About doctoral studies in Romania

Doctoral studies at “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu are part of a long-standing tradition in high performance education and scientific research. Studies at LBUS provide access to an academic environment that welcomes diversity of opinions and offers access to European programs in the fields of postgraduate studies, and the opportunity to work in high-performance research teams, under the guidance of our scientific advisors for the 14 fields of advanced research.

Doctoral studies represent the third level of studies offered by „Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, aiming to develop competent human resources in scientific research achievement, capable of high-skilled labor market insertion.

They refer to the formation through research for research, development and innovation, and represent a professional research experience completed with the defense of PhD thesis and achievement of PhD title. Doctoral studies allow the acquisition of a 8-level qualification within the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF) and National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (CNCIS).

Doctoral studies are regulated by the Education Law no. 1/2011 and the Government Decision no. 681/2011 regarding the approval of the Code for Doctoral Studies, where it is stipulated that the PhD studies are organized as full-time studies, according to art.140, line 4 in the Law of National Education no 1/2011. The length of a typical PhD program is of 3 (three) years. As an exception, within medical higher education, according to art.174, line 3 in the Law of National Education no 1/2011, the length of doctoral studies is of 4 (four) years. 

During the doctoral studies, the progress of the PhD student is monitored by an advisory committee of three members from „Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, with PhD degree and at least the position of lecturer or third degree scientific researcher. 

The doctoral program consists of: 

a) The training program based on advanced academic studies

The training program based on advanced academic studies is meant to enrich the PhD student’s knowledge and serves to smooth the implementation of the individual program of scientific research / artistic creation as well as to offer the tools for acquiring the advanced competencies specific to the Doctoral Studies.  The program consists of activities that take place in institutionalized forms of study, through lectures, seminars, laboratories, etc. The training program based on advanced academic studies may result in acquiring a number of transferable credits established by the intern regulations of the university. In the case of academic programs in the research fields of medicine, the advanced studies may totalize 60 credits. 

b) The individual program of scientific research / artistic creation

The individual program of scientific research / artistic creation has as main objective the elaboration of the PhD thesis and implies the PhD students participation in at least one scientific / artistic projects established by the scientific coordinator. To ensure a coherent scientific path, the PhD student will defend once every 12 months an oral presentation of the scientific progress in front of the scientific coordinator and the advisory committee. 

The completion of the doctoral studies is carried out through the public defense of the PhD thesis. In the case of the scientific doctoral studies, the PhD thesis must be the result of individual scientific research and it must contain original results in the field of scientific knowledge. The PhD thesis is held in a public hearing in front of an evaluation committee made up of specialists in the research field, from the country or from abroad.

Following the public defense of the PhD thesis, the evaluation committee will propose to award or not the title of „Doctor”. 

After the public defense, all the documents regarding the completion of the doctoral studies will be send to the National Council for Attestation of University Titles, Diplomas and Certificates in Bucharest for the validation of the scientific title of „Doctor”. 

After the official validation of the title through ministerial order, the PhD student will receive a diploma issued by „Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu.