The regime of permanence of doctoral students in the doctoral program is regulated in: Instruction UCA/I03VP/2016, (…) defining the Procedures for the management of the regime of dedication and permanence in doctoral studies at the Universidad de Cádiz. In summary, although the interested party is recommended to consult the Instruction mentioned above directly, the permanence regime is as follows:

Duration of doctoral studies: full-time or part-time dedication. When formalizing the registration, they may opt for the regime of dedication part-time (3 years) or full-time (5 years), for the conclusion of the doctoral thesis, without prejudice to the extensions indicated in the regulations.

Change of dedication: The Comisión Académica may agree, upon request by the interested party, to change the regime from full-time to part-time when, after enrolling in the doctorate, any of the circumstances indicated in the Memoria occur:

1. Providing professional services through a duly accredited labour, civil, administrative or civil service relationship that, in the opinion of the academic committee, seriously hinders full-time dedication to the program.
2. Being affected by a degree of physical, sensory or mental disability that determines the need to pursue part-time doctoral studies. In this case, the student must provide documentary evidence of the recognized degree of disability.
3. Be doing other specialized training at the same or another University, accrediting the condition of being admitted or enrolled in said studies as a part-time student.
4. When the doctoral training is carried out under an agreement concluded with a company or institution, referring to its personnel, under the terms set out in the specific agreement to be signed, which justifiably provides for deadlines other than those mentioned above.
5. Be considered the main caregiver of dependent persons and accredit it by presenting supporting documentation and certification issued by the competent body for the recognition of the situation of dependency.
6. Have children under 3 years of age.

Suspension of the calculation of deadlines: periods of sick leave, paternity leave or “any other cause contemplated by current regulations” are not calculated, all of which must be requested and accredited by the interested party. The application will be submitted to the Comisión Académica, which will inform and forward it to EDUCA so that it can decide according to its criteria.

Temporary withdrawal: This can be requested from the Comisión Académica for one year, extendable for a further year, and is the exclusive competence of the Academic Committee to grant it.

Definitive withdrawal: It means not continuing the studies in the doctoral program. The reasons and effects are regulated in art. 7th of Instrucción UCA/I03VP/2016.