Co-tutorship Agreement

The co-tutorship of PhD theses is an opportunity addressed to the PhD candidates aimed at achieving a double PhD degree, jointly issued by two (or more) Universities.

The doctoral thesis, made under the guidance of two supervisors (or thesis directors), is discussed in a single venue and, after the discussion, following the favorable judgment of the jury, will be issued, by both contracting universities, the double PhD degree.
The co-tutelle of theses is established by a special agreement between the Universities involved and can be stipulated in favour of a doctoral candidate, preferably enrolled in the 1^st year of a PhD programme.

Beneficiaries

In principles, there are two types of co-tutorship:

OUTGOING co-tutorship: the PhD candidate is enrolled in a Luiss PhD Programme, consequently Luiss is the Home University. Luiss requires the attendance of the courses and a period of research at Luiss Guido Carli at least for 18 months, for a three-year programme, or 24 months for a four-year programme. Normally it is required by the partner University (Host University) to spend an equivalent time there, conducting research and/or attending courses.

INCOMING co-tutorship: the PhD candidate is enrolled in a PhD programme at a University different than Luiss, consequently Luiss is the Host University. Luiss requires the candidate to spend a research period at Luiss of at least 18 months, for a three-year programme, or 24 months for a four-year programme. Normally it is required by the partner University (Home University) to spend an equivalent time there, conducting research and/or attending courses.

Please consider that these are generic guidelines that mat vary depending on several factors such as the regulation in force in the Universities involved and the Italian ministerial rules. 

Requirements and procedures

The fundamental requirements to fulfill to stipulate a Co-tutorship Agreement are:

1. To be enrolled in a PhD programme (at Luiss OR at a different University), according to the regulations in force in the country where the PhD programme is offered (i.e. in Italy the minimum duration of the PhD is three years);
2. To receive a favorable opinion of the Luiss Academic Board or of the corresponding body in the partner institution;
3. To stipulate an agreement signed by the two legal representatives/Rectors of the Universities involved;
4. To carry out the research in alternate periods (approximately equivalent at each University involved), under the supervision of the two thesis directors/supervisors (one for each of the two partner universities);

It is suggested that appropriate contacts be made with the relevant administrative offices at both universities to:

1. verify the compliance of the requirements of each university involved with the regulation in force in each country;
2. identify a professor at both universities that can act as thesis supervisor;

Please consider that in any case the PhD Office and Luiss Academic Board have to evaluate and approve each request of co-tutorship. In case of impossibility come to an agreement with the University proposed by the candidate, the co-tutorship agreement will not be stipulated.