PhD students may apply to change their study mode from full-time (FT) to part-time (PT), or vice versa.

Changing or modifying the mode of study results in a change to the maximum duration of doctoral studies, as it may lead to either a shorter or longer period of study.

A change from part-time (PT) to full-time (FT) or from full-time (FT) to part-time (PT) may be authorised only once and, in any event, before the end of the doctoral programme’s duration.

In exceptional circumstances, a second and final change of study mode may be authorised if the applicant obtains a pre-doctoral contract that requires them to undertake their studies on a full-time basis.

Where periods of full-time study are combined with periods of part-time study, or vice versa, the duration of the programme will be calculated by taking into account the time the doctoral student has spent in each mode of study.

For the purposes of this calculation, a proportionality factor is applied based on the time limits set out in current regulations, depending on the year of first enrolment in the doctoral programme.

a. Students whose first enrolment in the doctoral programme is in or after the 2023/2024 academic year, with a maximum duration of 4 years full-time and 7 years part-time, in accordance with the following formulas:

• From full-time (TC) to part-time (TP), the maximum time, counted in months, for the deposit application will be: t (months) = 84 - 3/4 · x where ‘x’ is the number of months studied full-time.
• From part-time to full-time, the maximum period, counted in months, for the application for deposit will be: t (months) = 48 + 3/7 y where ‘y’ is the number of months studied part-time.

Where a change from full-time to part-time study occurs during the first year of the extension, the date for the deposit shall be calculated by multiplying the remaining extension period by two.

b. Students enrolled for the first time on a PhD programme and on a programme prior to the 2023/2024 academic year: a proportionality factor similar to the one above will be applied, but adapted to the duration of their studies—3 years for full-time study and 5 years for part-time study:

• From full-time to part-time: t (months) = 60 - 2/3 · x
• From part-time to full-time: t (months) = 36 + 2/5 · y