The doctorate is the highest academic qualification that can be awarded by any university and its aim is to provide students with advanced training in research techniques.
Doctoral studies are organised through PhD programmes that carry out a training plan which consists of a series of training activities aimed at acquiring competences and skills, and which concludes with the preparation and defence of the doctoral thesis, an original piece of research work that completes the student’s training as a researcher. Its presentation and defence lead to the title of doctor being awarded and qualify the researcher to work independently in the field of R+D+i.
The title of DOCTOR level is level 4 of the MECES (Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education), which corresponds to level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework. Successful completion of doctoral studies entitles the holder to the title of Doctor, with the name that appears in the RUCT.
Doctoral students have the option of undertaking their PhD studies on a full-time or part-time basis. The duration of doctoral studies is set at three years full-time or five years part-time (subject to prior authorisation by the academic committee). Said duration commences from the date of first enrolment in the doctoral programme and concludes on the date the thesis is deposited. If the thesis is deposited within this period, RD99/2011 considers the possibility of extensions authorised by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.
| Dedication | Duration | Extension | Exceptional Extension |
| Full-time | 3 years* | + 1 year | + 1 year |
| Part-time | 5 years* | + 2 years | + 1 year |
* To be calculated from the date of first enrolment in the doctoral programme to the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited.
For PhD students who commenced their doctoral studies as of 19 July 2023, the duration of their doctoral studies will be that established in Royal Decree 576/2023 of 4 July, which amends Royal Decree 99/2011 of 28 January.
The doctoral programmes offer a number of training activities which do not need to be structured in ECTS credits, such as courses, seminars, participation in conferences or stays at other research centres. The type of activities to be carried out, their nature (optional or compulsory) and the number of hours are detailed in the report of each programme.
Training activities are classified into two types:
- Transversal training activities, organised by the Doctoral School of the University of Valladolid
- Specific training activities, organised by each doctoral programme
The training activities carried out by the doctoral student are recorded in the el Doctoral Student Activity Document (DAD). This DAD -together with the Research Plan (PlanInv)-, are subject to an annual report from the tutor and the thesis supervisors and are evaluated by the academic committee.
A positive evaluation is a prerequisite for continuing on the doctoral programme. Should the evaluation point out faults, the PhD student will be evaluated again within six months, for which purpose a new research plan must be drawn up. If the second evaluation reports unaddressed faults, the PhD student will be permanently withdrawn from the programme.
Once enrolled in a doctoral programme, the PhD student has three or five years (full-time or part-time, respectively) to carry out their research training, which will conclude with the writing and defence of their doctoral thesis. To this end, they will have a tutor and a thesis supervisor/s who undertake to supervise the doctoral period.
A research plan, which is reviewable annually, must be drawn up. The tutor and supervisor(s) issue a report on this plan and it is evaluated by the corresponding academic committee.
However, it is important to take into account that, during the years of enrolment in PhD studies, not only must research work be carried out but also that a series of activities must be undertaken to be trained as a researcher.
Moreover, doctoral students should be aware that their training is subject to a time limit, in accordance with the rules set out in the corresponding section.