Learning by Research

Prerequisites

To apply, you must first have a thesis subject and there are two ways to proceed:

• Choose a subject from the current proposals, and submit your application according to the procedures indicated. Consult the websites of doctoral schools and research laboratories in your field, to find out about the subjects and funding available:
• Propose a thesis topic to a laboratory or Doctoral School (mainly in the arts, languages, humanities and social sciences). The subject will then be worked out with the future thesis supervisor;
• Be pre-selected by a thesis director and a host laboratory to carry out the research work;
• Meet the general conditions for registration in thesis defined by the  decree of May 25, 2016 setting the national framework of training and the procedures leading to the issuance of the national PhD diploma namely:
  • hold a French diploma conferring the degree of master at the end of a training programme establishing the aptitude for research;
  • or hold a foreign diploma of equivalent level (obtained at the end of a training programme establishing the aptitude for research). In this case, your application will be examined by the Commission Dispenses et Dérogations  Doctorales (CD3);
  • or benefit from the validation of prior learning as provided for by the French Education Code.

Applications

Application procedures may vary from one doctoral school to another.

Admission

If your application has been selected by a Doctoral School, your Doctoral School will contact you about the admission phase.