PhD Degrees

Studying abroad

The PhD student has the opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience at the international level, achieving the double degree: Joint Reasearch PhD Thesis (cotutela), or achieving the certification Doctor Europaeus.

Many of the international mobility opportunities managed centrally by Ca' Foscari University of Venice are open to PhD students:

Regulation of the PhD's [ITA]  

Joint Research PhD Thesis (Cotutela)

The Agreement for Joint Research PhD Thesis is a unique form of internationalization as it applies only to PhD students and provides a qualification that is valued in two different countries. The process of a Joint Research PhD Thesis requires a research period at both of the partner universities. The PhD thesis, written under the supervision of two Supervisors/professors, is then discussed, also via electronic communication, in a single location in front of a committee composed of members from both universities.

In order for a PhD student to participate, it is necessary to draft an Agreement for Joint Research PhD Thesis with the following structure:

  • Framework Agreement is a general document that contains a brief description of the scientific disciplinary areas of collaboration between the partner universities, the planned activities and the ways in which these programs will be implemented;
  • Protocol for Agreement for Joint Research PhD Thesis is an individual document (relating to a single PhD student) and specifies the conditions agreed upon between the two universities regarding the research period and the eventual title.

Joint Research theses with France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland, have already been determined within the national Framework Agreement.
The complete list of the Agreements for Joint Research PhD Thesis in force is available.

Cotutele Agreements
file pdf Active Cotutele Agreements [ITA] 255 KB

How to proceed

Contacts
ARic - Ufficio Dottorato di Ricerca - PhD Office

The Agreement for Joint Research PhD Thesis is only for PhD students enrolled in their first or second year (or third in case of PhD four year duration), who submit the application during the indicated deadlines.
We suggest you to apply within 1st year.
Exceptions may be made, but it is not permitted to apply for a Joint Research PhD Thesis once you have reached your last year of enrollment. All other forms of activation regarding the joint research PhD thesis are excluded.

  1. Identified at the foreign University by:
    1. A PhD course referring to, from a scientific point of view, the PhD program that you are enrolled in at Ca’ Foscari;
    2. one or more scientific references (Thesis Supervisor).
      It is recommended to the Phd student to contact the relevant departments of the institution chosen to verify compliance, timing and / or any anticipated constraints.
  2. Application for Outgoing Joint Research PhD Thesis [ITA] exclusevly via form online only during these periods:
    • from October 1st to 31st
    • from February 1st to 28th
    • from June 1st to 30th

    Before to apply, be sure to have these mandatory PDF file (maximum 10MB each) to upload:

    • Letter of support which certifies the Co-Tutorship of the PhD thesis, signed by foreign University Professor;
    • Programming of research activities in cotutela.
  3. Application examined by the appropriate Teaching Board of the PhD course at the end of each period of acceptance;
  4. Signing of the Agreement by both institutions involved;
  5. Enrollment at the foreign university.
  1. Enrollment in a PhD course at a foreign University;
  2. Identified at Ca’ Foscari by:
    1.  A PhD course referring to, from a scientific point of view, the PhD program that you are enrolled in abroad;
    2. one or more scientific references (Thesis Supervisor).
  3. Application for Incoming Joint Research PhD Thesis exclusevly via form online only during these periods:
    • from October 1st to 31st
    • from February 1st to 28th
    • from June 1st to 30th

    Before to apply, be sure to have these mandatory PDF file (maximum 10MB each) to upload:

    • Letter of support which certifies the Co-Tutorship of the PhD thesis, signed by a Ca’ Foscari University Professor;
    • Certificate certifying knowledge of the English language B2 level; for exemptions and recognized certifications consult the B2 level of English language web page; the B2 level shall in any case be possessed at the time of enrollment at our University;
    • Research Proposal;
    • Self-Certification (only for EU citizens) or valid proof of enrollment at PhD programme issued by Home University;
    • Signed Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum;
    • Copy of valid ID or Passport.
  4. Application examined by the appropriate Teaching Board of the PhD course at the end of each acceptance period;
  5. Signing of the Agreement by both institutions involved;
  6. Enrollment at Ca’ Foscari;
  7. Verification of research by the Thesis Supervisor and the Teaching Board of the PhD course both at the end of the period of admission for the next year and at the end of the final exam.

Specifically, in regards to the travel expenses sustained by members of the final Examination Board, all charges are the responsibility of the student’s home University.

Doctor Europaeus

The Doctor Europaeus Certificate is a further label attached to the PhD Degree issued nationwide. It is neither a supranational academic qualification nor a title awarded by international institutions. This certification relies on the clauses stipulated by the Confederation of European Union Rectors Conferences and is acknowledged by the European University Association.

The certificate is issued by Ca' Foscari University, after deliberation by the Teaching Board, provided that the following conditions have been met:

  • at least two professors from two higher education institutions of two European countries, other than the one where the PhD thesis will be defended, must give their judgement concerning the manuscript. These referees are appointed by the Teaching Board. In addition, the referee records must be attached to the final examination;
  • at least one member of the jury must come from a higher education institution in European countries, other than the one where the PhD thesis will be defended;
  • part of the defence must take place in one of the official languages, other than the one(s) of the country where the PhD thesis will be defended; 
  • the PhD thesis must partly have been prepared as a result of a period of research of at least one trimester spent in another European country.

Any PhD students interested in obtaining Doctor Europaeus are asked to contact the Teaching Board of the specific PhD.

Opportunities of international mobility

Many of the international mobility opportunities managed centrally by Ca' Foscari University of Venice are open to PhD students: