The European Doctorate, or European label for a doctoral degree, is neither a supranational academic title nor a title awarded by international institutions, but it adds value to a Doctoral degree inasmuch as it certifies the fulfillment of four requirements, i.e. joint supervision, an international Board of Examiners, multilingualism and international mobility. It is in the form of a label added to the title of “Dottore di Ricerca”, provided that the following requirements are fulfilled:
- At least two referees from higher education institutions of European countries (other than the one where the thesis is defended) must have reviewed the thesis;
- At least one member of the Board of Examiners should come from a higher education institution in a European country other than the one where the thesis is defended;
- A part of the defence must take place in one of the EU official languages, other than the Italian;
- The thesis must have been prepared in part subsequent to a research period of at least three months spent in another European country.
- Doctoral students who are eligible for the European label for their doctoral degree should apply to their Academic Board. When applying for the final examination,specifying that they also apply for the label of Doctor Europæus.