Applying for doctoral (PhD) studies at UTC
The PhD is a professional experience that consists of undertaking 3 years of research in a university laboratory, a large research organization or a research-development-innovation centre within a company.
Requirements to a PhD registration
Requirements to a PhD registration
To be eligible to enrol for a thesis, candidates must hold a master’s degree from a French university or an equivalent master’s‑level qualification awarded following an educational programme demonstrating an ability for research.
Candidates who have achieved an equivalent level in a foreign university and candidates benefiting from accreditation for work experience (VAE) may enrol by providing evidence of master’s‑level studies approved by the Director of the Doctoral School (request for a special dispensation to make at the application).
Candidates must have a certified B1 level of proficiency in English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Ce niveau est attesté par la présentation du résultat à un test officiel (voir la liste des tests reconnus par l’UTC). UTC strongly recommends that candidates have a B2 level of proficiency in English.
English tests 2021
Submit your application:
- for a specific thesis topic (see the tab Finding a thesis subject)
- a specific thesis supervisor (or supervisors) from UTC Doctoral School (see the tab Finding a thesis subject)
- a UTC research unit (laboratory) (even if the thesis is partly done outside UTC)
- the doctoral candidate’s funding for the thesis duration (at least 3 years). (see Financial support for PhD studies)
Tuition fees
By decision of the French Ministry of Education, the tuition fees for the academic year 2021–2022 are set at:
- Doctorate, HDR: 380 €.
- CVEC (contribution to student and campus life): 92 € to pay the CVEC
Consult https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr / to pay this contribution. To help you with this process, the CROUS provides free telephone assistance service on +33 1.40.51.62.00 or +33 1.40.51.37.35 (for English-speaking international students).
- Sports association (optional): €30
- The “Tremplin” UTC alumni network (optional): 14 €.
- Students’ Union BDE-RED (optional): 20 €.
- The “Tremplin” UTC alumni network (optional): 14 €.
- Students’ Union BDE-RED (optional): 20 €.
The awarding of a UTC doctorate
The conditions relating to the awarding of a UTC doctorate are set out in detail in the Doctoral School Internal Regulations (Règlement intérieur de l’école doctorale), article 13:
- Writing of a thesis manuscript and defence before a PhD examining board
- Having had some training courses validated by the Doctoral School (scientific and technical skills, professional skills and language skills)
- Having attained the B2 level in English (certificate to be presented by the doctoral candidate)
- Having had his or her research work recognized, either through a patent or through the publication of work in at least one top-level journal or international conference.
The award of a doctorate as a validation of professional experience (VAE)
On the basis of professional research experience and original research work you might apply for a validation of professional experience (VAE in French) to get a doctorate. Research work can have happen outside academia (i.e. in a R&D office in a company). Candidates should contact UTC’s VAE office.
Finding a thesis subject
If you wish to apply for a thesis subject, here is the procedure to follow:
- Consult the proposals for thesis subjects, that are already funded.
Find here below, by research laboratory, the UTC thesis proposals funded by various supports. If you are interested in a topic in particular, appy via the ADUM portal and contact the thesis supervisor (see details in the proposal).
- Contact a potential thesis supervisor of a UTC research lab and discuss about a research project (topic and funding).
The research load, hence the thesis work, must be achieved in 3 years (full time).
- Find out more about funding.
- If you are a salaried employee and you want to make a part-time PhD, contact a potential thesis supervisor of a UTC research lab and discuss about a research subject.
- If you have a disability, you can of course apply to a UTC proposal. You could also consider applying to a Doctoral Contract intended for Handicap.
Updated May 20, 2022.
CONTACT : Chargée de communication de l'école doctorale – Salima Aaras-Andaloussi : 03 44 23 43 86 – salima.aaras-andaloussi@utc.fr
Application
Application forms
Registration to UTC Doctoral School develops in two separate phases:
1° Application (for admission) to the Doctoral School,
2° Administrative registration once you have gained admission from the Doctoral School.
1° Application
a. Application process is online via the ADUM platform.
Prepare the following documents:
- CV (curriculum vitae)
- covering letter
- copies of degree certificates previously obtained, or where applicable, a certificate with details of the degree that you are currently studying for
- proof of grades awarded for your last degree (Master level)
And seek for a reference letter (at least one) from someone in a position to assess your past research work. This person will upload her/his letter on the ADUM platform.
b. The thesis supervisor gives her/his opinion.
c. Applicants who receive an approval are interviewed by a jury.
2° Administrative registration
If the jury decide in favour of the application, the Doctoral School is able to declare an admission.
The applicant is then invited to registrer on the ADUM platform.
Please note that a certified B1 level of proficiency in English (see the list of English tests recognized by UTC) is required to registrer to a doctorate. The proof will be needed to registrer, if you are admitted.
Contact
Directrice de l'école doctorale
Christine Prelle
+33 (0)3 44 23 52 86
Contact
Responsable administrative
Marion Kaczkowski
+33 (0)3 44 23 44 10