Stages of the doctoral journey
juri | Louvain-la-Neuve
Considering a PhD at UCLouvain? Here are the key stages of your academic journey from application to thesis defense.
Each stage is governed by specific rules, and you will be supported throughout: whether by your supervisor, the doctoral school, and/or the domain’s doctoral committee.
Finding a Supervisor (Thesis Director)
This is a key step: initiating contact with a university professor authorized to supervise research, and either proposing your own topic or expressing interest in one they suggest. Engaging in dialogue will eventually help you secure funding — a process that can take between 6 months and 1 year.
Tip: Visit the websites of research centers to identify professors whose interests align with yours.
Joint PhD Supervision (Co-tutelle)
Would you like to pursue your PhD at UCLouvain as part of a joint supervision agreement with another university? This arrangement, which leads to a dual doctoral degree, involves shared supervision by two advisors and a doctoral path that meets the requirements of both institutions.
To learn how to officially request a cotutelle agreement, consult the step-by-step guide available on UCLouvain’s dedicated webpage.