Joint supervision and co-supervision of a thesis

A doctoral student who is co-supervised receives supervision from a UNIL thesis supervisor, in collaboration with a Professor from another university (both professors will be part of the jury). However, only the University of origin will be able to award the doctoral degree. Co-supervision of a thesis does not require the signing of an agreement.

Interested doctoral students should get in touch directly with the contact persons in the faculties listed below.

The joint supervision programme aims to develop scientific cooperation between two countries and to encourage mobility among doctoral students. The special feature of a joint supervision is that doctoral students carry out their research work under the joint responsibility of two thesis supervisors (one at the UNIL and one at an institution abroad). The thesis is only defended once but gives rise to two diplomas, one from the UNIL and one from the partner institution (with the joint supervision mentioned on each). It requires the doctoral student to be registered at both institutions.

The setting up of a joint supervision arrangement involves the signing of an agreement between the two institutions. A joint supervision Agreement may be signed with institutions with which the UNIL has signed a cooperation Agreement. For other universities, applications will be examined on a case by case basis by the International Relations Office. At the UNIL, a joint supervision Agreement may be signed during the first two years of registration as a doctoral student.

The signing of a joint supervision Agreement between two Swiss institutions is not possible, since registration at two Swiss universities is not permitted. In this case, co-supervision is suggested.

Information concerning the procedure to be followed and conditions for signing a joint supervision Agreement are indicated in the document below.

Sources of funding (websites in French)

• State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER)
• Other sources of funding

Information concerning requirements for signing a joint supervision Agreement, CRUS grants, signature of the Rector

Obtaining regulations for submission of a thesis, defence of a thesis, reimbursement of jury expenses, expertise, signature of the Dean, co-supervision, etc.