The third cycle of university studies is aimed at advanced training of students. Successful completion of this cycle entitles the student to a PhD degree. The programmes are distributed into a taught period and a research period. The taught period may require between 60 and 120 ECTS credits of one or more official Master’s degrees and a research period including courses, seminars and other activities oriented towards research training. The research period includes preparation and presentation of a PhD thesis, which consists of original research work. Both training and research lead to a PhD degree.