The framework and the individual cotutelle agreements

"In order to develop the international dimension of doctoral schools and scientific cooperation between French and foreign research teams, and to encourage the mobility of doctoral students, Université Paris-Saclay, which is accredited to award doctorates, may enter into an agreement with one or more foreign higher education institutions, which enjoy the same prerogatives in their country, to establish an international cotutelle of doctorate.

The co-contracting institutions are bound by the principle of reciprocity."

The cotutelle agreement is an agreement between two higher education establishments (one French and one foreign) enabling a doctoral student to complete a thesis under joint supervision.

The two institutions can also sign a framework agreement for cotutelle in order to develop or strengthen international cooperation in doctoral studies.

During the doctorate, the doctoral student spends a minimum of 12 months in each of the two institutions. At the end of the thesis, the defence is held in one of the two partner countries, with the participation of a joint jury. If they pass, they will be awarded two doctoral degrees (one French, one foreign).

International cotutelle agreements are managed by Maison du doctorat.

Applicable regulations

The eligibility criteria

Before starting any administrative procedure, you must ensure that you : 

  1. Have a Master 2 or equivalent
  2. Be at most enrolled in the first year of a doctorate 
  3. Have an international cotutelle project 
  4. Have a thesis supervisor holding an HDR (authorization to supervise research) or an ADT (authorization to supervise a thesis) in France and a thesis supervisor within the partner institution who undertakes to supervise your research work
  5. Have funding for the entire duration of your doctorate
  6. Have been accepted by one of the Université Paris-Saclay doctoral schools
  7. Verify that the partner institution is accredited to award a double doctoral degree
  • During your cotutelle PhD, you must spend at least 12 months at Université Paris-Saclay, and a minimum of 12 months at the partner institution.

Setting up the agreement

The documentation

Visualize the procedure
or download the documentation.pdf - ( 138.54 KB)

The contacts