Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Vila Real, Portugal

DEGREE TYPE

PhD

DURATION

3 years

LANGUAGES

Portuguese

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

Oct 2025

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Key Summary

About: The PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering provides advanced study and research in specialized areas of electrical and computer engineering.

This program emphasizes innovation and critical thinking, encouraging students to tackle complex engineering problems and contribute to advancements in technology.

Candidates will engage in research that combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

Career Outcomes: Graduates of this program can pursue careers in various sectors, including academia, research institutions, government agencies, and tech companies.

Potential roles include research scientist, electrical engineer, computer systems analyst, and project manager in technology firms.

The program equips students with the skills necessary for leadership positions and innovation in their fields.

The Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering (or Electrical and Computer Engineering, EEC) is a research oriented program (research). Its purpose is to advance knowledge in the areas of Electrical and Computer Engineering and to equip students with exceptional ability to undertake advanced studies and original research. The Ph.D. in EEC aims to empower students for a research career and / or teaching in industry, research institutions, universities and government. The program should also instill in each student a proficiency for innovation, manifesting a fundamental advancement of knowledge and enabling graduates to integrate in their education and experience the major challenges of the technological professions. The program focuses on cutting-edge technology issues that go beyond the limits of Computer Engineering, Robotics, Microelectronics, Signal Processing, and Digital Communications.

The research environment is composed of the Department of Engineering of UTAD and the following research institutes

INESC TEC - Institute of Systems Engineering and Computers, Technology and Science

CITAB - Center for Research and Technology in Agri-Environmental and Biological Sciences

INESC P&D Brasil – (awaiting protocol)

Obtaining the Degree

The PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering is awarded to the student who:

Completes successfully the subjects according to the organization of the course, obtaining 60 ECTS;
Obtains approval for the Research Plan (Thesis Planning and Programming), presented at the end of the first year (usually in July - in the 2017/2008 academic year, July 12, 2018);
Submit and approve the Thesis, as a result of the Research Plan previously accepted.

Thesis Submission

The thesis must be submitted in English (or in Portuguese, in the cases accepted by the Scientific Council) before the end of the 4 years of PhD.

A provisional version of the thesis will be evaluated in public defense by a jury and amendments may be stipulated. The diploma is granted only after the delivery of a final and corrected version of the thesis.