Adaptation to the European Higher Education Area
In line with the progress and requirements set out in the Bologna Process, this programme has opted for a diversified learning format. The research training phase involves course work and directed activities to ensure that PhD students acquire the skills and abilities necessary to complete their doctoral thesis.

During the second phase, PhD candidates complete their thesis under the guidance of a participating programme professor. In accordance with the characteristics and abilities of each student, ESADE Law School (URL) intends the thesis to be a research project, characterised by rigour and excellence, which will complete PhD students' legal studies with particular emphasis on their future professional career.

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A personalised programme
ESADE Law School (URL) has designed this PhD programme to offer personalised support to PhD students, the protagonists of the research process which culminates with the drafting and defence of the doctoral thesis. This will replace the classroom-based approach required in other models. From the start of the programme, each student will have a personal tutor who will guide and assist them in all aspects of their PhD activities. Being an inter-university PhD programme, students also have the personal support and guidance of the entire faculty team involved in the programme.

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An inter-university programme
The PhD programme in the Fundamentals of Law, Economic Law and Business Law is included within the lines of the European Higher Education Area, and has been organised as an inter-university programme with the participation of ESADE Law School (URL), Universidad de Deusto Faculty of Law and Universidad Comillas Faculty of Law (ICADE) in Madrid. As an inter-university programme, various joint efforts are a regular feature of this programme and include faculty exchange programmes, both in the delivery of courses as well as in the direction of PhD theses. Consequently, students benefit from contributions and input of faculty members involved in the PhD programme at the three institutions, and at the end of the programme attain a doctoral degree conferred jointly by the three universities.

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Compatibility with professional practice
The research period of the PhD Programme in Fundamentals of Law, Economic Law and Business Law is not an exclusively full-time degree programme and can be combined simultaneously with PhD students' professional activities. ESADE Law School is convinced that the prime input from professionals participating in the PhD programme is an enriching asset. Therefore, experienced legal professionals should be given access to the programme.

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Attaining the European PhD qualification
The programme includes the possibility of attaining the European PhD qualification. Prerequisites for this qualification are that participants should conduct research at a foreign university in a European Union (EU) member state, and that two experts from EU member state university or research institutions participate in the evaluation of their theses.

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