Cotutelle de thèse guidelines

 

The Studienpräses is responsible for approving a "Cotutelle de thèse" agreement, whereby the procedure (curriculum, degree, etc.) is precisely defined in each individual case in the course of this "Cotutelle de thèse" agreement.

The cotutelle model ("Cotutelle de thèse") originates from a French initiative to support joint doctoral supervision by French universities and universities in other countries. In the meantime, the cotutelle model has established itself as one of the most common models of joint supervision outside France. Cotutelle agreements are agreements between the University of Vienna and a partner university.

The main features of a cotutelle agreement are

  • Doctoral students carry out their research under the supervision of (at least) two researchers (at least one from each participating university). Stays for research and study purposes alternate between the two universities.
  • The student is admitted to both universities for the entire period of study and fulfils admission and study requirements at both universities.
  • The agreement regulates the extent to which tuition fees are to be paid at which university.
  • The student has at least one supervisor at both universities.
  • The student spends at least the equivalent of one academic year at the partner university.
  • The coursework to be completed is subject to the respective domestic study law of both universities.
  • The dissertation is written in the language that is customary at the university responsible for the assessment procedure; in addition, an abstract in the language customary at the partner university may be requested.
  • The completed dissertation must be submitted to both partner universities for assessment.
  • After a positive assessment of the dissertation and completion of all the work required by the curriculum of both universities, the student must take a final oral examination (viva voce/defensio) at one of the two partner universities.

For advice and detailed information, please contact the Doctoral Studies Centre.