About the Cotutelle Program
A cotutelle program is a type of dual degree program, in which a doctoral student is co-supervised by two supervisors, each from a different university, and the student spends time at each institution. The student writes one thesis, under the supervision of an advisory committee comprised of members from both universities. Upon completion, the student receives two degrees, each acknowledging that the degree was completed as a dual degree program, noting the partner institution. While a dual degree program is an agreement between two programs at two institutions, a cotutelle program is an agreement tailored to an individual student studying at two institutions.
Cotutelle programs will exist through an approved cotutelle Ph.D. program agreement.
Cotutelle Ph.D. program agreements at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are administered by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS).
Student Eligibility
The minimum admission requirements for the doctoral program must be met. Admission requirements for each program can be found on the program's page.
A students must be within the first two years of his/her program to enter into a cotutelle program.
Application & Approval Process
University of Saskatchewan Students
Students currently studying in a doctoral program at the University of Saskatchewan should discuss the option with their current supervisor before proceeding. If the supervisor and home academic unit are agreeable, the student should contact the partner university and identify a potential supervisor.
Once a supervisor at the partner university has been identified, a Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted, using the template provided on the CGPS website, to the CGPS Program Coordinator, for approval by CGPS. Once the NOI is approved by the CGPS, the two supervisors and the student must prepare a cotutelle Ph.D. program agreement using the template and submit it to the CGPS Program Coordinator, for approval by CGPS.
Students from Other Institutions
Students currently studying in a doctoral program at another institution should contact their program of interest at the University of Saskatchewan to find a supervisor. After a University of Saskatchewan supervisor has been identified, a Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted, using the template provided on the CGPS website, to the CGPS Program Coordinator, for approval by CGPS.
Once the NOI is approved, the student and co-supervisors prepare a cotutelle Ph.D. program agreement, using the template provided on the CGPS website, and submit it to the CGPS Program Coordinator, for approval by CGPS. After receiving approval the student should apply online for admission to the USask Ph.D. program. The student must be offered admission by both institutions prior to the final approval of the cotutelle Ph.D. program agreement. The institutional offers of admission and final approval of the cotutelle Ph.D. program agreement should occur within one year of the signing of the NOI.