Full-time enrolment

Doctoral studies have a maximum duration of three years of full-time study, beginning on 31 December of the academic year in which the doctoral student first registers in the programme and ending when the thesis is submitted.

If, after that three-year period, the thesis has not been submitted, the Academic Committee in charge of the programme may authorise a one-year extension, which in exceptional cases may be extended for another year, in accordance with the conditions established in the corresponding doctoral programme.

Part-time enrolment

The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme can authorise part-time doctoral studies. In this case, the studies will have a duration of five years, beginning when doctoral students are admitted to the programme and ending when they submit their thesis.

If, after that five-year period, the thesis has not been submitted, the Academic Committee in charge of the programme may authorise a two-year extension, which in exceptional cases may be extended for another year, in accordance with the conditions established in the corresponding doctoral programme.

Common regulations

For the purpose of calculating the periods mentioned previously, sick leaves, maternity leaves or leaves for any other reason included in the current regulations will not be taken into consideration, provided the corresponding leave applications have been submitted.

Doctoral students may request a temporary leave from the programme for a maximum of one year, with the possibility of extending it for another year. This request must be justified and submitted to the academic committee in charge of the programme, which will decide whether or not to grant the leave.

In addition, remember that every year the Academic Committee of the doctoral programme will review the research plan and the activities document of each doctoral student, together with any reports submitted for this purpose by the doctoral student and the thesis supervisor(s), according to the models established by the Managing Committee of the School for Doctoral Studies. A positive evaluation is required to continue in the programme. If it is negative, and justified, the doctoral student will be re-evaluated in six months, and for that purpose must develop a new research plan. If, at the end of that six-month period, the evaluation is once again negative, the doctoral student will be expelled from the programme, and will have to wait at least one academic year before submitting another application for admission to a doctoral programme of the University of Girona.

For doctoral students who have begun doctoral studies governed by previous regulations

Doctoral students who, on 11 February 2011, have begun doctoral studies governed by previous regulations will only be subject to the those regulatory provisions for the doctorate and the granting of the degree. As indicated in Royal Decree 99/2011, they will be subject to the regulations regarding the examining board and the defence and evaluation of the thesis established in that Royal Decree and in this regulation.

Doctoral students who, on 11 February 2011, were already studying for their doctorate have until11 February 2016 to present and defend their thesis. If, at the end of that period, they have not defended it, they will be expelled from the programme and will have to wait at least one academic year before submitting another application for admission to a doctoral programme of the University of Girona.