Deadline:
May 15, 2026
Location(s)
Italy
Pisa, Florence
Overview
In the national and international university scene, the Scuola Normale Superiore distinguishes itself as one of the most accredited places where to develop solid skills in the field of scientific research.
Details
Students, researchers and professors constitute a highly selected community, characterized by constant exchange and confrontation, by openness and strict dialogue with the academic and research world. Laboratories and research groups, a dedicated teaching staff, one of the largest open-shelf libraries in Europe, offer cutting-edge tools to young scholars who choose the Scuola to complete their training.
The ordinary course of the Scuola Normale Superiore corresponds to the university offer of the three-year degree and the master's degree.
It is accessed through a highly selective competition consisting of written and oral tests: neither the final grade mark, nor the degree mark, nor other previous qualifications count for evaluation purposes.
Once become a student, the studente normalista commits himself to follow the teachings inside the Normale and the corresponding courses of study of the University of Pisa. He/she therefore faces two parallel and complementary training courses, one within the Scuola, the other at the University, with the obligation to maintain an average annual grade of at least 27, with no vote below 24.
The PhD courses are open to all Italian and foreign citizens and offer unique opportunities and conditions for scientific growth. All the places in competition are covered by scholarships, registration and attendance are completely free.
Every PhD student also has dedicated resources for research and study trips in Italy and abroad.
Phd Programmes
- Classics
- Philosophy
- Astrochemistry
- Data Science
- Methods and Models for Molecular Science
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Nanoscience
- Computational Methods and Mathematical Models for Sciences and Finance
- Transnational Governance
- Political science and sociology
- History
- Art History
- Italian Studies and Modern Philology
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
All students admitted to our doctoral programmes receive scholarships, which include tuition fees and a grant for board and accommodation. The scholarship is guaranteed to students who maintain a high academic level and make significant progress in their thesis work.
All students will be entitled to additional funding for their research activity, even abroad.
For each postgraduate course, a place is reserved for candidates who have obtained a valid qualification, for access to the competition, in foreign universities.
Prerequisites
The following candidates, regardless of their citizenship, can apply:
- those who have a master's degree or an equivalent non-Italian qualification, attained no earlier than five years prior to the deadline for the first session of the call, that is, 19 February 2026;
- those who will obtain a master's degree in Italy or an equivalent qualification in a non-Italian university by 31 October 2026;
- those who are not in possession of a Ph.D. qualification issued by an Italian or non-italian university, and in any case have not benefited from a scholarship to attend a Ph.D. programme in Italy.
Dates
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
All students admitted to our doctoral programmes receive scholarships, which include tuition fees and a grant for board and accommodation.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
