PhD in Psychology of Communication and Change

Why do this PhD?

This pioneering PhD is dedicated to researching the challenges involved in communication, learning and change from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives.

You will receive the multidisciplinary training required to conduct research into communication, learning and change, alongside researchers from a range of disciplines (Psychology, Educational Sciences, Speech Therapy) and based on the experience of two leading universities, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the University of Barcelona (UB). 

We offer methodological tools and specialised supervision in fields such as education, psychological development, health, clinical psychology, communication and language disorders, and organisational psychology, among other related subjects.

We are dedicated to carrying out research as part of a dynamic and very active interuniversity and interdisciplinary community, which is geared towards participation in prestigious scientific publications and relevant conferences.

Professional opportunities

This PhD programme provides the following principal career options:

• University teaching and research.
• Teaching in schools.
• Healthcare.
• Social services.
• Financial, political, religious or non-governmental organisations.
• Organisations engaged in creativity, human resources or entrepreneurship.
• Conflict resolution.
• Programme assessment.
• Legal psychology.
• Social networks.
• Physical activity and sport.

Coordinator

J. Reinaldo Martínez Fernández (UAB)

Composition of the academic tribunal for the PhD programme

The academic committee of the PhD will consist of:

• The two coordinators of the doctoral program of the two universities (UAB and UB)
• A professor of the participating departments in the program, rotating between the participating universities every three years.

Regarding the academic committee of the UAB:

• The academic commission consists of the coordinator of the doctoral program and, at least, three doctors. It is chaired by the program coordinator and has a secretary or academic secretary, who appoints the same committee among its members.

Administration

UISAD of the Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology B5 Building, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès)Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Opening hours:

• Morning: from 9:30 am to 13:30 pm.

Tel: +34 93 581 2758 Mail: postgrau.psic.basica@uab.cat

Contact: Carlos Marina

Thesis supervisor/s and academic tutor/s

External Tutors

Observational Studies and Evaluation of Programmes in Communication and Change

Studies on Prevention and Promotion of Communicative Relationships in Social, Educational and Health Spheres

Studies on cognitive and communicative processes in education and in the stages of development

Thesis supervision and thesis tutoring

Admission application

This PhD programme has, for the 2025-2026 academic year, the following pre-registration periods

• From April, 4 to May, 30
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: June, 27
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the coordinator: June, 10
• From September, 1 to October, 15 - 
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the School of Doctorate: November, 5
  • RESOLUTION maximum by the coordinator: October, 25

Documentation necessary for admission

*The director's endorsement is required*

In addition to the documentation that each programme indicates, two documents (Other documents1 and Other documents2) that serve as a wildcard are attached for each programme so that the interested person can attach other documents that he or she considers appropriate or that the PhD programme indicates.

Admissions before the established period and pre-admissions

The Doctoral School, following the indications of the coordination of the PhD programme, can issue before the start of the term of admission of an academic course, or before the end of the term of resolution, letters of admission so that you can request a scholarship or to do the visa procedures in your country. It is only necessary that you enter your application in the computer application and that you indicate it in the Observations field, where you must indicate that you need a letter of admission and the scholarship to which you are opting. If the computer application is closed, you can contact the coordination of the programme.

If you need a preadmission, the coordination of the programme can issue it if it considers it appropriate. You must contact the coordination of the programme to inform you of the procedure.

On the International Support Service website you can see more information about future foreign students related to residencies in Catalonia, legal procedures and the UAB campus.

Monitoring your application

You can monitor your application using the same page as you made it. Below are the explanations of the different stages:

• Application made by student: your pre-registration has been saved.
• Incomplete application: there are documents missing from the application.
• Validated by the administrative office: the application and attached documents have been checked.
• Admitted: the coordinator has considered the pre-registration and proposed an offer or admission.
• Offer of admission: the Doctoral School has considered the proposals for admission made by the coordinator and has made a definitive offer. The PhD student will also receive an e-mail informing them of this decision. The PhD student must wait to register.
• Waiting list: the coordinator has considered the pre-registration and has agreed on admission but there are no places on the PhD course.
• Application rejected: the coordinator or the Doctoral School have considered the application but do not agree to admission as not all the requirements have been fulfilled.

If you need it, here you will find a complementary information document on PhD studies.

Requirements and selection criteria

General access requirements

Specific access requirements

This PhD programme has the following specific admission requirements:

• ability to read scientific texts written in English,
• suitable postgraduate training in quantitative and/or qualitative methodology to conduct research in the field of this programme,
• personal interview: in situ or by videoconference.

Selection criteria

The programme applies the following selection criteria and weighting:

• academic transcript (30%);
• interview (25%);
• specific training in quantitative and/or qualitative methodology (20%);
• proof of ability to read scientific texts written in English (25%);

Registration and fees

Calendar and Registration documents

After the registration

Training activities

Transversal training activities

Mandatory and optional specific activities

The programmed activities for this PhD are as follows:

Obligatory

• Participation in internal research group seminars
  PhD students attend some of the working sessions of the research group in order to acquire a general perspective of the framework into which their thesis will fit.

• Attendance at seminars or conferences given by experts in the area of knowledge
  This includes the option of visiting centres outside the programme. These conferences are programmed throughout the course and cover topics in which participants are specialised, within the area of communication and change.

• Publication and / or acceptance of a research paper, book or chapter
  This is designed to promote the production of the thesis as a compendium of articles and, where this format is not adopted, at least students gain experience in the publication of an article in a high impact journal.

Typologies and Research Ethics

Internationalization

Foreign residencies

Evaluation and annual review

Thesis deposit

If you wish to submit your doctoral thesis in this program, remember that you must start the application at least 2 months before the maximum of the term of permanence regime that appears on your file.

Look out! If you want to deposit before the end of this academic year and thus not have to pay the fees for the next course, you must confirm your deposit request before June 30, 2025.

At the time of making your online deposit, you must attach these documents to your application, in the section "Attach documentation":
 

All PhD students

• The thesis file
• Sheet with the data of the members of the court (no need to sign)
• Turnitin similarity report of the thesis file
• Turnitin Dissertation Report Affidavit
• Suitability document of the two external evaluators
• Document of suitability for members of the court

Mention of International Doctor: Mandatory documentation if you request it

• Mention of International Doctor: 1 report from the external expert
• Mention of International Doctor: 2 report of the external expert

Compendium of publications: Mandatory documentation if you request it

• Compendium: Resolution of acceptance by the CAPD

Writing a thesis in a language other than Catalan, Spanish and English: Mandatory documentation if you request it

• Resolution if the thesis is written in a language other than Catalan, Spanish or English

Information related to the thesis

Internal Quality Assurance System of the centers

Verification

Evaluation process previous to the implementation of the degree: presentation of a proposal for a new PhD programme for AQU-Catalunya (Agency for the Quality of the University System of Catalonia) to issue the binding evaluation for the Council of Universities (Ministry of Universities), which is the responsible agent for verification.

• Report on the PhD programme
• Resolution on verification by the Spanish Universities Council
• Registry of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT)

Monitoring

Periodic monitoring process of the development and results of the PhD programme: self-evaluation carried out, every 3 years, by themselves.

• Monitoring report on the programme

Accreditation

Degree implementation renewal process: presentation, every 6 years from the implementation of the programme, of a self-report so that AQU-Catalunya issues the binding evaluation for the Council of Universities, which is the body responsible for accreditation.

• Accreditation self-report
• Accreditation report
• Resolution of accreditation of the Council of Universities
• Register of Universities, centers and degrees (RUCT)

AQU VSMA Framework

Internal Quality Assurance System of the faculty

Set of processes to manage and monitor the different aspects of degrees, with the strategic objective of ensuring continuous improvement

• Internal Quality Assurance System
• Tutoring Action Plan (PAT)
• Standing Committee

Opina UAB

A channel for suggestions, complaints and praise regarding the functioning of the UAB

PhD data

• Satisfaction surveys of Doctors
• Satisfaction surveys of thesis supervisors
• Check here the results of the doctor's job placement survey
• The PhD figures

Recognition and awards

In this link you will find the doctors who have obtained the Special Prize Award in this PhD programme.