PhD in
Linguistics
This PhD programme is offered jointly by the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and the University of Verona.
The PhD programme, offered jointly with the University of Verona, offers specializations in all aspects of linguistic analysis (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, lexicon) as well as in the following research areas: sociolinguistics, dialogue analysis, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, language acquisition (both typical and atypical), language teaching, Germanic and Romance philology, and language policy. The programme offers an International Doctoral Track, in cooperation with the University of Marburg (Germany), which allows candidates to obtain both an Italian and a German PhD.
The Bolzano-Verona programme collaborates with private research institutes such as Eurac Research in corpus linguistics and language technologies as well as with institutions active in the protection and promotion of minority languages. PhD projects can be proposed for all topics in linguistics compatible with the interests and expertise of members of the PhD board.
The PhD programme focuses on multilingualism, language contact and dialectology, especially but not exclusively with respect to German and the Romance languages. These research topics are shared between the partner universities Bolzano and Verona.
Languages of instruction are English (main language), German and Italian.
At a glance
Duration of the programme: 3 years
Courses will be taught in German, Italian and English
Available positions: 4 with scholarship
Scholarships awarded per year 28,000 €
Campus: Brixen-Bressanone
Programme structure
The goal of the PhD programme is to develop professionals who have mastered the contents and methods of their field of specialization at a high scientific level. Graduates will have competence in all domains of linguistic analysis sufficient for teaching at the introductory university level. They will also be able to extend their expertise to new fields of specialization.
PhD coursework is offered at winter and summer schools as well as in specialized seminars and interdisciplinary courses.
Instruction is in English, German and Italian and takes place at the Brixen-Bressanone, Bozen-Bolzano and Verona campuses.
Each PhD student is assigned two supervisors who support their research project. PhD students may also acquire additional research methods developed by members of the PhD board in research projects (PRIN, DFG, SNF, PNRR), often in collaboration with local institutions.
Research Activities Abroad
In the interest of strengthening national and international scientific relations, the PhD programme encourages students to advance their projects by spending research time at other universities in Europe or overseas. To arrange research periods abroad, the PhD programme works through existing networks such as Erasmus partnerships at the PhD level and academic partnerships with universities such as Marburg (Germany) or Tromsø (Norway). On request, new contacts can be established in the form of cotutelle agreements.
People
PhD Programme Coordinator: Prof. Birgit Alber (photo)
Student representative in the Lecturer's Committee: Francesca Vitali
Highlights
Study at unibz
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Coming to unibz from Abroad
All you need to know to come to unibz as an international student or exchange student
Partner universities and institutions
The PhD programme has a bilateral agreement with the University of Marburg which simultaneously confers an Italian and a German PhD degree upon successful completion. PhD candidates selected for this International Doctoral Trackspend at least 6 months at the partner university.
Stakeholders:
- ARLEF Agenzia Regionale per la Lingua Friulana, Udine - sponsor of a PhD fellowship for the 40th cycle
- Region Trentino-Südtirol, Bozen-Bolzano, Trient-Trento - sponsor of a PhD fellowship for the 41st cycle
- Eurac Research, Bozen - sponsor of a PhD fellowship for the 41st cycle
- Bersntoler Kulturinstitut/Istituto Culturale Mòcheno, Palai en Bersntol/Palù del Fersina, Trient-Trento
- Istitut Ladin 'Micurà de Rü', St. Martin in Thurn, Bozen-Bolzano
- Istitut Cultural Ladin 'Majon di Fascegn', San Giovanni di Fassa, Trient-Trento
- Istitut Cultural Ladin 'Cesa de Jan’, Colle Santa Lucia, Belluno
- Casa Editrice e centro di formazione Erickson, Trient-Trento
- Biblioteca Capitolare, Verona
Academic stakeholders:
These are universities and research institutes interested in recruiting researchers at the postdoc level, principally those with which the members of the PhD board have active scientific relationships: the universities of Marburg, Trier, München (LMU), Köln, Konstanz, Stuttgart and Göttingen (Germany) Tromsø (Norway) Paris (France) and the State University of New York (U.S.A.)
Application and Admission
You can find key information to apply and gain admission to this PhD Programme. Detailed information will be published in May 2026 below in the general and specific calls (PDF).
In order to gain admission to the PhD programme, you will have to demonstrate competence in the languages of the PhD programme and be successful in a public competition.
2nd Call
Publication of the call: 06/05/2026
Application deadline: by 10/06/2026 (by noon local time)
Admission interviews: to be defined
Publication of ranking lists: by 10/07/2026
Confirmation of the PhD position - 2nd Call
Applicants with scholarship: by 23/07/2026 (by noon local time)
Applicants without scholarship: from 24/07 until 07/08/2026 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: Starting from 24/07 until 30/10/2026 (by noon local time)
Total Positions: 4
2nd Call
Positions with scholarship: 4 (1 position reserved for the International Doctoral Track established in cooperation with the University of Marburg)
In order to apply to this programme you need one of the following qualifications:
- a postgraduate degree as per Italian Ministerial Decree no. 509/1999
- a postgraduate degree as per Italian Ministerial Decree no. 270/2004
- a degree of the former Italian university system, or an equivalent degree obtained abroad (university level education of at least five years).
If you have not yet achieved one of the above mentioned titles within the enrolment deadline, you will be admitted conditionally to the selection procedure and you must produce the degree certificate within the enrolment’s deadline. If not, your application is considered null and void.
Prerequisites for admission to the doctoral programmes are an appropriate educational and/or cultural background and/or experience in the research. Qualifications in the field of interest of the PhD programme are preferred.
The Commission reserves the right to decide and to assess whether or not previous qualifications are suitable for admission purposes.
Language skills for English and for either German or Italian are evaluated during the admission interview. The language skills must be adequate for carrying out the research proposal submitted by the applicant
Applications to the selection procedure can be submitted from the date of the announcement of the public competition.
Each application is subject to a payment for administrative expenses (50 €). This registration fee cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
In order to apply, you need to follow these steps:
- Create an account at Application Portal and upload in electronic format a passport-size colour photo and a valid ID (passport or identity card, front/back);
- In the application portal, select the PhD programme and pay the registration fee of 50 € (see instructions in the portal);
- Fill in the online form in the same portal and upload the additional required documents (see the specific attachments to the call for each PhD programme).
Completing the application online is the only way to submit the application. Applications will not be considered if:
- incomplete or without compulsory entry qualifications/requirements;
- sent by e-mail.
It is necessary to upload the required documentation for each PhD programme chosen in the portal. A traffic light system indicates complete/incomplete documentation (missing documents will be marked in red).
Only documents uploaded by the deadline will be evaluated. It is advisable to apply online well in advance and to check the portal regularly to take note of any notes concerning missing and/or incorrect documents.
After the deadline, it will no longer be possible to complete/correct incomplete applications.
The University is not liable if the portal is overcharged, due to the net or to the software itself.
To create an application in the portal you need to pay the following fees:
- Administrative fees: € 50
To confirm your study place, you need to log in to the application portal and pay the following fees using one of the payment methods indicated on the portal by the specified deadline.
- One-off registration fee: € 200, including a € 16 revenue stamp
If you fail to meet this deadline, you will automatically lose your place. Once you have confirmed your place by paying the instalment, there is no refund of tuition fees unless you are a non-EU applicant living abroad and you have not received the necessary documents from the Italian authorities in your country.
There are no other fees to be paid.
2nd Call
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
For more information contact us by phone at +39 0471 012800 or send us an e-mail: phd@unibz.it
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