VENUES AND CALLS
September 2026
Spanish
Cam. Valdenigriales, S/N, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
On-site
3 or 5 years
INTERUNIVERSITY DOCTORATE IN ENGINEERING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT AT ESIC UNIVERSITY
The PhD Program in Engineering and Project Management is oriented to research within this framework, understanding projects from a complex, systemic and multidisciplinary perspective. A path focused on the process by which a project is designed, built and systematized to obtain favorable results.
The specific part of management is linked to the administration of resources and processes and affects the different agents involved.
The PhD in Engineering and Project Management is a comprehensive proposal, which gives space to multiple disciplines and allows research in the construction and development of projects in various professional fields such as engineering, business, building, architecture and urban planning.
PROGRAMS
MODALITIES
According to Royal Decree 576/2023, of July 4, amending Royal Decree 99/2011, of January 28, which regulates official doctoral studies:
Full Time Students
The duration of doctoral studies will be a maximum of four years full-time, counting from the date of enrollment of the doctoral student in the program until the date of deposit of the doctoral thesis. (Before the end of the aforementioned period, if the application for deposit of the thesis has not been submitted, the Academic Committee responsible for the program, upon request of the doctoral student, may authorize the extension of this period for one more year, under the conditions established in the corresponding doctoral program).
Part-time Students
The academic committee responsible for the doctoral program may authorize part-time doctoral studies. In order to apply for this modality, candidates will have to accredit some work activity. In this case, such studies may have a maximum duration of seven years from the date of enrollment in the program until the date of deposit of the doctoral thesis. (Before the end of the aforementioned period, if the application for deposit of the thesis has not been submitted, the academic committee responsible for the program, at the request of the doctoral candidate, may authorize the extension of this period for one more year, under the conditions established in the corresponding doctoral program).
This line of research manages to frame not only knowledge management as a key tool for innovation but also the optimization of processes, the use of new techniques and methodologies applied to project engineering. Such is the case that, nowadays, the scientific and professional sector in the R&D&I field considers it important to relate technological and research progress with the progress of society, becoming consolidated as one of the most important parts within project engineering.
Under this scheme, the objectives linked to this line of research allow the development of new knowledge, practices and analysis perspectives, fostering scientific and business innovation and encompassing a multidisciplinary approach in different areas. The objectives that are framed within this line are the deepening of knowledge of:
- Integrated Projects. It seeks to develop solutions for the synergy of the various areas involved in the design, planning and execution of projects with a holistic vision and emphasis on innovation.
- Business Management Projects. It deals with problems specifically related to the innovation and optimization of methodologies and strategies to increase the efficiency, quality and performance of companies through the design, planning and organization of resources based on project engineering.
- Architecture, Construction and Urbanism Projects. To deepen in the needs of growth and development of infrastructure in general with a comprehensive approach to social, economic and cultural benefits, innovating in the processes and providing concrete methodologies in the design, planning and execution of projects for the development of solutions to urban and architectural problems, which allow redesigning the physical spaces occupied by man in today's life.
- Efficient application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). To deepen the knowledge on the principles and optimization of processes, through the use of ICT as part of the business development strategy, proposing projects with innovative solutions to current needs.
- Project Communication. Address the problems of logistics and information exchange between the various areas of the project through innovative solutions focused on the organization, analysis and synthesis of the same, enhancing communication skills and integration of the basic concepts of communication in written, audiovisual and multimedia format.
- Tourism Management and Consulting. It meets the needs of evaluation and solution of problems related to the administration and operation of projects in companies dedicated to the tourism sector, through the use of innovative methodologies and processes for the management of both material and human resources.
- Industrial Technology Projects. To deepen in the use of engineering for the management, development and innovation of techniques, procedures and resources, in a systematized way, towards sustainable projects.
This line of research focuses on sustainable business management from different sectors, but with a project management approach. Similarly, it seeks to deepen contributions to the financial sector, with the analysis of decisions linked to customer management projects or the impact of the valuation of these in the banking sector. It also seeks contributions linked to projects related to the digital transformation of companies in various sectors. The line aims to develop work aligned with business management by projects with contributions related to sustainability management or ESG in organizations. Thus, the research team seeks to delve into research topics in project management and the impact on greenwashing of institutions, sustainability project management in family businesses, problems directly related to the implementation and inclusion of the SDGs (Agenda 2030) in project-based management and other related topics. Therefore, the objectives framed in this line are the deepening of the knowledge of:
- Management of sustainable projects. To deepen the knowledge of the company's obligations to the environment and the different stakeholders, as well as their efficient communication through the creation, monitoring and updating of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies.
- Measurement of social and environmental impact. Establish the correct development of sustainable projects, considering the study not only of the impact on the environment, but also the measurement of their social impact and contribution to society and the environment. Avoiding undesirable activities such as those known as ¿Greenwashing¿, which consist in trying to recover the reputation/brand of companies through actions supported only by misunderstood marketing.
- Institutional legitimization of projects and SDGs. The political, social and regulatory changes at the global level and, especially, at the European level are implying that every project is measured and its contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is increasingly justified. It is therefore relevant to deepen and study methods and methodologies that allow future professionals and researchers to consider this institutional legitimacy in projects.
- Ethics and artificial intelligence. It is important to deepen the knowledge of the management of projects that may require Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, since they must comply with a series of principles that can only be understood from the basic principles of business ethics, especially when these technologies, based on intensive uses of data (often personal), have the risk of incurring in unethical practices prohibited by AI that are severely sanctioned, especially by European laws.
- Digital transformation in project management. Project management also involves developing digital transformation projects that not only have an impact on the technical side, but also on the company's human resources, customers and suppliers. Therefore, these transformations must be studied from a holistic perspective given their great impact on the main stakeholders.
COMPETENCIES
Basic or general competencies
- CB11. Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to that field.
- CB12. Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
- CB13. Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
- CB14. Ability to perform critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
- CB15. Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.
- CB16. Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
Personal skills and abilities
- CA01. Perform in contexts in which there is little specific information.
- CA02. Find the key questions to be answered to solve a complex problem.
- CA03. Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.
- CA04. Work both in a team and autonomously in an international or multidisciplinary context.
- CA05. Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgments with limited information.
- CA06. Intellectual critique and defense of solutions.
TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Doctoral students (both TP and TC) will have to take 77 hours of training. All activities are compulsory except the mobility activity which is optional. This activity may be carried out throughout the entire PhD program up to a total of 720 hours.
| Course/Hours | Training activity | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1/6 hours | Research ethics and academic honesty | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 1/8 hours | Tools for information management and retrieval | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 1st TC, 2nd course TP / 4 hours | Roles and role of peer review in the academic field. | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 2º/4 hours | Dissemination of research results | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 2º/10 hours | Presentation of scientific communications to national and international congresses dedicated to aspects of Engineering and Project Management. | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 2nd and following / 25 hours | Preparation of an article for publication in a prestigious journal | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 2nd TC, 3rd course TP / 6 hours | Workshop on executive and emotional competencies | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| Preferably 2nd and 3rd / 720 hours | Mobility and stays in universities and higher research centers in the research topic | Mandatory/Cross-cutting activity |
| 3º/14 hours | Knowledge transfer models | Elective/Cross-cutting activity |
INCOME PROFILE
The recommended profile for students interested in this PhD Program is to be a graduate in Engineering or Architecture with a Master's Degree in Engineering, or to have a Master's Degree in Design, Management and Project Management or similar area. This profile has been established considering recommended entry profiles in similar doctoral programs in other Spanish universities.
In terms of language, candidates are required to demonstrate a level of English equal to or higher than B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This applies both to students whose mother tongue is not Spanish and to foreign students. The accreditation of the language level can be done through official certifications or through a certified level test offered by ESIC Idiomas.
Job opportunities
The PhD Program in Engineering and Project Management offers a comprehensive training, covering several disciplines and providing opportunities for research in the creation and evolution of projects in different professional areas, such as:
Architecture
Construction
Urban planning
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA
According to Royal Decree 576/2023, of July 4, which amends Article 6 of Royal Decree 99/2011, of January 28, which regulates official doctoral studies, in general, for access to an official doctoral program it will be necessary to be in possession of an official Spanish degree, or equivalent, and an Official Master's Degree, as well as those who are in any of the following situations:
- Holding an official Spanish university degree or equivalent Spanish degree, provided that at least 300 ECTS credits have been passed in these courses and accrediting a level 3 of the Spanish Framework of Qualifications for Higher Education.
- To be in possession of a degree obtained in accordance with foreign educational systems belonging to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), without the need for its homologation, which accredits a level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework, provided that such degree entitles the holder to access to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. This admission will not imply, in any case, the homologation of the previous degree held by the interested party nor its recognition for purposes other than access to doctoral studies.
- To be in possession of a degree obtained in accordance with foreign educational systems outside the EHEA, without the need for its homologation, after verification by the university that this accredits a level of training equivalent to that of the official Spanish Official Master's Degree and that it qualifies in the country of issue of the degree for access to doctoral studies. This admission will not imply, in any case, the homologation of the previous degree held by the interested party nor its recognition for purposes other than access to doctoral studies.
- Be in possession of another doctorate or doctorate degree.
- Likewise, university graduates who, after obtaining a place in training in the corresponding entrance exam to specialized health training positions, have passed with a positive evaluation at least two years of training in a program for obtaining the official degree in any of the specialties in Health Sciences, may also be admitted.
The following scale is established for access to the PhD program in Engineering and Project Management:
- Grade of the academic transcript of the degree of access to the doctoral program (40%).
- Grade of the academic transcript of the master's degree of access to the doctoral program (40%).
- Research experience or other merits related to research (20%).
- A minimum score is established above which the candidate may be admitted.
- Grade of the academic transcript of the degree of access to the doctoral program (minimum score: 2.5 out of 4).
- Grade of the academic transcript of the master's degree of access to the doctoral program (minimum score: 2.5 out of 4).
- Research experience or other research-related merits (minimum score: 1 out of 2).
- Minimum overall score to be accepted as a candidate: 6 out of 10.
- The academic committee of the degree is responsible for the admission procedure.
To start the admission process to the PhD Program in Engineering and Project Management, the candidate must send the documentation to doctorados@esic.university.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT UDP
ESIC's Professional Development Unit is made up of a team of professionals dedicated to boosting your professional career, whether you are studying in the classroom or as an Alumni. You can count on the UDP if you need to enter the world of work, as they have their own employability portal, although they also collaborate with international portals, fairs and employability events.
We have +6,400 internship offers with more than 3,000 job offers in which more than 2,000 students have completed internships. Some companies: BBVA, Telefónica, Warner Bros, Mapfre, Amazon.
International mobility options
Argentina
International Project Management Association IPMA Argentina
European University of the Atlantic
China
NANJING Normal University Agreement
Nebrija University
Shanghai Jiao Tong School of Continuing Education Agreement
Nebrija University
Agreement Shanghai International Studies International
Nebrija University
Zhejiang University of Technology
ESIC University
Spain
Agreement between Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universidad de Nebrija
Mexico
Agreement Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana UNINU
European University of the Atlantic.
Paraguay
APG Project Management Association Agreement
European University of the Atlantic.
Puerto Rico
International Iberoamerican University Agreement
European University of the Atlantic.
Uruguay
Agreement School of Management and Social Sciences
ESIC University
International Project Management Association IPMA Agreement
European University of the Atlantic.
APPLICATION
To formalize the application, the following documentation must be sent to doctorados@esic.university:
- Updated resume
- Certified copy of undergraduate degree (or bachelor's degree)
- Certified copy of the academic transcript of the degree (or bachelor's degree)
- Certified copy of the Master's degree academic certificate (or similar)
- Certified copy of the official Master's degree
- Letter issued by the university verifying that the studies give access to doctoral studies (in case of foreign degrees).
- Photocopy of ID card (Spaniards) or passport (foreigners)
- To certify the equivalent of B2 in English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Proof of the equivalent of B2 Spanish of the MCERL, in the case of non-Spanish speakers.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
Financial issues should not be an obstacle that prevents you from achieving your goals. Make sure you have a training with a future.
- - National mobility
- - International students
- - Academic excellence
- - Enrolled siblings
- - Alumni
- - Large family
- - Single-parent family
- - Entrepreneurship
- - Diversity Scholarship
- - ESIC study grants
- - Doctorates
- - Agreement with educational centers
- - ESIC CFGS Students
- - Agreement with companies