A PhD is no longer just about research. It is a training programme that develops advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as time and resource management, autonomy, specialised communication and interdisciplinary collaboration—skills that are essential in today’s professional landscape, both in academia and in industry.
Research the Future: PhD Open Day at UniBO is the first Open Day organised by the University of Bologna dedicated entirely to doctoral studies. The event, which will take place online on Thursday 12 March from 10.00 to 17.00, will provide a comprehensive overview of the PhD experience, aiming to dispel common misconceptions and highlight how the highest level of university education can open the door to careers beyond academia, while also offering guidance on how to navigate the choice of a doctoral programme. The event will be followed by dedicated sessions presenting the individual PhD programmes offered by the University of Bologna.
The University of Bologna’s programmes have recently been redesigned to address the challenges of the present and the future. The academic offer for the 2026-2027 academic year includes 51 doctoral programmes across all disciplinary fields, structured around specific cultural and professional profiles and designed to integrate academic excellence with transferable skills.
“A PhD programme does not simply train experts in a specific field of knowledge, but also develops essential skills for managing complex projects with methodological rigour, creativity and an innovative mindset,” says Professor Marco Carricato, Delegate for PhD Programme Degrees at the University of Bologna. “It teaches students to continually update their skills, to work in interdisciplinary contexts and to deal with rapidly evolving scenarios. These qualities are increasingly sought after not only in academic research but also by companies and public and private organisations, and they can significantly broaden career opportunities in today’s professional environment.”
The international dimension is a central component of the PhD experience at the University of Bologna. Research networks, institutional collaborations and mobility opportunities allow doctoral candidates to engage with different contexts, enhancing both the quality of research and personal development. The international PhD community is open, multicultural and interdisciplinary.
The event will open with five general orientation sessions:
• The PhD today: advanced training and professional opportunities (In Italian)
• Presentation of the International PhD College
• La dimensione internazionale del Dottorato (in Italian)
• Borse di studio e finanziamenti (in Italian)
• PhD admission: how to apply - Q&A (in Italian and English)
These sessions will be followed by meetings dedicated to specific disciplinary areas, allowing participants to explore in greater depth the characteristics and prospects of individual doctoral programmes.
The event will be held in Italian and partly in English and is open to graduates and graduating students from the University of Bologna and other universities, subject to registration.
Further information and registration
