PhD in Social and Political Science

PhD Program Officer
Silvia Acquati 

At a glance 

• Four-year, full-time, English-taught PhD with two years of advanced coursework
• Methods + substance: rigorous training in cutting-edge methods and major social and political science subfields
• Fully funded (tuition waiver + fellowship) for admitted students; additional places for externally funded candidates
• Small cohort (~6/year) with interdisciplinary backgrounds and close mentorship
• World-class faculty publishing in top journals and leading major research projects
• Outstanding placements in academia, IOs, and policy roles
• Milan advantage: a dynamic city and Bocconi’s modern campus
• Apply by 15 January 2026 for entry in 2026/27
   

Program Overview

The PhD in Social and Political Science (SPS) at Bocconi University in Milan is a modern, rigorous, and innovative four-year, full-time program taught entirely in English. It prepares highly motivated students for careers in academia, research institutions, and policy-making worldwide.

The SPS PhD emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach through a mix of cutting-edge methods courses and advanced substantive courses in political science, sociology and demography, public administration, economic history, and political economy. 

The premise of the program is that there is a constant interplay between political processes, social dynamics and economic factors, thereby requiring the use of interdisciplinary analytical tools to develop innovative explanations of major policy problems. Specialization occurs through elective courses in one or more core areas.

With rigorous training, personalized mentorship, and strong institutional support, graduates are exceptionally prepared to compete at the highest international levels. They contribute to groundbreaking scholarship and tackle pressing global challenges like economic and political inequalities, health disparities, and governance challenges. Recent alumni have secured positions at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, the IMF, and the OECD.

Coursework and research 

Years 1–2: acquire state-of-the-art theoretical and methodological tools and produce an original research paper under faculty supervision.

Years 3–4: focus on the dissertation—developing an ambitious project that makes a significant scholarly contribution.

See Courses and Requirements for details. 

Mentoring and Supervision

Bocconi faculty publish in premier journals (e.g., American Political Science Review, American Sociological Review, American Economic Review, PNAS), secure highly competitive grants, and advise governments and international organizations.

Each student is assigned a faculty mentor for the first two years to support research induction, professional socialization, and early job-market preparation. Students then select a primary advisor (and optional co-advisor) for the dissertation. Close collaboration includes regular feedback, opportunities to co-author, and support for conference presentations.

Mentoring emphasizes holistic development, including access to counselling services, work-life balance resources, and career planning workshops. Low faculty–student ratios ensure individualized attention. 

Intellectual environment

Bocconi offers a vibrant, dynamic intellectual hub for PhD students in social and political sciences. Students can engage with world-class faculty and visiting scholars through weekly seminars, workshops, and colloquia. 

Students have access to Bocconi’s state-of-the-art resources, including the library's extensive databases, high-performance computing facilities, and interdisciplinary centres like the Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policy, the Centre for Research on Geography, Resources, Environment, Energy & Networks (GREEN), the Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), and the Institute for European Policymaking.

Bocconi is committed to diversity, providing resources for underrepresented students and fostering an environment free from discrimination. Social events enhance community building and informal socialization with faculty and visiting scholars.

Admissions

Admission is highly competitive and welcomes Master’s graduates in relevant fields who demonstrate strong research potential.

• Apply online via the Bocconi portal
• Join PhD Day to learn more
• Deadline: 15 January 2026 (for 2026/27 entry). 

Placement highlights

Our graduates secure roles at leading institutions. Between 2020 and 2024, almost 80% entered academic positions; most others joined international organizations and policy roles (e.g., OECD, IMF). Check the placement page for more information on recent track record. 

Program management and history

The program is overseen by an Executive Committee comprising PhD Director Prof. Alexandros Kentikelenis, Prof. Valentina Mele, Prof. Arnstein Aassve, and Prof. Ala Alrababah.

A Faculty Board coordinates and supervises study and research activities carried out by PhD students, monitors and assesses the performance of the program as a whole, and proposes improvements.

The SPS PhD builds on the earlier PhD in Public Policy and Administration (2014–2020) and has run in its current form since academic year 2021–22.