The European Doctorate, or European label for a doctoral degree, is an initiative of the European University Association. It is neither a supranational academic title nor a title awarded by international institutions, but it adds value to a Doctoral degree inasmuch as it certifies the fulfillment of four requirements, i.e. joint supervision, an international Board of Examiners, multilingualism and international mobility. On 20 April 2010, the University Academic Senate decided to start the conferment of the title of Doctor Europaeus as from the Academic Year 2009/2010 in the form of a label added to the title of “Dottore di Ricerca” (Research Doctor), provided that the following requirements are fulfilled:

• At least two referees from higher education institutions of European countries (other than the one where the thesis is defended) must have reviewed the thesis;
• At least one member of the Board of Examiners should come from a higher education institution in a European country other than the one where the thesis is defended;
• A part of the defence must take place in one of the EU official languages, other than the Italian;
• The thesis must have been prepared in part subsequent to a research period of at least one trimester spent in another European country.

Doctoral students who are eligible for the European label for their doctoral degree should apply to their Academic Board. The Academic Board then decides the eligibility of the candidates by 31 December of the second year of attendance. The Academic Board is also responsible for the fulfillment of the four requirements. When applying for the final examination, doctoral students should specify that they also apply for the label of Doctor Europæus.

PERIODS OF RESEARCH IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS - GENERAL INFORMATION - Link