Joint PhD (co-tutelle)

Background

A joint PhD arrangement (also known as co-tutelle or double doctoral degree) allows doctoral students to undertake a joint PhD with another university.

Candidates:

• are enrolled at both universities
• are supervised by both universities
• will receive two separate doctorate awards at graduation.

The prime intent of joint arrangements is that they form part of cooperative research collaboration between a faculty or research group at QUT and another international institution, rather than in respect of a particular candidature. It is an international cohort-building initiative.

We prefer that the agreement is negotiated from the start of candidature. We may, however, permit back-dated agreements in some circumstances where an International Cooperation Agreement is in place and all entry requirements are met. If you are coming into QUT from an international institution and have permanent residency status, we may consider you to  be a domestic student from the perspective of admission and fees.

International Cooperation Agreement

An International Cooperation Agreement (ICA) is also known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). An ICA between institutions is signed to facilitate the exchange and ensure that tutorship and study support is sufficiently accounted for.

This broader agreement:

• is agreed to before the development of the Joint PhD Agreement
• signals the on-going and long-standing relationship between the institutions
• lists the two supervisors who will undertake your joint supervision.

There may already be an ICA in effect. Any new arrangement should first be discussed with the manager of the Research Students Centre, or through review of the International Strategy Information system (ISIS) website, if access is available.

Joint PhD Agreement

This is a more detailed document. It outlines the arrangements pertaining to the particular candidature, and covers issues such as:

• supervision
• attendance periods at each institution
• course requirements at each institution
• copyright and intellectual property issues
• language of instruction.

You're expected to divide your candidature between the two countries with alternate stays in each (a minimum of one third in each country, which is 12 months for a full-time PhD student).

Both parties agree on one examination process as part of the initial agreement. Separate requirements and outcomes can be incorporated into this process. You'll be made fully aware of all special arrangements that apply to the agreement.

Joint PhD Agreement Checklist

This pro-forma document is internal to QUT. It helps faculties and divisions to ensure that appropriate details have been agreed to facilitate the Joint PhD arrangement within the QUT context in compliance with Australian requirements.

Fees

You'll pay your tuition fees to your home institution. If you're an international student we'd normally offer you a fee-waiver scholarship on this basis, if there is evidence that you receive a living allowance through home sponsorship or other arrangement.

You're responsible for arranging:

• the appropriate visa
• health cover
• insurance for your stay at QUT.

Administrative responsibilities

You should (following agreement with your supervisor and faculty):

• complete the Joint PhD Agreement form and organise sign-off at faculty or QUT level
• complete the PR form, if you are a domestic student or permanent resident, or the FR form (PDF file, 386.88 KB), if you are an international student, for admission to QUT's PhD program
• provide notarised copies of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications
• provide details of consumed load from previous or current PhD studies (if applicable)
• provide details of PhD milestone completion, e.g. confirmation (if applicable)
• provide details of any funding provided by the home institution for travel support or a living allowance.

The faculty should:

• complete the Joint PhD Agreement checklist
• nominate the principal supervisor who will provide a supporting statement to indicate why you are suitable for the program
• provide details of associate supervision
• submit a request to the Dean, Research and Research Training, for a QUT fee-waiver (if required). This should be sent with the completed FR form, outlining:
  • your eligibility
  • your funding arrangement while at QUT
  • your fit with the research objectives of the faculty.

Approval process

Each individual candidate's arrangements require the approval of:

• the relevant Head of School
• the Assistant Dean (Research) or nominee and
• the Dean of Research and Research Training.

The Assistant Dean (Research) or nominee should be satisfied that supervision and examination arrangements are satisfactory and that you fully understand these arrangements.

Detailed guidelines

More detailed information is available in the Joint PhD guidelines

Research Students Centre Joint PhD guidelines (DOC file, 174 KB).