Academic degree
Doctoral degrees or doctorates, such as the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD or DPhil) or Doctor of Education (EdD or DEd) are awarded following a programme of original research that contributes new knowledge within the context of the student's discipline. Doctoral degrees usually take three years full-time. Therefore, in the UK it may only take seven years to progress from undergraduate to doctoral level – in some cases six, since having a Master's is not always a precondition for embarking on a doctoral degree. This contrasts with nine years in the United States, reflecting differences in the educational systems.
Dottorato di ricerca
After 1999, the "Laurea" corresponds to a Bachelor's Degree while the "Laurea Magistrale" corresponds to a Master's Degree. Only the "Laurea Magistrale" grants access to third cycle programmes (Post-MA degrees, Doctorates or Specializing schools), that last 2 to 5 years (usually completing a PhD takes 3 years). However, it is now established that there is just a unique five-year degree "Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico" ("Single cycle master's degree") for programmes such as Law (Facoltà di Giurisprudenza), Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti), Music (Conservatorio di Musica) and a few others, and six-years degree for Medicine and Surgery (Medicina e Chirurgia) and Dentistry (Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria). The title for MA/MSc/MFA/MD/MJur/MEd graduate students is "dottore" (abbreviation in "dott."/"dott.ssa" or "dr.", meaning Doctor). This title is not to be confused with the PhD and Post-MA graduates, whose title is "Dottore di Ricerca" ("Research Doctor" or "Philosophy Doctor").