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Doctoral College

Cotutelle Model

Cotutelles

We use Cotutelle agreements (also known as dual or double degrees) for individual students who want the benefits of being enrolled at two (Warwick and a non-UK) institutions, with joint supervision and the other advantages that follow. Cotutelles differ from joint PhDs in that each one is bespoke to a single student, rather than an agreement to run a full programme across two institutions. It is possible to use Cotutelles as a precursor to establishing a joint PhD.

Students on cotutelles are usually from overseas institutions. It is possible to have an arrangement for a student based at another UK HEI but this is exceptional and usually requires a reciprocal agreement.

Cotutelles are normally established and signed-off before the student has enrolled in their first year at their home university. Exceptionally we can negotiate a Cotutelle after a student has started their studies but no later than two years in.

Steps to arrange a Cotutelle:

  1. The supervisor discusses the proposed arrangement with a senior member of staff in the department, normally the Director of Graduate Studies;

  2. If the Department supports the proposal, the supervisor writes a statement outlining the academic and strategic case for the Cotutelle. Agreements are expected to underpin, build upon or initiative a relationship with an overseas institution that supports the departmental strategy. The statement should be submitted todoctoralcollege@warwick.ac.uk;

  3. The Chair of the Board of Graduate Studies (BGS) will consider the proposal;

  4. If approved, the supervisor discusses how to approach negotiating the agreement with the Head of the Doctoral College (Note that the negotiation of a Cotutelle can take several months. There are legal and quality assurance positions that need to be understood by both parties and common ground established);

  5. The Head of Department will be asked to sign an FP11;

  6. The Doctoral College will liaise with the legal team to finalise the agreement and proceed to signing (usually the Provost for Warwick, the equivalent for the partner institution, and the student);

  7. Once the agreement has been exchanged and signed, the Doctoral College involvement ends and the student follows standard processes for enrolling etc.

Key constituents of a Cotutelle:
Admission Students have to meet our normal admissions criteria (including English language) and follow the normal application process. The Cotutelle agreement is supplementary to their status as a student of Warwick.
Fees The student should only have to pay one set of fees, ideally to their home university. For students coming to Warwick under a Cotutelle agreement we need a decision from the department regarding a fee waiver, scholarship to cover the fees, or other option.
Duration Warwick PhDs are four years, but this isn’t necessarily the case with non-UK institutions, so this needs to be addressed. Students must spend a minimum of one year at each institution (in a single or multiple blocks).
Supervision The student is jointly supervised throughout the duration of their PhD. The two institutions will have to work out responsibilities around progression. All Warwick monitoring points need to be met.
Examination The requirements for examining theses vary by country – public v. private defence, possible outcomes of the examination, constitution of the examining panel. These need to be agreed together with the preferred language (if applicable). Occasionally there is a mismatch between the word limit requirements which should be factored into the agreement.
Certification The student receives an award from both institutions. It is helpful to agree up front on whether this will be two separate certificates or a single joint one.

Please contact the Head of the Doctoral College for further information.

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