Drawing up a thesis cotutelle agreement
A thesis cotutelle takes place within the framework of an "international thesis cotutelle" agreement between Aix-Marseille Université and a foreign partner university.
Candidates wishing to prepare their thesis within the framework of an international thesis cotutelle must submit a request to their AMU thesis co-director. After approval by the Director of the host laboratory and the Director of the Doctoral School, and negotiation with the partner institution, the latter fills in the international cotutelle scientific form, highlighting the benefits of cooperation between the two laboratories and the thesis cotutelle. The thesis director or Doctoral School sends the scientific cotutelle form to the Pôle Appui à la mobilité of the Direction des Relations Internationales before April 15 of the first academic year of postgraduate registration (form to be requested from your DFD contact), together with all the required documents.
Exceptionally, a request duly justified by the thesis director at AMU, made during the second year, may be examined.
Students wishing to carry out a cotutelle thesis who do not hold a Master's degree from a Bologna signatory university must apply to the Doctoral School for an exemption from the Master's requirement, which will be submitted to the Aix-Marseille Université Research Commission at the same time (if possible) as the cotutelle application. Please contact the Doctoral School for further information on this exemption.
Negotiating the content of the agreement with the partner institution
The thesis director must agree with the foreign partner on the principle and terms of the cotutelle thesis, based on the model agreement proposed by the DFD. The partner may require copies in their own language or in English, or may have their own form, in which case negotiations may take place.
- During the 3 years of their thesis, doctoral students will be registered at both universities, but will only pay tuition fees at one, alternately. It is therefore essential to stipulate in the agreement, for each year, the institution in which the student will pay the fees, and the one in which he or she will be exempted. Since each university will issue a diploma, the student will have to pay tuition fees at each university at least once.
- The periods spent at each of the two institutions must be specified. The recommended minimum length of time spent at each institution is 30% of the total duration of the thesis. However, this is left to the discretion of the thesis directors.
- The jury: the number of jury members is between four and eight.
- The thesis is defended in a single session, enabling the doctoral student (French or foreign) to obtain both the French doctorate and the equivalent foreign degree. The place where the thesis will be defended must also be specified, as well as the language in which it will be written and defended. A substantial written and oral summary must be provided in French if this is not the language in which the thesis is written.
- The agreement recognizes the validity of the thesis defended within this framework.
Submitting the cotutelle application or amendment to the DFD :
- After filling in the document entitled "Convention de cotutelle internationale de thèse", or the amendment, in agreement with the partner institution, the thesis director at amU forwards it to the DFD manager of the Doctoral School in question for processing.
- After administrative approval of the file, the thesis director signs and submits the agreement in 4 original copies for signature by the Director of the host laboratory and the Director of the Doctoral School concerned.
- On receipt of the complete application, the DFD submits the cotutelle/avenant application to the Research Commission for approval, and then to the Vice-President Research (by delegation of the President) for signature if approved. The originals of the agreement are then sent to the partner university for signature. The signature process can also begin with the foreign university. The same applies to amendments.
Documents required to apply for a thesis cotutelle agreement
- Scientific file
- Summary of thesis project (1-2 pages)
- Candidate's CV
- Proof of funding obtained
- Copy of last diploma obtained
- Completed agreement
- Request for exemption from Master's requirements (if necessary)
Documents required for an amendment to the cotutelle agreement
- Scientific form
- Letter from thesis director justifying request
- Proof of funding for the extension
- Completed amendment (model to be requested from DFD)
- Copy of initial agreement
- Copy of previous amendments, if any