Global PhDs

The University of St Andrews is pleased to offer tailored opportunities for collaborative PhDs through our Global PhD programme. Global PhDs provide the ability for doctoral students to undertake research at both St Andrews and a nominated partner institution and with two (or more) academic supervisors. These programmes, often known as 'co-tutelles', encourage wider research collaboration than for many standard PhDs and give an international focus whilst making the most of subject-matter expertise from a range of partners. They lead to a jointly awarded degree from the two institutions and involve at least 12 months of research at each university.

To discuss a potential co-tutelle degree, please contact the Global Office by emailing globalphds@st-andrews.ac.uk.

The University of St Andrews welcomes interest in developing new Global PhD programmes. For more information, please see our Global PhDs - information for partners (PDF) .

A Global PhD is an arrangement whereby a student conducts their doctoral research under co-supervisors from two institutions, leading to a jointly awarded degree. Students studying under these agreements are usually awarded a joint degree via a single certificate which carries the insignia of both institutions.

The student is expected to engage with both institutions from start to finish, and to meet regularly with all parties, either in person or through phone or video calls.

A Global PhD agreement will not usually extend the duration of a standard PhD which at St Andrews is three years with the possibility of a final continuation year.
Before applying, students should contact their prospective supervisors at St Andrews and the partner institution to discuss the feasibility of a Global PhD agreement. Students must demonstrate a strong case for joint supervision on their application form.

A Global PhD arrangement can be initiated by either an academic at St Andrews or an academic at a partner institution who considers a co-tutelle with a named co-supervisor to be the optimal route for their prospective PhD student.

Students should apply online using the Postgraduate Research Application form, indicating that they intend to study for a co-tutelle.

The length of the application process will depend on whether St Andrews already has an existing agreement or links in place with the partner institution. If there is no formal agreement in place, both parties will have to carry out relevant due diligence checks to ensure that both institutions can provide the best outcome for the student. In most cases, this will require a formal agreement to be drawn up between St Andrews and the partner institution which may lengthen the application process. Some institutions have very lengthy internal approval processes that might delay the start of studies. It is therefore advisable for students to apply well in advance of the intended start date; you should begin the processes not less than six months prior to the intended start date of the degree.

At St Andrews, a Global PhD requires a proposal to be submitted by the supervisor in consultation with the co-supervisor and the student as well as an application form. Proposals and applications should both be submitted as early as possible in the process as an offer cannot be confirmed unless the formal agreement is in place.

For more information, please see our Global PhDs - information for candidates (PDF)

Global PhD partners

Students should be aware that not all institutions offer co-tutelle degrees. Students should also check to see if the scholarships and funding arrangements they have in place allow for a co-tutelle.

St Andrews has established co-tutelle agreements with a range of partners in the past and usually has a number of current arrangements underway. So long as both institutions and both supervisors are willing to enter into a co-tutelle partnership, you may apply for one with any relevant institution.

St Andrews also currently has agreements with the following partner institutions which students may apply to:

The University of St Andrews and Ghent University have established an agreement to allow PhD candidates to undertake research leading to the award of a joint doctoral degree across the following Schools of Arts and Divinity:
- Art History
- Classics
- Divinity
- English
- Film Studies
- History
- International Relations
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy
- Social Anthropology.
St Andrews and Ghent joint PhDs in Arts and Divinity
The University of St Andrews and Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn have established an agreement to allow PhD candidates to undertake research leading to joint doctoral degrees in the Faculties of Arts and Divinity (Word). Global PhDs are available in all academic disciplines within the faculties, and particularly for joint doctoral degrees in German and Comparative Literature and joint doctoral degrees in Mediaeval History or Modern History.

St Andrews and Bonn joint PhD in History

Global PhDs

What is a Global PhD?

How will I split my time between the two institutions?

How do I apply for a Global PhD?

Global PhD partners

Arts and Divinity PhD degrees with Ghent

Arts, Divinity and Science PhD degrees with Macquarie University

Classics PhD joint degrees with Sapienza University of Rome

Arts and Divinity PhD degrees with the University of Bonn

Philosophy MPhil or PhD degrees with the University of Stirling

Philosophy PhD degrees with the University of Oslo

Philosophy PhD degrees with the University of Amsterdam