It is a doctoral thesis performed at two universities in different countries, each of which will award a doctoral degree after a single thesis defence.

A cotutelle thesis requires:

• a supervisor at each university
• the doctoral student to perform a stay lasting at least 9 months at each university
• there to be an agreement signed by both universities specifying, among other things:
  • the specific periods of stay at each university
  • the supervisor at each university
  • the venue for the defence of the thesis
  • the composition of the tribunal
  • the thesis languages (written and defence)