Joint supervision of a doctoral thesis
It is possible to carry out doctoral studies under the supervision of two supervisors, one at the University of Luxembourg and the second one at a foreign university.
This is known as joint supervision or cotutelle. The two co-supervisors are jointly responsible for supervising the doctoral candidate, who is required to spend time at both establishments in turn. The thesis is defended just once, and if the defence is successful the candidate is awarded either two diplomas or a joint diploma from the two institutions involved in the joint supervision.
Joint supervision is specific to each doctoral candidate who requests it. It is carried out in accordance with a joint supervision agreement concluded by and between the two institutions concerned within the first year of the doctoral programme. As registration dates vary widely from one university to another, doctoral candidates are strongly advised to make sure that the period between registration in the two contracting universities is as short as possible to facilitate the subsequent administrative formalities.
For doctoral candidates enrolled at the University of Luxembourg
For doctoral candidates enrolled at a foreign university
Doctoral candidates can only apply for joint supervision when registering for the first year of their doctoral programme. They must first choose a thesis topic that is accepted by a supervisor at the University.
The doctoral candidate and her/his thesis supervisor must then decide together how the doctoral studies are to be funded and whether to opt for joint supervision. If joint supervision is chosen, the supervisor must indicate this when starting the admission procedure for the doctoral candidate. The joint supervision agreement must be signed during the first year of the doctoral programme.
Doctoral candidates can only apply for joint supervision when registering for the first year of their doctoral programme. They must first choose a thesis topic and find a supervisor at the University of Luxembourg, as well as the means to fund their thesis.
The joint supervision agreement must be signed during the first year of the doctoral programme.
For more information, the doctoral candidate must contact the relevant department at his/her home university.
Note: Template agreements for joint supervision (cotutelle) are available in French and English on the staff intranet of the University of Luxembourg.