The "European PhD" label
University Paris-Est can award its doctoral candidates a "European label" (also known as "Doctor Europaeus”, "European PhD", "European Doctorate").
This system is based on:
- the Order of 7 August 2006 amending the Order of 25 April 2002 on doctoral studies,
- the principles identified by the Conference of University Presidents concerning the "European PhD".
The "European PhD" consists of a traditional PhD qualification plus a "European label" certificate issued by University Paris-Est and signed by its President. The "European label" can only be issued when four conditions are met. The PhD student may then apply when the thesis defence is being organized:
- at least one term of the PhD course is spent in a European country other than the one where the thesis will be defended;
- permission to defend the thesis is granted on the basis of reports produced by at least two teachers from higher education establishments in two different EU states other than the one in which the thesis will be defended;
- at least one member of the jury must come from a higher education establishment in a European country other than the one where the thesis is defended;
- part of the defence is performed in a European language other than the national language(s) of the country where the thesis is defended.
This system is separate from but can be combined with the cotutelle one.
The label does not appear on the PhD certificate but it forms a powerful tool for promoting doctoral training internationally.
In practice:
A candidate who wishes to obtain the "European label" must just inform their doctoral school before they defend their thesis.
