In order to organize the doctorate as the third cycle of higher education and as a combination between teaching and research activities, in the vision of the Bologna process, the Senate of "Ovidius" University approved the Regulation on the organization and conduct of doctoral studies, drafted in accordance with the National Education Law no.1/2011 and the Code of doctoral studies, approved by H.G. 681/2011.
The doctorate is the higher cycle of university studies, which aims to develop knowledge through original scientific research. Doctoral studies lead to a level 8 qualification in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the National Qualifications Framework. There are two types of doctoral studies: scientific doctorate and professional doctorate.
- The PhD in science is based on creative and advanced scientific research, contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and cognitive abilities. The PhD aims to produce original, internationally relevant scientific knowledge based on scientific methods. The PhD is a prerequisite for a professional career in higher education and research.
- The professional doctorate in the fields of arts or sport aims to produce original knowledge, based on the application of scientific methods and systematic reflection on artistic creations or sports performances of high national and international level, which can constitute a basis for a professional career in higher education and research in the fields of arts and sport.
Doctoral studies are organized by the Institute of Doctoral Studies of the Ovidius University of Constanta (UOC) and are developed only within the framework of the doctoral degree programs offered by the doctoral schools, provisionally authorized or accredited, within the UOC. Doctoral schools are subordinated to the Institute of Doctoral Studies (ISD).
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The duration of the doctoral studies is, as a rule, 3 years, except in the field of health, for which the duration of studies is 4 years, and is between the date of enrolment in doctoral studies and the date of the public defence of the doctoral thesis.
The doctoral studies of the PhD student are planned for a period of 3 years, respectively 4 academic years for the field of health, each year consisting of 2 academic semesters and include:
- a) The training programme based on advanced university studies, completed within the Doctoral School, and consisting of activities developed in institutional study formats, which ensures the training of the doctoral student through didactic-scientific activities (courses, seminars, laboratories, etc.) distributed over 12 weeks, respectively 14 weeks for the health field, and is developed in the first year of the PhD studies. The first year cannot be extended or interrupted.
- b) The individual scientific research/artistic creation programme is organised in the research/artistic field in which the PhD supervisor has worked. The individual programme is planned for the entire period of the PhD studies.
The two components of doctoral studies, the Advanced Graduate Studies Programme and the Individual Scientific Research Programme, are compulsory for the PhD student to complete the doctoral studies.
Doctoral studies end with the public presentation of an original work, called a Doctoral Thesis, which is the result of the research/artistic creation activity developed by the doctoral student during the PhD studies. The doctoral thesis must follow the requirements set by the university regulations.
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1. Under the conditions established by the regulations of the doctoral school, the duration of the doctoral programme may be extended by 1 to 2 years, with the approval of the University Senate, at the proposal of the doctoral supervisor and within the limit of available funds.
2. Doctoral studies may be interrupted for good cause under the conditions laid down in the regulations of the doctoral school. The duration of these studies shall be extended by the cumulative periods of approved interruptions.
The extension discussed in paragraph 1 and the interruption and extension discussed in paragraph 2 shall be established by additional acts to the doctoral studies contract.
If the doctoral student fails to complete the thesis within the deadline set in accordance with the doctoral study contract and any additional documents, the doctoral student has a grace period of maximum 2 years to complete and publicly defend the thesis, exceeding this deadline automatically leads to expulsion.
During the above grace period the doctoral student is not eligible for a doctoral grant.