Doctoral School of Chemistry and Life Sciences

Doing a thesis in cotutelle

It is possible to prepare a thesis at Université Grenoble Alpes in co-tutelle with a foreign higher education institution. To do so, a cotutelle agreement must be drawn up and signed between the two partner institutions.

In the case of a thesis in cotutelle, the research work takes place alternately in both institutions. During the thesis and until the defense:

• the doctoral student enrols in both institutions.
• The doctoral student pays the registration fees in only one institution.
• the doctoral student carries out research stays alternately in the two institutions.
• the doctoral student is scientifically supervised by a thesis director in each institution.

After the (single) defence, the doctoral student obtains the doctoral degree from the University of Grenoble Alpes and the cotutelle partner establishment.


Before starting the process, make sure that the partner university accepts the principle of double awarding of the diploma. It is preferable to start the procedure as soon as possible, as the time required to sign the final document can be long.


Model agreements for thesis co-supervision and endorsements in French and English
The partner university sometimes asks for its own model to be used. In these cases, the template must be adapted to meet the requirements of both institutions.

Once your application has been accepted by the ED, please get in touch  with the International Relations Department of the Doctoral College
cotutelle-international@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr

Agreements and amendments must be approved by the Doctoral College before being printed and signed in as many copies as there are contracting parties.