International Max Planck Research School
on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy
 


Cotutelle

Cotutelle is a Franco-German Doctoral Program in Economic Sociology and Political Economy offered jointly by Sciences Po and the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies and the University of Cologne.
 

The Program

As of 2010 the Max-Planck-Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne and the University of Cologne offer a joint doctoral program with Sciences Po in Paris. The program is supported by the Franco-German University.
 
The joint doctoral program enables students from Sciences Po Paris and the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE) in Cologne to pursue a German and a French doctoral degree simultaneously (cotutelle de thèse). Degrees will be granted in sociology or political science. Doctoral research projects are limited to the research fields of economic sociology, political economy or organization studies. Students entering the program must hold a master's degree or equivalent.
 
Students enrolled in the Franco-German Doctoral Program spend at least three semesters at the partner institution. During the course of the program they take courses, conduct research and write a dissertation under the joint supervision of advisors from both institutions. In addition, they benefit from research seminars offered jointly to students from both institutions. 
 
Each student is held to the requirements of both institutions, but the work done at the partner university is mutually recognized. The dissertation is defended only once, at the home institution, in order to qualify for the joint degree. The home institution's requirements regarding distributing and defending the dissertation apply. Upon successfully fulfilling the PhD program requirements, the doctoral candidate obtains a joint binational doctoral degree (cotutelle).
 
The PhD thesis can be written in English, French or German. An excellent command of at least two of these languages is mandatory, as well as a good working knowledge of the third. Most courses are taught in English.
 
Up to two students from each institution can enter the program per year.
 
Curriculum
 
 

Fellowship conditions

Students enrolling in the joint doctoral program will receive a fellowship for up to four years. The fellowship will first be granted for one year. Upon successful completion of the first year, it will be extended for another 12 months, until the defense of the prospectus. Upon the successful defence of the prospectus, the fellowship will be granted for an additional two years.
 

Applications

Applicants enrolling through the IMPRS-SPCE follow the regular application procedures for the IMPRS and indicate their interest in the Franco-German Doctoral Program by checking the box on the application form.
 
Interest in the Franco-German Doctoral Program does not affect an applicant's chances of being accepted into the IMPRS-SPCE.
 
Students applying for the Franco-German Doctoral Program should submit together with their application to the IMPRS-SPCE a three-to-five-page research proposal. This is required for admission to Sciences Po. In addition, one or two half-page outlines with ideas for other possible projects can be submitted.
 
Deadline for applications is March 15th.





Universität Köln Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung
last modified February 1, 2010