Long-term cooperation with partner institutions
Get information about doctoral studies in cooperation with another institution including cotutelle, collaborative PhD or joint co-supervision.
PhD candidate Supervisor Doctoral Board
Basic information and types of cooperation
Doctoral studies need not be limited to MU. There are several options for long-term cooperation with partner institutions in doctoral studies. Here you can learn more about the unique opportunity to broaden your professional and personal horizons, and to gain experience and contacts in a different research environment.
An agreement signed by all parties governs the cooperation between MU (in most cases), an international partner institution and the PhD candidate. Such cooperation can take the form of:
- Cotutelle – based on an agreement on dual supervision of the doctoral thesis
- Joint co-supervision – based on an agreement on joint supervision of the doctoral thesis
- Collaborative PhD / Collaborative Doctorate – based on an agreement on collaborative doctorate (aka industrial PhD)
Details including methodology and contract templates are to be found under Types of individual contracts.
Joint doctoral degree programmes, known abroad for example as Mobility Window, are established through cooperation between Masaryk University and one or more partner institutions. Masaryk University is responsible for the accreditation of the programme, student admissions, curriculum, and the awarding of degrees.
The cooperation consists of coordinated study visits at the partner institution abroad for PhD candidates of an MU programme, often supported through international mobility schemes (such as Erasmus+). The cooperation may, but need not be reciprocal.
Details are under Joint Degree Programmes of the Centre for International Cooperation website.
Jointly accredited doctoral degree programmes are based on cooperation between Masaryk University and one or more institutions in the design, accreditation and implementation of a joint programme. The study ends with the award of a joint degree or multiple degrees; all participating institutions are responsible for the entire programme.
Such degree programmes are always newly accredited, and the participating institutions are bound by a Cooperation Agreement in accordance with the Guideline entitled Preparation of Degree Programmes In Cooperation With a Foreign Higher Education Institution, issued by the RMU Quality Office.
- Double or Multiple Degree – lead to the award to two or more nationally recognized diplomas officially issued by two or more institutions participating in the joint programme.
- Joint Degree – a single joint diploma issued by at least two of the participating institutions is awarded.
Details are to be found here:
- Information for Degree Programme Guarantors, a web page of the Quality Office
- Joint Degree Programmes, a web page of the Centre for International Cooperation
If, in the case of long-term cooperation on the preparation of the doctoral thesis, the PhD candidate is employed by a partner institution in the Czech Republic and a cooperation agreement has been concluded between the faculty and the partner, the PhD candidate´s wages from such employment are part of their doctoral study income.
For more information see Section 91a of the Higher Education Act, Section 8 of MU Scholarship and Bursary Regulations, and the Funding page.
Types of individual contracts
The PhD candidate is enrolled in a doctoral degree programme at MU and a partner higher education or research institution.
- They work under the guidance of a supervisor from each of these institutions on a common research topic that is the subject of one doctoral thesis.
- The PhD candidate visits both institutions during the studies.
- The defence of the doctoral thesis takes place before a joint examination board (only rarely is the defence held separately at the individual institutions).
After completing their studies, the graduate is awarded a degree and a diploma both at MU and at the partner institution (a joint degree may be conferred, but this is a rare situation). The partner institution is stated in the diploma, and international cooperation is also mentioned in the diploma supplement issued at MU. The graduate uses only one of the degrees at a time.
The cooperation agreement is based on the applicable laws of the Czech Republic and on MU internal regulations as well as on the laws and regulations of the partner institution. The agreement defines the organization and course of studies, the thesis defence and responsibilities of the PhD candidate and cooperating institutions. The agreement is signed by the PhD candidate, the supervisor from the relevant faculty and the dean on behalf of MU; for the partner institution, the agreement is signed by the supervisor and the statutory representative (the dean, rector or more persons in some cases).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The partners may have differing ideas of the number of examination board members and supervisors’ representation in the board. How to reconcile these differences?
The number of examination board members and composition of the board are set out in Section 33 of the SE Regulations. Exception may be granted by the dean under Section 34(2) of the SE Regulations.
However, it is advisable to modify the faculty documents concerning appointment of the board members, whereas it must be clear that the different composition of the board has been approved by the Doctoral Board and the dean. Therefore, the Doctoral Board should issue a proposal that certain persons be appointed as members of the examination board, based on the cotutelle agreement and in accordance with Section 33(2) and (5) and Section 34(2) of the SE Regulations, and the (vice)dean should subsequently appoint such persons based on the mentioned documents.
Are external members of the examination board from the partner university or is it desirable (or necessary) for them to be from other institutions as well?
It is certainly desirable that some members are from an institution other than the partner institution.
Is it necessary to use the MU template of the cooperation agreement?
You can also use a template of the foreign partner.
However, it must be prepared in a language that can be understood at MU (English, or another language and English, or another language and Czech) and must be properly checked before signing and probably also adjusted to meet the requirements of Czech laws and MU internal regulations.
The agreement is checked by the faculty office responsible for doctoral studies as well as by the RMU PhD Centre.
The PhD candidate is only enrolled in a doctoral degree programme at MU.
- They work under the guidance of an MU supervisor and have another supervisor or consultant at a partner institution that is entitled to carry out doctoral studies.
- Under their guidance, the PhD candidate works on one research topic that is the subject of one doctoral thesis.
- The PhD candidate visits both institutions during the studies.
- The defence of the doctoral thesis takes place before an examination board at MU, whereas the supervisor or consultant from the partner institution may become a member of the board.
After the successful completion of studies, the graduate is awarded a degree and a diploma only at MU. The partner institution is mentioned in the diploma supplement.
The cooperation agreement is based on the applicable laws of the Czech Republic and on MU internal regulations; requirements arising from the laws and regulations of the partner institution must also be taken into account. The agreement defines the organization and course of studies, the thesis defence and responsibilities of the PhD candidate and supervisor or consultant at the cooperating institution. The agreement is signed by the PhD candidate, the supervisor from the relevant faculty and the dean on behalf of MU; for the partner institution, the agreement is signed by the supervisor or consultant and the statutory representative (the dean, rector or more persons in some cases).
Frequently asked questions
Is it necessary to use the MU template of the cooperation agreement?
You can also use a template of the foreign partner.
However, it must be prepared in a language that can be understood at MU (English, or another language and English, or another language and Czech) and must be properly checked before signing and probably also adjusted to meet the requirements of Czech laws and MU internal regulations.
The agreement is checked by the faculty office responsible for doctoral studies as well as by the RMU PhD Centre.
The PhD candidate is enrolled in a doctoral degree programme at MU under the guidance of their supervisor. At the same time, they cooperate with an international or Czech institution operating in the applied sector, which provides a consultant. Under the supervisor’s guidance and with the consultant’s feedback, the PhD candidate works on a research topic that is the subject of the doctoral thesis to be defended at MU.
The graduate is awarded a degree and a diploma by MU. The cooperation with the applied sector partner is mentioned in the diploma supplement.
The cooperation agreement defines the organization and course of studies, the thesis defence and rules of work at the partner institution and regulates the responsibilities of the PhD candidate and cooperating institutions. The agreement is signed by the PhD candidate, the supervisor from the relevant faculty and the dean on behalf of MU; for the partner institution, the agreement is signed by the consultant and an authorized person.
Detailed methodology and template of collaborative PhD agreement
Frequently asked questions
Is it necessary to use the MU template of the cooperation agreement?
You can also use a template of the foreign partner.
However, it must be prepared in a language that can be understood at MU (English, or another language and English, or another language and Czech) and must be properly checked before signing and probably also adjusted to meet the requirements of Czech laws and MU internal regulations.
The agreement is checked by the faculty office responsible for doctoral studies as well as by the RMU PhD Centre.
Preparation of individual contracts
This ideally takes place before admission to MU or immediately after admission. An individual contract can be concluded at any stage of the doctoral studies. However, it is preferable to conclude it at the beginning of the studies so that the cooperation is formalized and the studies are regulated by such an agreement.
1. At MU
- The applicant (or PhD candidate) discusses with an MU potential (current) supervisor the possibilities and terms of long-term cooperation with a partner institution.
- They also contact the faculty office responsible for doctoral studies, learn about the types of individual contracts and the process of agreement preparation. They can also get the template of an agreement.
2. At the partner institution
- The applicant (or PhD candidate) finds a potential supervisor/consultant at the partner institution and discusses the terms of doctoral studies based on long-term cooperation with the institution.
- Then the PhD candidate contacts the department administering PhD studies at the relevant institution and gets information about the chosen type of individual contract and the process of drafting the agreement.
- The PhD candidate checks whether it is possible to use the sample agreement of MU or whether the institution’s template must be used.
3. Confirmation of cooperation
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The applicant (or PhD candidate) and both supervisors (or the supervisor and consultant) agree to the intention to undertake the doctoral studies based on the selected individual contract.
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It has been agreed that the conditions for doctoral studies at both institutions enable the given type of cooperation and are complementary.
- After the PhD candidate is admitted to MU, a cooperation agreement is prepared in accordance with one of the institution’s template. It usually takes several weeks to months until the final draft; the wording is checked by the MU faculty office responsible for doctoral studies and a representative of the PhD Centre.
- The text of the agreement is finally confirmed by both institutions, both supervisors (or the supervisor and consultant) and the PhD candidate.
- Then the agreement is signed by the representatives of both institutions (the dean of the relevant faculty on behalf of MU), both supervisors (or the supervisor and consultant) and the PhD candidate and as the case may be, other persons, e.g. the Doctoral Board chair.
- During the course of study, it is possible to modify the agreement by a written amendment which, after review and final confirmation by all parties involved, is again signed by the parties to the agreement.
- The signed agreement is registered in IS MU, section Academic Records.
- Well in advance of each trip to the partner institution under an individual contract, the PhD candidate shall inform the designated employee from the faculty office for doctoral studies about the date of departure to the partner institution and the date of return to MU. The PhD candidate shall be available for any necessary administrative tasks in accordance with the employee’s instructions.