 6.5), or other equivalent language examinations. Candidates, who have completed an undergraduate or graduate program where the instruction language was English, satisfy the proof of English language proficiency requirement.

Admission’s Evaluation Procedure
All applications for admission are evaluated by the Doctoral Program Committee. All applicants satisfying the admissions requirements are invited for a personal interview by the Doctoral Program Committee. The criteria for the evaluation of the candidates are the following:
- Academic background
- Research background
- Recommendation letters
- Additional qualifications
- Personal Interview

The program is structured in eight semesters of 30 ECTS credits each. The first two semesters (60 ECTS) correspond to graduate Masters level courses. The minimum duration of the program is (a) six semesters (180 ECTS) for students enrolled in the program who hold a relevant Masters level qualification, and (b) eight semesters (240 ECTS) for students who do not hold a relevant Masters level qualification. Students with prior graduate level studies may apply for a transfer credit evaluation.

A doctoral student is awarded the doctoral title after a successful completion of the requirements specified in the program structure. These requirements include the successful completion of the following:

1. Graduate Masters Level Courses
2. Doctoral Level Courses
3. Comprehensive Exam
4. Graduate Seminar Courses
5. Defence of Research Proposal
6. Paper Publications
7. Doctoral Dissertation Submission
8. Doctoral Dissertation Defence