FAQ
Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions concerning the cotutelle doctorate at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. For general questions relating to the doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne, please see the FAQ of the Central Doctoral Office.
What is a cotutelle doctorate (binational Joint Supervision / cotutelle de these / cotutela di tesi)?
A cotutelle doctorate is a doctoral dissertation project that is conducted under the joint supervision at two universities in different countries and including research periods at both institutions. A cotutelle is aiming at a jointly awarded doctoral degree. All conditions important for the doctoral procedure are laid down in a cotutelle agreement that is prepared individually for each doctoral student and that is signed by the doctoral student, the two supervisors, and representatives of the participating faculties and/or the university governance.
What are the advantages of a cotutelle doctorate?
Cotutelle doctorates are intended for doctoral students whose research projects require the involvement of two universities or who would like to become equally familiar with the research cultures of two countries. The individual cotutelle agreement guarantees supervision of the doctoral research project by a supervisor at a university outside Germany and simplifies the organisation of research stays abroad. In addition, complex procedures for recognition of the doctoral degree can be avoided since it can be used in the forms that are recognised in both countries.
What is the deadline for the Faculty to negotiate on a cotutelle agreement?
The cotutelle agreement has to be compiled in the first two years after the candidate's admission to doctoral studies at one of the two participating universities.
What is the difference between the home university and the host university?
In the cotutelle procedure between two universities, one of them always plays the leading role as the home university or first partner, and the host university or second partner is acting as the partner institution. The oral doctoral examination takes place at the home university, concluding the doctoral procedure. The doctoral procedure is usually oriented towards the requirements of the home university, for example in relation to course credits and examinations to be completed, documentation, submission deadlines, and publication of the dissertation. However, some universities participate in the cotutelle procedure as a host university only if additional conditions are met. Such conditions will be negotiated by the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School with the partner institution and laid down in the cotutelle agreement.
Which universities outside Germany can be considered as partner universities?
All universities that are recognised internationally as such and are interested in conducting a joint supervision procedure can be recognised as a partner university.
Is there an obligation to be resident at both partner universities?
Yes, a Cotutela agreement requires attendance at both participating universities, whereby the greater part of the doctoral studies should be spent at the home university. The stay at the host university must be at least six months. Participation in a cotutelle requires that you live at one of the two university locations for the entire duration of doctoral studies.
Can I apply for funding for a Cotutela doctorate at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities?
No. The cotutelle agreement is a supplement to a regular doctoral procedure; it is not a doctoral programme of its own, nor is it connected to a particular funding programme. No special funding is available for cotutelle doctorates at the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities. It is therefore the responsibility of the participating doctoral students to ensure that they are able to finance the mandatory stays abroad. However, the Central Doctoral Office of the University of Cologne has longstanding experience in supervising cotutelle doctorates and provides support to doctoral students in handling all bureaucratic matters.
Do I have to pay tuition fees at both universities involved?
No. All cotutelle agreements rule out double tuition fees. However, double administrative costs (semester fees, etc.) may be unavoidable.
Is a cotutelle doctorate at the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities connected to a particular model of doctoral studies?
No, cotutelle doctorates are possible for all doctoral students in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The University of Cologne is host university/second partner of my cotutelle doctorate. Can I enrol at the University of Cologne?
Doctoral students for whom the University of Cologne is the host university/second partner of their cotutelle doctorate are welcome to enrol for doctoral studies for the period of their research stay and as set out in the cotutelle agreement. Please contact the cotutelle office for further information. If both supervisors agree, doctoral students can apply to enrol for up to half of the total regular duration of the doctorate.
What is a 'jointly awarded doctoral degree'?
A 'jointly awarded doctoral degree' may be used in the forms of the two countries involved, i.e. the recipient has the right to use the doctoral degree either in the form “Dr. phil.” of the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities or in the form of the second partner institution. This means candidates are not awarded two doctoral degrees – even though some institutions speak of a 'double degree'. The doctoral degree is awarded either with the issue of a doctoral diploma by each of the participating universities, each of which contains a reference to the binational joint supervision of the dissertation and the partner institution. Alternatively, only the doctoral diploma of the home university is issued and an additional certificate is signed jointly by both universities, hereby confirming the binational co-supervision and the joint award of the doctoral degree.
What exactly is laid down in a cotutelle agreement?
A cotutelle agreement is a bilateral agreement signed by the doctoral student, the two supervisors and representatives of the participating faculties and/or the university governance. The agreement is established in accordance with the relevant legal frameworks of the participating institutions, based on a model agreement and tailored to the needs of the doctoral candidate. In general, the procedure should be oriented towards the doctoral regulations of the home university, to the extent possible. The following points in particular are regulated in the agreement:
1. Admission to doctoral studies
2. Enrolment at the two universities
3. Determination of the two supervisors (by signing the agreement, they agree to fulfil their roles as supervisors unconditionally)
4. Minimum duration of the stay at the host university/second partner (and the achievements to be performed there, as appropriate)
5. Format and modalities of the oral examination and reviewing procedure (incl. languages)
6. Language of the dissertation
7. Intellectual property rights, as appropriate
8. Preparation of certificates
Regarding 1)
On the part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, admission to doctoral studies must only take place at one of the two partner institutions. In the event that the University of Cologne acts as host university/second partner, admission to the home university can be recognised, provided that a corresponding Master's degree with a minimum grade of 2.4 according to the German grading system is available.
Regarding 2)
It is possible to enrol at both universities. Doctoral students for whom the University of Cologne is the host university/second partner can enrol as guest student.
Regarding 4)
The minimum duration of the stay at the host university/second partner is usually one semester. Some universities require that the stay at the host university/second partner is at least one year. Doctoral students should spend the larger part of their doctorates at their home universities.
Regarding 5)
The modalities of the oral examination include, among other things, the language of the examination and the composition of the examination committee in terms of number and university affiliation. In accordance with the Doctoral Regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, it is desirable that both supervisors participate in the reviewing procedure and as voting members of the examination committee.
Regarding 6)
In accordance with the doctoral regulations of the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, dissertations may be prepared in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, or Latin. Other foreign languages are permissible upon application if appropriate assessment by the faculty members of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities can be assured. In the case of cotutelle doctorates, it is customary to prepare a summary in the language of the host university. However, the summary can also be prepared in a different language, depending on the agreement.
Regarding 8)
If the University of Cologne is the home university, then publication of the dissertation must be demonstrated before the doctoral degree is awarded. This is to occur within two years of the oral examination. The rules concerning the obligation to publish are laid down in the doctoral regulations.
Where can I find more information on the cotutelle procedure?
Further general information is available on the website of the Conference of University Rectors.