The Academic Committee is responsible for evaluating those applications that fit the recommended admissions profile and requirements, and putting forward proposals for admission. Students will be prioritized according to the criteria specified below. Admission criteria and procedures for part-time students are the same as those for full-time students. Successful applicants must exceed the minimum score established under Point 2 (academic transcripts), and obtain no less than 30 points after aggregating the whole set of criteria.Point 1A. Alongside the admission application, candidates must also attach their résumé or CV, and a letter of intent identifying (where applicable) the tutor and/or director of their doctoral thesis project, as well as the area of research and topic they intend to pursue. However, the Academic Committee of each program will always be free to assign a director and/or tutor other than the one proposed by the applicant (Art. 9.3 of the Regulations governing doctorate programs).

Point 1B: A proposal explaining the line of research to be conducted as part of the PhD program, reasons supporting this particular choice, and scientific goals must be submitted. Once submitted, the proposal will be evaluated in terms of its adequacy to the doctoral program´s areas of interest, scientific value, originality, and specificity. If necessary, the Academic Committee and/or delegated program faculty may invite the applicant for a personal interview to further discuss the content of the proposal. This section carries a maximum score of 20 points.
Point 2. Academic transcripts (up to 40 points; a minimum score of 15 points is mandatory in order to meet this requirement): the score is obtained by multiplying the candidate´s grade point average by 10, based on the following 1-to-4 scale: 1. = Pass; 2 = Good; 3= Very Good; 4 = Excellent.
– The grade point average reflected in the academic transcripts will be calculated taking into account all of the applicant´s prior coursework, including all credits and courses completed beyond the PhD program requisites.
The score of every course credit will then be calculated and added, i.e. each grade (based on a 1-4 scale) will be multiplied by the number of credits assigned to each subject, from both Undergraduate and Master´s degrees; finally, the total will be divided by the total number of credits completed (Undergraduate and Master´s coursework).
– For students who have not completed their Master´s degree as of the date of application, a grade equivalent to the Master´s degree average will be obtained based on the in their current academic transcripts.
– For students who have not completed a Master’s degree, but have completed PhD courses in programs to be discontinued in accordance to Royal Decree 778/98, April 30, and have received a DEA (Diploma of Advanced Studies), a grade equivalent to the Master’s degree average will be obtained based on the grades obtained in the PhD courses mentioned above.
– The grade average obtained in degrees from two or more universities must contain all coursework and credits completed, along with their respective grades. Accepted coursework will be equivalent to the point score of the grade assigned by the student´s previous academic institution; grades for adjusted coursework will be calculated according to the grade assigned by the student´s previous academic institution. Credits without a grade or obtained in the course of training activities not included in the curriculum, will not be accepted for the purpose of calculating the grade average, in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 1044/2003, August 1, and Royal Decree 1125/2003, September 5.
– For coursework partially or fully completed at a foreign, EHEA accredited institution, the grade average will be based on the full Undergraduate (or equivalent degree) course load. In the event that the number of Undergraduate credits is less than 240 ECTS credits, the grade average will be calculated based on the courses mentioned above, plus all completed Master´s degree credits, which must amount to a minimum of 300 credits, overall.
– For coursework partially or fully completed at a foreign, non-EHEA accredited institution, the grade will be based on all coursework carried out in completion of the degree, following the equivalency rules of the Spanish university system.
In the case of grade averages for courses taken at a foreign institution, regardless of its accreditation status, the provisions under General Directorate of Universities Resolution July 16, 2008, establishing the criteria applicable to the calculation of grade averages for students with fully accredited foreign university degrees, will be applied.

Point 3. English proficiency (up to 10 points). The highest score will be given to students who have completed Level C1 or above, according to the table of equivalences shown here: http://www.uspceu.es/pages/idiomas/usp-idiomas-cursos-equivalencias.html
and to students who are either native English speakers or conducted their studies in English. Students who have reached an accredited Level B2 proficiency, as per the previous equivalency table, or are deemed suitable by members of the Academic Committee and/or delegated PhD program faculty following a successful interview, will receive a score of 5 points.

Point 4. Up to 10 additional points may be earned according to the following distinctions: Scientific production (authorship of published scientific-technical papers, participation in congresses), Erasmus, SICUE-Séneca or similar placements, specialization courses attended outside official university teaching, and prior professional experience in the doctoral program scope of interest. Up to two letters of recommendation written by university lecturers, researchers and, exceptionally, professionals who have had a relationship with the candidate and have participated in their academic or professional training may also be taken into account. The Academic Committee may communicate directly with the providers of these references in order to obtain more information about the candidate.
The Academic Committee, where applicable, will deem if the applicant must carry out any specific additional training in order to conform to the Admissions Profile.

Admission procedures for students with special educational needs due to disability.
In the case of students with special educational needs due to disability, the Academic Committee of each program will issue a pre-admission report evaluating the possibility of a modified curriculum, courses and/or alternative studies in accordance to the principles of equal opportunity, without prejudice to the competencies of the universities´ Equal Opportunity programs.

• Academic Secretary: Ana Montero Bravo [email protected]
• Quality Manager: Esther Carrera Puerta [email protected]
• CEINDO Quality Unit Head: Laura Barba López [email protected]
• Coordinator:  Beatriz de Pascual-Teresa Fernández [email protected]
• Secretary: Antonia García Fernández [email protected]
• Representatives students and Professors of the Doctoral Programme
• Representatives of CEINDO Administration and Services Staff (ASS)