The PhD Fast Track program, promoted by the Técnico Doctoral School, is an initiative aimed at students with high academic performance who wish to begin their PhD studies during their Master's degree, within a 5-year (10-semester) period, combining both study cycles.

Applications are open until September, and students from any higher education institution, national or international, who are completing their Bachelor's degree this year or are enrolled in the 1st year of the Master's program at Técnico, can apply. Top students are those who have achieved an A-Level (corresponding to the best 10% of the course in the ECTS grading scale) or a grade of 17/20 in their Bachelor's degree.

What are the benefits of the PhD Fast Track?

Students can benefit from:

• Involvement in the PhD program while attending the Master's degree.
• Taking PhD-level courses during the Master's program.
• Developing a Master's thesis aligned with the PhD research topic.
• Automatic enrollment in the PhD program.

What programs are available?

Over 30 programs are available, including in the areas of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications and Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Energy and Management Engineering.

How to apply?

Applications must be submitted through the form available on the Técnico Doctoral School website, with the following information:

• Identification of the student and their Bachelor's degree.
• Identification of the desired Master's program, if not already enrolled in the second cycle of studies.
• Two references that can be contacted (preferably Bachelor's degree professors).
• Motivation letter and identification of the desired PhD program.

In addition to these details, a brief CV and a copy of the transcript of the Bachelor's degree (either with the final grade or expected final grade if the diploma has not yet been awarded) should be attached.

The Técnico Doctoral School was presented by Professor Leonel de Sousa during the latest edition of the PhD Open Days, and aims to reformulate the doctoral education at Técnico, increasing internships in companies and training in transversal skills such as artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and science communication.