Jointly Supervised PhD (Cotutelle)

The signing of Jointly Supervised PhD/Cotutelle Agreements is ruled by the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra (RAUC), which establishes the scope for its implementation and the conditions for its accomplishment.

Please check the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra >> HERE

Scope and Conditions

The Cotutelle system applies to the students who are enrolled and registered in a Cycle of Studies leading to a PhD Degree, according to a co-supervision system in two different higher education institutions, one of which is mandatorily a foreign institution, and who want to obtain the PhD Degree from both institutions, pursuant to the terms of the aforementioned regulation and according to the following conditions:

1. The Cotutelle system depends on the existence of congenerous PhD programmes in the partner Institutions, and this assumption shall be assessed by the Organisational Unit that is responsible for the course at the University of Coimbra.
2. The existence of two supervisors, each belonging to each of the partner institutions;
3. The Cotutelle PhD Degree Course, depends on the previous signing of a Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Agreement, which establishes the exact terms of the joint supervision for each PhD Student individually.
4. The Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Agreement may be written in Portuguese or in English.
5. The student must accomplish a minimum period of work in each of the institutions where the PhD Course is undertaken.
6. The period of work spent in the host institution has a minimum duration of one academic year (with at least ten months of effective presence), and, provided that it is justified, it may correspond to two non-consecutive semesters.
7. The period mentioned in the previous number cannot be recognised by means of awarding of credits, and it can only begin after the jointly supervised PhD agreement is signed by all the involved parties.
8. At the UC, the registration system is annual and on a full-time basis registration or, if such if justified, a semester registration.
9. The student shall renew annualy yhe registration at both partner institutions (host institution and home institution) within the deadlines established for this purpose.
10. The agreement has a maximum duration of four years, and it may be extended a maximum of two times, concerning the cases in which this is justified, and provided that it is duly accepted and substantiated by the student and his/her supervisors.
11. The extensions mentioned in the previous number depend on the agreement of the two Partner Institutions, based on a joint proposal of the supervisors, and they will be an Addendum to the agreement.
12. The PhD student is responsible for the payment of the Tuition Fee, Fees and other Charges inherent in the registrations carried out at the home Institution and the host Institution in accordance with what is established in the Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Agreement.
13. The PhD student, or the respective funding entity, is also responsible for the payment of the travel and accommodation expenses inherent in the attendance at the Cycle of Studies leading to a PhD Degree, as well as for any procedures and costs concerning an insurance, and a visa, if applicable.
14. When the Cotutelle PhD Agreement is concluded, the student can only be regularly registered in the PhD Programme of one of the institutions.

Procedure

1. The PhD student expresses his/her intention of accomplishing a jointly supervised PhD course to his/her supervisor at the UC.
2. The PhD Student must ensure the existence of a supervisor in the host institution.
3. Both the supervisor and PhD student shall ensure the necessary contacts to implement what is provided for in the previous number.
4. Both the supervisor and PhD student elaborate the work programme (referring to academic years and semesters), including its calendarization and the respective match with each partner institution in which the work shall be developed.
5. Once the supervisor from the partner university agrees, a proposal of a Jointly Supervised PhD Agreement must be written based on:

• a) the template used in the UC (if it is the host institution) or
• b) the template used in the host institution.

6. After being completely filled in, the template must be sent to the respective Organisational Unit of the UC so that it complies with the internal procedures.
7. The Organisational Unit of the UC sends to the Academic Management Services (SGA) the proposal of a Jointly Supervised PhD Agreement along with the supervisors' reports and the contacts of the partner institution.
8. The SGA analyses, according to the legislation and regulation, the Jointly Supervised PhD Agreement and ensures the coordination with the partner institution in order to reach a final text that will be signed by all the involved parties.

Acceptance of the Thesis and Implementation of its Public Defence

The rules concerning the acceptance of the Thesis are established in the Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Agreement in accordance with the regulation in force at the institution in which the PhD Exam shall take place.

Public defence of the Thesis

1. The rules concerning the implementation of the Thesis Public Defence are mentioned in the Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Agreement in accordance with the regulations in force in the institution where the public defence shall take place.
2. The PhD Student will take part in the public defence of the thesis, only once, at the institution that the parties of the Jointly Supervised PhD Agreement define as the place for the PhD Thesis Defence
3. The rules concerning public defence of the PhD Thesis, including the appointment, constitution and workings of the examination board/jury, are established by the jointly supervised/cotutelle PhD Agreement and are in accordance with the legislation and regulation in force at the institution where the Thesis defence shall take place.

Diploma

1. After the successful public defence of the PhD Thesis, the PhD Degree is awarded by both institutions in the Cycle of Studies at which the PhD Student was registered.
2. Each institution issues a separate diploma attesting the awarded degree, according to the applicable legal framework.
3. The text of the diploma must specify that it is a diploma concerning a Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Degree carried out at both institutions.
4. When the PhD Thesis public defence takes place at the partner institution (other than the UC), and after the supporting documents are received and validated by the other institution, the PhD student completes the PhD Degree Course, and a diploma mentioning the Jointly Supervised/Cotutelle PhD Degree Course may be issued if he/she requires it.

These provisions enter into force in the 2025/2026 Academic Year.