International co-supervised PhD
International co-supervision is a system that encourages mobility among PhD students by developing scientific cooperation between French and foreign research teams. The co-supervised student is supervised by a tutor in each of the two countries concerned. Both supervisors commit to fulfilling their role as tutor to the PhD student in full; their skills are therefore jointly employed. The PhD student must conduct their research in both countries, according to the terms of a contract. A framework agreement or specific agreement between the institutions may be set up to adapt the conditions under which the thesis is prepared.
What degree is awarded?
Each co-supervision of a PhD takes place on the basis of a contract between the two institutions, one of which must be French. The rules and procedures are those applicable to French PhDs and PhDs in the partner country. Both universities acknowledge the validity of the co-supervision and of the degree obtained (grade of Doctor for the French university and equivalent degree for the foreign university).
As regards the awarding of the degree:
- The student receives two PhDs, one from each institution. Each degree certificate bears the title of the degree specific to each institution, mentioning the fact that the PhD was co-supervised and indicating the name of the partner institution.
In both cases, the oral exam takes place in only one of the supervising institutions, based on a decision by two directors of research.