You would like to apply for a PhD in France

To enrol for a doctorate in France, you need to find a thesis subject and a thesis director before being able to apply, provided that the relevant doctoral school accepts your application.

If you wish to enrol for a doctorate at the University of Lille, you must :

• Have a Master's degree or equivalent;
• Submit or apply for a thesis project in collaboration with a thesis supervisor.

All applications are reviewed by the doctoral schools according to their own procedures. 

For more information on prerequisites and the admission procedure, see the ‘’PhD‘’ page of the University of Lille website, as well as Campus France website for doctoral application procedures for applying for a doctorate.

At the University of Lille, every effort has been made to ensure your stay goes as smoothly as possible. We are here to support you throughout your doctoral studies.
The International Office:

The Maison Internationale :

It handles essential procedures, such as applying for a hosting agreement, a document that is essential for your visa application. Upon your arrival, you will receive a personalised welcome at your research unit and your Doctoral School.

For further information, please contact the Maison Internationale.

Euraxess:

To help you settle in, the Euraxess Lille Nord de France office is available to guide you through administrative procedures, from opening a bank account to finding accommodation. Visit the Euraxess portal.

Contact Euraxess:

• Email address: euraxessarobaseuniv-lillepointfr
• Euraxess telephone: +33 (0) 3 20 43 41 07
• Click on the EURAXESS LinkedIn link

Welcome E-desk:

This online platform guides you step by step, from applying for a visa to obtaining health insurance. Visit Welcome E-desk.

The International Relations Department assists future doctoral students and their host research units with the steps required to set up a joint thesis.

Objective

Co-supervision of a thesis enables a student registered at the University of Lille or at a foreign partner university to carry out a thesis alternating between the two institutions.

This procedure is based on :

• A clear division of work periods in each institution.
• A predefined distribution of the costs associated with the thesis.

At the end of the thesis, the doctoral student obtains :

• The degree of doctor of the University of Lille.
• The equivalent degree from the foreign partner university.

Administrative provisions

• Agreement

A specific agreement is drawn up for each PhD agreement (cotutelle). It sets out the administrative, teaching and financial arrangements between the institutions concerned.

• Duration of the thesis and mobility

The thesis alternates between the two countries. The period of mobility in the partner institution must represent a minimum of 12 months spread over the total duration of the thesis.

• Registration

The doctoral student must register annually with both institutions in accordance with the procedures in force in each country. Registration fees are paid at one institution only (as defined in the agreement). Exemption from fees at the other institution is granted on presentation of a registration certificate.

Link to the directory of doctoral schools at the University of Lille.

Are you a PhD student at a foreign university and would like to undertake a research placement in one of our research units, without being enrolled at the University of Lille?

• For a stay of less than one month:

Please send an email directly to the research unit of your choice (see the list below), attaching your CV and a description of your research project (maximum 2–3 pages).

• For a stay of more than one month:

The University of Lille laboratory researcher hosting agreement is mandatory. It must be drawn up in triplicate and signed by the PhD student, the director of the host research unit and the President of the University of Lille, as well as the President or Rector of the home university. It must be completed and sent electronically to the host research unit at least one month before the start of the research visit, so that the Legal Department can verify its compliance and arrange for it to be signed.

Link to Access the list of Research Units: https://www.univ-lille.fr/en/research/identifying-a-research-structure/research-units

Completing a PhD requires a commitment of several years, as well as adequate funding. Here are the main options:

• PhD contract: a stable income provided by higher education institutions.
• Research projects: funding from companies or public bodies.
• Additional work: teaching, temporary work, etc.
• Scholarships: offered by various institutions and foundations.

To maximise your chances, put together a strong application and start the process early. You should also consult your supervisor or doctoral school for personalised advice.

From undergraduate to postdoctoral level, the Campus France directory lists the various financial support programmes offered by government bodies, local authorities, companies, foundations and higher education institutions, and allows you to search for opportunities tailored to your profile. Consult the directory