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Application

There are two ways to apply:

  1. By directly contacting a teacher-researcher at the Lebanese University to develop your research project together. The candidate will then submit the topic to EDST.
  2. By consulting the list of thesis topics on the EDST website and then contacting the teacher-researcher associated with the topic that interests you.

International Joint Supervision (Cotutelle) of a Thesis

The Lebanese University supports our doctoral school in its internationalization efforts. In this context, it has signed over 140 partnership agreements with higher education and research institutions in 13 countries, including 100 in France.

The principle of joint supervision is as follows:

  • International cotutelle allows a doctoral student to conduct their PhD in Lebanon and in another country. The student works in two research teams under the joint supervision of two thesis advisors.
  • Dual registration is mandatory each year at both institutions for the entire duration of the thesis, but tuition is required only at one of the two universities (registration at the other university is waived upon proof).
  • A cotutelle agreement must be established during the first year between the two universities to which the doctoral student is affiliated. It specifies, in particular, the supervision conditions, the alternating periods within each research team, and the procedures for forming the defense jury.
  • Award of a double doctoral degree.
  • Only one thesis defense.

The application file for a cotutelle thesis must include:

  1. A CV detailing academic and professional background.
  2. A motivation letter.
  3. A thesis project prepared in agreement with both supervisors, mentioning the two host laboratories (one at the Lebanese University and the other at a partner university). This 5-page project (including bibliography) may be written in French or English. It must specify the context, state of the art, problem statement, methodology, and the proposed work schedule.
  4. A letter of agreement from each thesis supervisor.
  5. A letter from the director of the foreign laboratory of the supervisor authorizing the candidate’s stay in their unit.
  6. A certificate of successful completion of the master’s degree.
  7. A scholarship certificate.
  8. Transcripts obtained in L3, M1, and all grades from M2 (with the possible exception of the internship grade if not yet obtained).
  9. Two letters of recommendation are strongly recommended. They should be sent directly to the doctoral school (edst@ul.edu.lb) by the letter writers.

This file must be submitted to EDST in person at our Hadath campus. It will then be evaluated by the EDST Scientific Council. Any incomplete file will be rejected.

Interview Format for Pre-selected Candidates

The candidate will give a 10-minute oral presentation on:

  • Their higher education background.
  • The two host laboratories.
  • The thesis topic they are applying for. For example, they may present the scientific relevance of the thesis topic, their motivation for it, and describe the strategy to be implemented to address the research question.

This presentation will be followed by a 10-minute discussion with the jury members.

  • Thesis supervisors are not present during the interview.
  • The interview may be conducted in English.

Fiche-de-Renseignement-pour-une-Inscription-en-These.docx LA-CHARTE-DE-THESE-EDST.doc