Among one of the very old cities of Italy, Bologna has always been a very distinguished place to visit and obtain education. Educational institutions, such as the University of Bolonga, boast of well-educated faculty and education in medieval art, music and culture.

Philosophy is a discipline that involves critical thinking and reasoning. Students who study this area can develop a knowledge and understanding of life questions and topics, as well as exceptional critical thinking skills useful in a variety of career paths, such as business or government.

Officially known as the Italian Republic, the country is found in southern Europe. The official language is Italian and the cultural rich capital is Rome. Many of the world's oldest universities are located in Italy, in particular the University of Bologna (founded in 1088). There are three Superior Graduate Schools with "university status", three institutes with the status of Doctoral Colleges, which function at graduate and post-graduate level.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.