Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)

Doctoral Training at UCSC

UCSC offers structured PhD programmes with a focus on applied research in agriculture and food systems. International applicants are admitted on equal terms with domestic candidates through a competitive selection process.

Overview

🏛️ Institution acronym	UCSC
🏷️ Institution name (original)	Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
🌍 Country	Italy
🎓 Fields of study	Agricultural sciences, Food sciences, Plant sciences, Sustainable development, Plant breeding
💶 Monthly stipend	1300 EUR/month
🔗 Official website	https://www.unicatt.it/
📫 Additional contacts	For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore via email at [email protected] or call . Physical Address: Largo A. Gemelli 1 Milan, 20123 Italy

Stipend affordability

Stipend on this programme: €1,300/month (gross)

Estimated stipend vs student living costs in Italy.

Apply for Scholarship

Open PhD Vacancies

🎯 Vacancy 1

PhD in Agricultural Microbiology – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Country: Italy | Deadline: 2026-07-30 | Funding: Not funded by a EU programme — partial

The Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore maintains a Graduate School offering doctoral training across multiple disciplines. Its Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences supports research lines in sustainable production systems, food quality assessment and environmental management. International candidates may apply through the annual call published on the institutional portal, with positions funded by university scholarships or external grants. The Piacenza campus hosts field facilities used for ongoing projects on crop systems and soil health.

Fields of Study

The Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences runs doctoral activities in four main areas relevant to agriculture and sustainability.

Agricultural Sciences

Research covers crop management, soil fertility and precision agriculture techniques developed at the Piacenza experimental farm.

Food Sciences

Projects examine food processing, safety protocols and quality evaluation using analytical laboratories on campus.

Plant Sciences

Work focuses on plant physiology, disease resistance and variety evaluation under Mediterranean conditions.

Sustainable Development

Interdisciplinary studies address climate adaptation, resource efficiency and rural policy within European frameworks.

‹

›

These fields integrate laboratory work with field trials and policy analysis.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

Admission to UCSC doctoral programmes follows rules set by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and specific faculty requirements.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must hold a second-cycle degree (Laurea Magistrale or equivalent) with a final mark of at least 105/110 or an international equivalent verified through the online application portal.

Curriculum Vitae and Publications

A detailed CV including any peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations or research experience must be uploaded in PDF format.

Reference Letters

Two letters from academic supervisors or employers are required, submitted directly by the referees through the application system.

PhD Scholarship at UCSC

University-funded positions provide a gross monthly stipend of approximately 1 300 EUR, paid in twelve instalments, plus limited additional support for mobility periods abroad.

Research Budget

Each doctoral student receives an annual research allocation of around 1 500 EUR for travel, consumables and conference participation, managed through the faculty administrative office.

Application Procedure

Applications are submitted exclusively through the online platform during the annual call window.

Online Registration: Create an account at https://iscrizioni.unicatt.it/ and complete the personal data section.
Document Upload: Upload degree certificates, CV, reference contacts and any language certificates if required by the specific programme.
Payment of Fee: Pay the non-refundable application fee of 50 EUR via the secure payment gateway before the call closes.
Evaluation and Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview scheduled between May and July.

For further information contact the PhD Office at [email protected] or +39 02 7234 5801. Deadlines are published each January on the Graduate School website.

Application Deadlines

The 2025 call opens in January 2025 and closes on 7 April 2025 at 13:00 CET. Results are published by mid-July 2025. Always verify exact dates on the official call for applications.

Official Website

For more information, please visit the official website: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)

Contact Information for PhD Admissions and Inquiries

For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore via email at [email protected] or call .

Physical Address:
Largo A. Gemelli 1
Milan, 20123
Italy

Further Information

International Student Services

The International Student Services office assists incoming doctoral candidates with visa procedures, residence permits and housing. Details are available at international.unicatt.it.

Career Prospects

Graduates frequently continue in academic positions, research institutes or industry roles in the agro-food sector across Europe.

Resource Links

Current calls and regulations: dottorati.unicatt.it

PhD scholarship programs and External Funding Opportunities for PhD Scholarships in Agriculture

Italian Government Scholarships for International Students

Offered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for non-EU candidates. Monthly stipend of 900 EUR plus tuition waiver. Applications open each year via esteri.it.

UCSC Internal Scholarships

Approximately 15 university-funded positions per year across agricultural disciplines. Gross monthly amount 1 300 EUR. Selection based on academic record and interview.

University Location