The selection of PhD Students for the new academic year (new PhD cycle) usually starts in Spring time (see the section "Application and Selection procedure"), with exams (written and oral) during the Summer.

The activities of the PhD (for PhD Students of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year) start in September. The list of the activities for the full year (e.g. research methodology classes, seminars, conferences, other learning events) are planned at the beginning of each year.  For the PhD Students of the 1st year the list of the events of the B&F track involves (on average) two full-day classes every two weeks from September to March.

PhD Students are invited to present the state of the art of their research work two times a year (usually in June and in December) during the so called "D-days". The D-days are equally distributed during the year with presentations at the end of the Fall term and at the end of the Spring term.

At the end of each academic year (July) the PhD Students have an official evaluation. In case of a negative evaluation the PhD Student will quit his/her program because will not be allowed to enroll for the next year.

At the end of the third year (October) the PhD Students who complete their thesis can be admitted to the final exam, where a committee made by three members will judge the research work.