Dottorato di ricerca

The dottorato di ricerca (research doctorate) is the highest Italian academic degree, the equivalent of a Ph.D.

The term dottore is frequently used in Italy to refer to any person with a university Laurea: thus, a person with a Laurea Magistrale uses the title "dottore magistrale" and a person with a Laurea uses the title of "dottore". Those unfamiliar with the Italian university system or the Italian use of titles should note that a "dottore" or "dottoressa" in an Italian context does not necessarily hold a Ph.D. Holders of the dottorato acquire the title of dottore di ricerca ("doctor of research"), also abbreviated to "Dott. Ric." or "Ph.D."

The dottorato is a relatively recent addition to the Italian academic landscape, having been instituted in 1980.

According to the Bologna Process, Italy fits the framework since the adoption, in 1999, of the so-called 3+2 system. The first degree is the Laurea that can be achieved after three years of studies. Selected students can then complete their studies in the following step: two additional years of specialization which leads to the Laurea Magistrale.

After 1999, the Laurea corresponds to a Bachelor's Degree while the "Laurea Magistrale" corresponds to a Master's Degree. Only the Laurea Magistrale grants access to third cycle programmes (Post-MA degrees, Doctorates or Specializing schools), that last 2 to 5 years (usually completing a PhD takes 3 years). However, it is now established that there is just a unique five-year degree Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico (Single cycle master's degree) for programmes such as Law (Facoltà di Giurisprudenza), Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti) and Music (Conservatorio di Musica). The title for MA/MSc/MFA/MD/MJur/MEd graduate students is dottore (abbreviation in dott./dott.ssa or dr., meaning Doctor). This title is not to be confused with the PhD and Post-MA graduates, whose title is Dottore di Ricerca (Research Doctor or Philosophy Doctor).

The Italian Master's Degree should not be confused with Italian "Masters" that are one-year specialistic courses which guarantee a more practical education but do not give access to further levels of studies (they can be considered similar to Postagraduate diplomas).

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