Preparing a cotutelle agreement (Joint PhD)
What is a cotutelle agreement?
The thesis cotutelle agreement is the document specifying the academic requirements of the PhD student's study programme as well as the conditions guaranteeing the good implementation of the co-supervision between the two partner universities.
It is therefore a nominative/individual document that will make the Doctorate in cotutelle official.
The UGA has a template of its own, but can accept to negotiate on the basis of the partner university's template if it meets its criteria.
I want to register for a Doctorate at UGA and I already have a co-supervision plan. How do I proceed?
During your first registration at UGA,
you must inform your doctoral school about your cotutelle project. They will examine it/ In case of approval, you will be put in contact with the International relations Division to start establishing the agreement.
Please note that the cotutelle agreement has to be finalised before you re-enrol at UGA for the second year.
I am a PhD student at UGA, I would like to start a cotutelle with a foreign partner university, and I already have a PhD supervisor ready to supervise me there. How do I proceed?
First of all, you should be in first year or at the beginning of your second year. Beyond that, cotutelle requests will not be accepted.
You have to alert your supervisor and
your doctoral school of your cotutelle project. After approbation of the doctoral school, you will be put in contact with the International relations Division to start establishing the agreement.
Please note that the cotutelle agreement has to be finalised before you re-enrol at UGA for the second year.
I am a PhD student at a University in another country, I have found a supervisor who is interested in supervising me at UGA, and I would like to formalize the cotutelle with UGA. How do I proceed?
You have to apply to the
doctoral school in your discipline, which will assess your application. After approval by the doctoral school, you will have to contact the International relations Division to start establishing the agreement.
How long does it take to prepare and negotiate the cotutelle agreement?
According to the University with which you wish to settle the cotutelle, the negotiation and signature of the document can take between 3 and 12 months.
It is therefore recommended to inform due persons as soon as possible, once the project is defined.
Is it possible to prepare a cotutelle with a partner institution that does not award a doctoral degree?
No, it is not possible. For a Doctorate in cotutelle, both partner institutions must be entitled to award a doctoral degree.
Each institution will edit its own diploma. The PhD Student will therefore complete two degrees and receive two diplomas, but in no case, a joint degree.
My cotutelle day by day
Do I have to be registered at my Home University as well as at my partner University?
Yes, you must register every year at both institutions. After the defense, you will obtain the PhD degree at UGA and at the Partner University.
Do I have to pay the registration fees at both Universities?
No, you have to pay the registration fees only at one of the Universities, following th eterms of the cotutelle agreement.
Please note that you will have to pay the fees at UGA at least one year (~380€/year).
Who will supervise my research ?
You will carry out your research under the joint supervision of the two thesis supervisors and the two universities involved. The supervisors have to be entitled to guide the thesis research of Doctoral students, or have an equivalent title/derogation corresponding to the French HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des recherches)
Do I have to spend some mobility time at my partner University?
Yes, you should do your research in both institutions, according to a schedule developed jointly with the thesis supervisors. Over the entire duration of the thesis, the time spent in each country should not be less than 30% of your whole PhD.
How could I get a grant in order to finance the mobility periods at my partner university?
At UGA there are no grants specifically dedicated to finance the mobility periods at partner Universities for Doctorates in cotutelle.
It is up to you to do your own research and find financial support, regularly monitoring the online catalogue of Campus France (
Campus bourses) and the on-line website of bi-national Universities (for example
UFA and
UFI), national Institutions such as Foundations, Companies, local administrations, etc.
In addition, you can apply to the Doctoral College's Call for international mobilities which is run twice a year. You will find more informaiton
on the dedicated webpage.
When shall I submit my request for the thesis defense?
The defense request must be submitted to your Doctoral School no later than two months before the foreseen defense date. Please, contact your Doctoral School as soon as possible to start this process
Do I have to defend my Doctorate twice? At both Universities?
No, you do not have to defend your thesis twice. There will be only one defense, with a unique Doctoral jury
Will it be possible to extend my Doctorate in cotutelle? If yes, how to proceed?
To extend the duration of your cotutelle, you will first need to obtain the approval of your doctoral school and thesis directors to re-enroll. You will then have to contact the International relations Division to establish the addendum to the agreement. This amendment shall specify in what institution you shall pay the registration fees for the new PhD year.
You should make sure that you have the right to re-register at your partner institution, otherwise the addendum cannot be concluded.
The amendment must be signed by the same people who signed the cotutelle agreement.
In which cases do I need to make an amendment to my cotutelle agreement?
You must make an amendment in case of:
- change of the location of the defense
- change of a Doctorate supervisor
- extension of your Doctorate
- significant changes in your mobility periods (which would no longer respect the 1/3 of minimum presence in each institution)
Learning by Research
