ESP Diploma Programme

ICTP's diploma course differs from other schools/colleges and training-cum-research activities that take place at the centre.  The academic programme itself is quite intense and consists of three terms: the first is dedicated to courses in basic subjects; the second comprises selected advanced topics in the field; and during the third, Diploma students carry out research under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.

During the first 9 months of the programme, students attend on the average around 10 hours of lectures per week, and do obligatory homework assignments. Final examinations are administered for each of the 8-10 courses. Those who successfully pass this stage go on to work on dissertations during the last 3 months of the programme, ending in an oral defence of the written dissertation.

The period is for one full year, the level is pre-PhD, participants are younger, and the number is limited.  The focus is especially on those developing countries for which high-quality advanced scientific training is less accessible.  Generally, around 10 scholarships are offered annually in each of the fields.  The ICTP Diploma is awarded only to those students who have successfully completed the examinations and dissertation work, and complied with other formalities as may be decided upon by the Scientific Committee of the Diploma Programme.

For further details and the application procedure please see http://diploma.ictp.it/.