Adaptation to the European Higher Education Area
In line with the progress and requirements established by the so-called Bologna Process, a diversified educational approach has been chosen. The Master of Research training phase includes projects and activities that guarantee that PhD students acquire the competencies and skills needed to complete their doctoral thesis.

Once the activities that make up the Master of Research in Legal Science have been successfully completed, the student is awarded the official Master’s Degree university qualification, separate from the PhD qualification. This preparatory research period is a rigorous process that trains the student in the skills and methodologies required for their subsequent research, which culminates in the completion of a doctoral thesis and the awarding of a PhD in Law qualification.

During the second phase, the PhD student prepares their doctoral thesis under the supervision of a professor. In accordance with each student’s characteristics and abilities, the doctoral thesis is intended to be a research paper characterised by rigour and excellence, which completes the PhD student’s legal studies, and influences their future professional career.

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A personalised programme
ESADE Law School (URL) is committed to offering personalised support to students, who are the central figures in the educational process and the research work, which culminates in the preparation and defence of the doctoral thesis. This personalised attention replaces part of the classroom teaching time required by other programmes, ensuring the Master’s programme has the flexibility and methodologies needed to provide the optimal learning environment.

From the start of the programme, each student has a personal tutor who guides and helps them in all aspects of their PhD activities. Students can also count on personalised monitoring and support from the entire faculty team participating in this programme at the three universities.

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An inter-university programme
Both the Master and the PhD programmes are included within the lines of the European Higher Education Area, and are organised as inter-university programmes with the participation of ESADE Law School (URL) and the law schools at Deusto and Pontificia Comillas–Madrid (ICADE) universities. As a result of this inter-university organisation, different joint faculty exchange activities are carried out both for the programmes delivered and for the supervision of doctoral theses. Consequently, students can benefit from the support of all the faculty involved in the programmes at the three universities, and – once the corresponding academic requirements have been fulfilled – can obtain a Master’s or PhD degree, awarded jointly by the three universities.

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Compatibility with professional practice
The Master and the PhD programmes do not require exclusive dedication. They can thus be followed in conjunction with the participant’s paid employment. ESADE Law School is convinced that the contribution of professional experience to research-oriented programmes constitutes a first-class, enriching asset. Therefore, professionals working in the field of law should be allowed to access these programmes.

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Attaining the European PhD qualification
This programme includes the possibility of obtaining the European PhD qualification. In order to be awarded this qualification, the student must spend a period conducting research abroad in another European Union (EU) Member State. Moreover, two experts from EU Member State university or research institutions must take part in the assessment of the student’s thesis.

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