A doctorate is the highest academic degree in existence. The concept of doctorate degrees has changed over the past few years, such that it is no longer perceived merely as the pathway to continue an academic career. In fact, new standards regulating doctoral studies attempt to provide incentive for doctors to join the job market, since they are professionals par excellence in creating and sharing R+D+i. Thus, the intent is that those who reach this level of education be able to play an essential role at all institutions involved in innovation and research, both public and private.

The University of the Basque Country has a wide selection of doctoral education, encompassing 67 doctorate programmes spanning all areas of knowledge. Said Doctorate Programmes fall under the UPV/EHU Doctoral School, which is in charge of managing and coordinating them and a broad variety of cross-cutting training activities in which doctorate students may voluntarily participate.

This quick guide provides the main steps necessary for students, from when their interest in conducting a doctoral thesis is first sparked, to its completion. The guide includes a few links of interest and is provided in two different formats: one in table format, and the other in flow-chart format.