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Cotutelle Policy

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Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) The cotutelle has been established to develop partnerships between research institutions, including the facilitation of movement between countries of doctoral or research masters candidates under joint supervision and enrolment arrangements. The outcome of a joint doctoral or research masters thesis submission is that the candidate, following an agreed single examining process, receives an award from each institution, qualified by the statement that the degree was obtained under a cotutelle agreement.

(2) The doctoral or research masters candidate benefits under this conjoint arrangement in that the candidate has the opportunity to work and access the latest research equipment in two countries, and obtains awards that are recognised in two countries, thus facilitating professional mobility. The advantages of such agreements extend beyond the benefit to the individual candidate, and should be seen in the context of enhanced research cooperation between the two institutions and the two principal supervisors concerned.

(3) Candidates will be responsible for meeting costs such as travel and living expenses. Candidates in receipt of a scholarship granted by the University will continue to receive their stipend under the usual conditions of their award. There are no special University funds for travel of supervisors or examiners appointed under cotutelle agreements.

(4) A cotutelle agreement would normally be initiated in cases where there had been a history of research collaboration between the University and the nominated non-Australian university. The cotutelle policy does not intend to meet the needs of an individual candidature in the absence of an external research collaboration with a University of Western Sydney Research Institute (Institute), School, or Research Centre.

(5) To apply this policy there must be an agreement establishing the cotutelle agreement signed by the University, according to the Delegations (Administrative) Policy, and the non-Australian university.

(6) There must be an agreement for each individual candidature that addresses the specific candidature details outlined in the "Cotutelle Agreement" section below. The individual candidature agreement must be signed by the University of Western Sydney and the non-Australian university.

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Section 2 - Definitions

(7) Definitions for the purpose of this policy:

  1. Cotutelle means a joint research higher degree between the University of Western Sydney and a non-Australian university.
  2. The Dean is the Dean of a University School.
  3. The Director, Research Institute is the Director of a University Research Institute.
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Section 3 - Policy Statement

(8) Unless expressly varied by agreement, the following University policies will apply:

  1. Doctor of Philosophy Policy or Research Masters (Honours) Policy, which prescribe the arrangements for research higher degrees, except for specific additional requirements relating to examinations under a cotutelle, as specified below.
  2. Research Code of Practice
  3. Intellectual Property Policy
  4. Research Higher Degree Appeals Policy Misconduct - Higher Degree Research Candidate Misconduct in Research Policy

(9) Current University candidates and prospective candidates are eligible to be considered for enrolment in the cotutelle. Provision will be made for a candidature that commences as a cotutelle to transfer from that program into the University doctoral or research masters program.

English Language Requirement

(10) Applicants wishing to enrol under a cotutelle arrangement who are not Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia must also demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving a prescribed level in an approved English examination. The approved English Language tests include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Combined Universities Language Test (CULT).

(11) The standards required are:

  1. IELTS - 6.5 overall score with a minimum 6.0 in each subtest
  2. TOEFL - 575 (minimum 4.5 in Test of Written English (TWE))
  3. TOEFL computer based test - 232 (minimum 4.5 in Essay Writing)
  4. TOEFL Internet-based test - 89
  5. Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - A grade of B or above
  6. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - A grade of B or above.

Cotutelle Agreement

(12) A cotutelle agreement sets out the arrangements with regard to candidature fees and expenses.

(13) A cotutelle states the specifications of provision for the candidate's research costs, including but not limited to, laboratory/fieldwork funding, normally from the University which is the primary location. Candidates completing study at the other institution will be responsible for their transportation to and from the host institution, accommodation expenses, medical insurance, passport and visa costs, textbooks, clothing and personal expenses. A non-Australian candidate proceeding under a cotutelle arrangement will be otherwise subject to the normal requirements and arrangements for international candidates.

(14) The cotutelle agreement will state that for each candidate there must be an individual agreement that the Dean or Director, Research Institute, must recommend to the Research Studies Committee before the candidature is approved. The agreement must satisfactorily address the following and it must be agreed to by this University and the non-Australian university.

(15) For Australian and non-Australian candidates:

  1. Proposed candidate and qualifications
  2. University Research Institute,School or Research Centre of enrolment
  3. Thesis title
  4. Proposed partner university, Department/School and Address
  5. Primary contact person at the University
  6. Evidence of past and ongoing research collaboration including any existing cotutelle arrangements
  7. Rationale for a cotutelle agreement rather than other means of collaboration
  8. Proposed supervisors at the University, including the principal supervisor
  9. Proposed supervisors at the non-Australian university, including the principal supervisor
  10. Proposed annual period of study at the Univeristy
  11. Proposed annual period of study at the non-Australian university
  12. Proposed form of examination including place of defence of thesis, video conference etc
  13. Arrangements for candidate's fees and details of scholarship/stipend and travel support for the candidate
  14. Arrangements for funding for travel for supervisors/examiners
  15. Evidence of visa and health requirements

(16) In addition, for Australian candidates:

  1. Commencement date and consumed enrolment load at the University.

(17) A cotutelle candidature is to be divided between the two countries with alternate stays in each of the two countries and a minimum of 30% (two semesters) in one country during the period of candidature.

(18) The candidate will have a principal supervisor at the University and a principal supervisor at the non-Australian university.

(19) A system of assessment of the candidate's progress, on at least an annual basis, must be agreed upon by the partner institutions.

Examination

(20) The doctoral or research masters thesis is to be written in a language approved by the examining institution. If the thesis is written in a language other than English a comprehensive abstract in English must be provided.

(21) If the doctoral examination is carried out by the non-Australian institution, they will appoint two examiners and the University will appoint one. These examiners will prepare draft written reports on the thesis which will be made available to the candidate and the examining panel. If the non-Australian institution requires a defence of the thesis in person it will be conducted according to the Rules and Policies of the non-Australian institution. If the defence is conducted in a language other than English an oral summary in English will be provided. The candidate will not progress to the oral defence stage if the examiners are not convinced of the candidate's prima facie preparedness. Both institutions will agree to the appointment of a reserve examiner.

(22) If the doctoral examination is to be carried out under University Policies, the University will appoint two examiners and the non-Australian institution will appoint one, to prepare written reports on the thesis. Both institutions will agree to the appointment of a reserve examiner.

(23) In the case of a research masters examination, each institution will appoint one examiner. If the non-Australian institution requires a defence of the thesis in person it will be conducted according to the Rules and Policies of the non-Australian institution. If the defence is conducted in a language other than English an oral summary in English will be provided. The candidate will not progress to the oral defence stage if the examiners are not convinced of the candidate's prima facie preparedness. Both institutions will agree to the appointment of a reserve examiner.

(24) On successful completion of the examination and award of the degree the University testamur and the Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement will state that the award was made as a consequence of a cotutelle agreement and it will name the non-Australian university.

(25) When the Research Studies Committee is satisfied that all requirements have been met, it shall agree that the degree be awarded.

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Section 4 - Procedures

(26) Nil.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(27) Nil.