Global PhDs

Source: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study-abroad/global-research/cotutelle-degrees/ Parent: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study-abroad/

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.

Typically a student wishing to undertake a Global PhD should expect to have to comply with relevant requirements which may include a need to:

• Apply to each institution following their standard requirements for PhD students;
• Meet any relevant entry requirements for each institution, which may include a prior qualification such as a two-year Masters degree;
• Ensure awareness of the expectations of a PhD student at each institution, including possible taught components;
• Satisfy any national immigration requirements, including associated costs, for each host country;
• Meet any relevant tuition or other fee requirements of the institutions unless supported by funding covering that tuition fee;
• Follow agreed requirements on examination process, which may necessitate a non-standard format to meet policy for each institution.

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) .

Guidance for new applicants and doctoral candidates for Global PhDs (PDF)

Global PhD School and supervisor information set (PDF)

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• What is a Global PhD?

• How will I split my time between the two institutions?

• How do I apply for a Global PhD?

• Tuition Fees

• Testimonials

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:

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• Arts and Divinity PhD degrees with Ghent

• Arts, Divinity and Science PhD degrees with Macquarie University

• Classics PhD degrees with Sapienza University of Rome

• Arts and Divinity, History, Medicine, and Science PhD degrees with the University of Bonn

• Philosophy MPhil or PhD degrees with the University of Stirling

• Arts, Divinity, Science and Medicine PhD degrees with the University of Oslo

• Philosophy PhD degrees with the University of Amsterdam

Global St Andrews Doctoral scholarships

Global doctoral scholarships are supported by funding from St Leonard's Postgraduate College and co-funded through relationships with our partner universities.

These Global doctoral scholarships are for specific doctoral research projects (or broader themes in which a student may create their project) defined by co-supervisors working at St Andrews and a partner institution.

Overview

• Eight Global doctoral scholarships (tuition fees and stipend) are available for 2026-2027 student enrolment provided by St Leonard’s Postgraduate College for joint degree programmes with international partner institutions.
• Within these eight scholarships, four are available with Macquarie University. A further four are available with University of Bonn.
• Please see details of each stream within the call for specific parameters and timelines which will be published below as they become available.
• Scholarships are provided for new UK or international doctoral students starting their degree in the 2026-2027 academic year who meet the entry requirements of both institutions.
• Prospective supervisory teams are invited to apply for the call with identified projects which will later be advertised for PhD student recruitment.
• The scholarships fully cover tuition fees and provide a stipend at each university. For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarships will comprise a full tuition fee award and an annual stipend paid at a rate set by the University of St Andrews. For 2025-2026, the stipend is £19,775 p.a., with an annual uplift published by the University each academic year.
• It is expected that half the time will be spent at each of two specified institutions.
• The partner institution provides corresponding funding for the periods spent with them, with further details on each stream listed below.

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• Global St Andrews and Macquarie Strategic Partner Doctoral scholarships

• Global Doctoral Scholarships - St Andrews and Bonn

• Previous successful project applications