46 PhD programmes offered by the university

The Theory and History of Architecture programme of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia is designed for architects or graduates in the humanities, archaeology or fine arts who hold a master’s degree in architecture, archaeology or the humanities.

Environmental Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia helps students demonstrate the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity.

Structural Analysis from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia was created to produce doctoral graduates in the field of continuous media mechanics and theory of structures. 

The Materials Science and Engineering programme of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia was recognised with a quality award given by the Spanish Ministry of Education the year the programme was launched, and the award was renewed in the following years.

The main aim of the Aerospace Science and Technology programme of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia is to provide students with training in the sciences and technologies that are most widely applied and useful in the aerospace field.

The Agri-Food Technology and Biotechnology programme of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia was born of the UPC’s earlier programme in Agri-Food Biotechnology and Sustainability.

The doctoral programme in Mechanical Engineering, Fluids and Aeronautics of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) is the result of collaboration between two departments – Mechanical Engineering and Fluid Mechanics – and the Terrassa School of Industrial, Aerospace and Audiovisual Engineering (ESEIAAT). 

Graduates of the doctoral programme in Electric Energy Systems at Polytechnic University of Catalonia will play a key role in RDI at public and private centres and in companies. 

This Nautical and Marine Engineering and Naval Radio-Electronics programme at Polytechnic University of Catalonia aims to train top-level researchers in nautical and marine engineering and naval radio-electronics, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to independently carry out research and innovation activities that enable the advancement and transfer of knowledge in this field.

The Automatic Control, Robotics and Vision programme at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia was established by combining the Advanced Automation and Robotics programme and the Control, Vision and Robotics programme of the Department of Automatic Control (ESAII), both of which had received quality awards from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

At Biomedical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia given the multidisciplinary nature of the scientific field of the programme, there are a wide range of degrees that qualify applicants for admission. 

The Signal Theory and Communications programme of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia is strongly associated with the research topics addressed by the Department. Research is carried out by groups that, while autonomous, do regularly collaborate with groups from other departments and universities.

Construction Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia aims to train students as specialists in the area of structural engineering and construction. 

Optical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia aims to provide training leading to a doctoral degree for Spanish and international students who have completed a university qualification in the field of optics and optometry.  

The Nuclear and Ionising Radiation Engineering programme of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia received the Pathway to Excellence award, and has also been given the Quality Award by the Ministry of Education.

Thermal Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia aims to propose quality third-cycle studies, focused on deepening knowledge of basic and applied subjects that would serve as scientific and technical support in research tasks in the field of thermal mechanical engineering.   

The Computing programme at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia was designed to provide rigorous, competitive training for students wishing to undertake research on topics in the areas of computing covered by the programme. 

Photonics from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia introduces you to the science that studies light and its creation, propagation, manipulation and interaction with matter.

Applied Mathematics from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia aims  to offer training in research techniques in the field of mathematics, which takes shape in the form of formulating and drafting a doctoral thesis.

The objective of the Architectural, Building Construction and Urbanism Technology programmme at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia is to train researchers in the techniques specific to the realisation of architecture, building construction and urbanism, and it focuses on research, development and innovation in these areas of activity.