[LOGOS OF PARTNER INSTITUTIONS]
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
JOINTLY AWARDED PhD DEGREE PROGRAMME
Between
[NAME
OF
PARTNER
INSTITUTION,
CITY,
COUNTRY,
REGISTRATION/CHARITY NUMBER] ([“Abbreviated designation of Partner Institution”])
and
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, a charitable body, registered in Scotland,
with registration number SC005336 (“Edinburgh”)
concerning
[Name of Research Student]
This Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is drawn up in accordance with the
Memorandum
of
Understanding
between
[Partner
institution,
city,
country,
registration/charity number], the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland a
charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336 signed on
[Date] (the “MoU”) which recognizes that collaborative research and jointly supervised
research students is an effective means of academic cooperation the intent of which is to
establish a joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme to enable research students to
be awarded a single joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree for a programme of
research undertaken at both [Abbreviated designation of Partner Institution] and
Edinburgh.
1
Preamble
A jointly awarded PhD is a qualification conferred upon a student on completion of a
collaborative programme established by the partner institutions. It is characterised by:
 Meeting the academic requirements of both universities
 Agreement regarding the nomination of a lead university
 Joint supervision of students between nominated and qualified staff at
doctoral degree awarding institutions
 A single degree awarded for one PhD thesis
 Parchment(s) issued which indicate that there has been joint supervision.
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Conforming to the regulations of both countries and Universities, [Abbreviated
designation of Partner Institution] and Edinburgh thereafter designated the ‘Partner
Universities’, agree to put in place a doctoral co-supervision programme for:
[Name of Research Student] (the “Research Student”)
This MoA covers the terms of the training and support that [Name of Research Student]
will receive for the preparation of a thesis [Entitled /in the field of/ area of study] cosupervised by [Name of Supervisor] at [Abbreviated designation of Partner Institution]
and [Name of Supervisor] at Edinburgh and other detailed administrative and academic
matters.
2
2.1
Administrative Terms
Lead Partner University
The lead Partner University for [Name of Research Student] will be [Indicate either
Partner Institution OR University of Edinburgh] (the “Lead University”) and in accordance
with the MoU, both partner institutions will be responsible for the overall administrative
management related to [Name of Research Student] registered onto the joint PhD
programme and examination procedures as agreed in Paragraph 3.4 of the MoA. [Name
of Research Student] will also be subject to the degree programme regulations of
[University of Edinburgh OR partner Institution] as lead University.
2.2
Registration, Enrolment and Matriculation
The student will be registered in the two universities according to the terms and
regulations specific to each of the Partner Institutions. For day-to-day functions the local
rules of the institution in which the student is resident will apply. If the research student is
outwith either the Partner Institutions for purposes under the terms of this agreement,
the rules of the lead University will apply and the research student will ensure that the
lead University is informed of such periods of time outwith the Partner Institutions.
Personal details of the student will be held by both institutions to facilitate matriculation,
registration and other relevant administrative processes.
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The joint enrolment/matriculation will commence [Date of commencement] and be for a
period of [State number of months] with a possible extension up to a further year by
mutual agreement of the Partner Institutions, in agreement with the Partner Institutions’
regulations and subject to the MoU being extant. The exact commencement date will be
confirmed in writing to the Research Student by the Lead University.
2.3
Supervision
The Research Student, will be supervised by at least one supervisor in each of the
Partner Institution as detailed above. The work, as appropriate, will be carried out in the
two Partner Universities. The Research Student should spend a minimum of 12 months
at each Partner Institution (or under their direct supervision if research is being carried
out outwith the Partner Institutions). The portion of time the Research Student will spend
at each of the Partner Universities is as follows:
Year 1:
Year 2:
Year 3:
This may be amended by prior arrangements between the Research Student, the named
supervisors and the appropriate administrative authorities of each Partner Institution. In
addition, and where applicable, immigration rules may provide restrictions and
stipulations on time spent at each Partner Institution which must be applied.
Article 4 – Fees
The Research Student will be eligible to apply for a scholarship to cover tuition fees and
living expenses from either or both Partner Universities but will only be eligible at any
one time to be in receipt of one full scholarship. Applicants will need to satisfy eligibility
criteria for the award of a scholarship. Likewise the Research Student will be eligible to
apply for access to hardship funds but will be eligible at any one time to be in receipt of
assistance from only one of the Partner Universities. The Partner Universities shall be
permitted to discuss between themselves any proposed award of scholarship (and the
amount and basis thereof).
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If the Research Student is self-funded, the terms of the MoU and this Agreement apply in
the same manner as for a student in receipt of a Scholarship or Studentship. Tuition fees
as well as an other additional fees will be due to each of the Partner Institution,
according to their payment regulations, for time spent at the Partner Institutions (or being
directly supervised by them outwith the premises of the Partner Institutions) as agreed in
paragraph 2.3.
Travel costs incurred by the student for travelling between Partner Universities will be
covered as follows: [If applicable, enter travel costs’ arrangements e.g.: 1 return ticket]
2.4
Insurance
While located in [Country of Partner Institution] as an international student, the [Health
Insurance scheme name] for the Research Student will be [provided by Partner
Institution OR paid for by the Research Student]. In the event that regular coverage is
deemed insufficient, it will be the responsibility of the Research Student to subscribe to
an appropriate additional personal insurance policy. While in Scotland, the Research
Student will have access to the same national healthcare provision as any other student
registered at the University of Edinburgh. If the Research Student is undertaking
research, training or conference work outwith either of the countries of the Partner
Institutions as agreed with the named supervisors, the healthcare and insurance
arrangements and regulations of the Lead University will apply unless otherwise agreed
in writing prior to the period of time outwith of the countries of the Partner Institutions.
3
3.1
Academic Details
Working thesis title
The proposed title of the thesis is:
[Title of thesis]
3.2
Supervisory team
The Principal Supervisor at Edinburgh is [Name of Principal Supervisor]. The Principal
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[LOGOS OF PARTNER INSTITUTIONS]
Supervisor at [Abbreviated designation of Partner Institution] is [Name of Principal
Supervisor].
The Principal Supervisor and any other Supervisors will jointly be involved in the
continuing assessment of the candidate's work in progress. The degree regulations
including assessment and progression will be those of the [Name of the Lead
University], unless otherwise stated in Paragraph 3.4 of this Memorandum.
3.3
Intellectual Property
The Research Student, the co-supervisors and the Partner Institutions will comply with
the relevant policies of both Partner Institutions with regard to intellectual property in
order to protect the PhD research and the publication of research results. If there is a
conflict between the Intellectual property regulation of the Partner Institutions, the
Research Student, the co-supervisors and the Partner Institutions agree to resolve this
by mutual agreement and the specific following Intellectual property arrangements for
the doctoral research undertaken under the terms of the Memorandum will be:
[If relevant State Intellectual Property arrangements. E.g. For each student the following
will require to be discussed and way forward agreed pursuant to the signing of this MoA:
 Research with commercial application developed by one or both of co-supervisors
during course of the programme
 Research with commercial application developed by research student during course of
the programme, independently and/or with co-supervisor’s support/guidance
 Authorship of articles published as a result of research work]
3.4
Assessment and examination
The Research Student will be required to complete assessments of his/her doctoral
research work is accordance to the rules and regulations of [Partner Institution/Lead
University/Both]. Final examination for the award of the joint degree of Doctor of
Philosophy will consists of:
[state examination procedure E.g. submission of intention to submit at one or both
institutions, viva voce, panel presentation, examiners’ report only, number of
examiners…. Or a combination of the rules and regulations of both partner institutions as
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[LOGOS OF PARTNER INSTITUTIONS]
long as it does not conflict with either set of rules and regulations].
Where appropriate, the Research Student should inform the Partner Institutions of any
reports submitted or any assessments undergone during the course of the doctoral
research undertaken under the terms of the Agreement,
3.5
Language
The thesis will be submitted in [Language], with a [number of words]-word abstract in
[Language], as stipulated in the MoU.
3.6
Joint Award of the Doctor of Philosophy
The two Partner Institutions will agree to award the joint degree of Doctor of Philosophy
of [Partner Institution] and the University of Edinburgh subject to the satisfactory
completion of all award requirements by the research student in accordance with the
regulations of the [Partner Institution/Lead University/Both]. A decision to recommend
the award of the degree by either University is not binding upon the other.
4
4.1
Legislation, Regulations and Dispute Resolution
Terms differing from Memorandum of Understanding
The arrangements in respect of [Research Student] differ from those set out in the MOU
as follows:
Management and Administrative Arrangements – [State how different]
Rules and Regulations - [State how different]
Supervision, Counselling and Advising - [State how different]
Awarding of Degree and Graduation – [confirm which graduation ceremony is to be
attended and how the parchment will reflect the joint nature of the degree]
4.2
Copyright
The signatories of this MoA will comply with existing regulations in their respective
institutions and countries regarding the filing, registration of copyright, description and
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[LOGOS OF PARTNER INSTITUTIONS]
For and on behalf of the University of Edinburgh
For and on behalf of [Partner University]
reproduction of the thesis.
4.3
Confidentiality
From time to time during the Term, Edinburgh and [Abbreviated designation of Partner
Institution] will exchange confidential information. Such information may be disclosed
orally or in writing. Each Partner Institution undertakes to keep such information secret
and confidential and not to disclose the same to any other person except to the extent
that such information is in the public domain (other than as a result of the breach of any
obligation of confidence) or required to be disclosed by law, including but not limited to
requirements under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This clause is
intended to be legally binding under Scots Law and will remain in force beyond the Term
of this Memorandum. Any dispute arising out of the interpretation, validity or
performance of, or otherwise in connection with, this Memorandum shall be submitted to
the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.
4.4
Length of Agreement
This MoA will be effective from the date of enrolment/matriculation of [Name of Research
Student] at the Partner Universities. It will terminate either on submission of the thesis at
the end of the maximum prescribed period (or at the end of any extension periods) as
described in Paragraph 2.2, or on termination by any one of the parties to this MoA,
whichever is earlier. By mutual agreement, the terms of this MoA may be reviewed and
varied particularly to take account of any changes agreed by all signatures to this
Agreement to the periods of residency of the Research Student at each Partner
University, changes in fee structure and/or length of study period.
4.5
Dispute Resolution
If there is a difference in the interpretation or execution of this document, all Parties
agree that they will solve it by mutual agreement.
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[LOGOS OF PARTNER INSTITUTIONS]
The Principal Supervisor:
The Principal Supervisor:
Name:
Name:
Date:
Date:
Associate Supervisor
Associate Supervisor
Name:
Name:
Date:
Date:
The Head of the School of (name of Department):
Name:
The Head of
Department)
Name:
Date:
Date:
The Head of the College of (name of College)
Name
The Dean of
Division/Faculty)
Name
Date:
Date:
The Vice–Principal (Research
Community Relations):
Training
the
the
Department
of
(name
Division
of
(name
and The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research):
Name:
Name:
Date:`
Date:
The Research Student:
Witness
Name:
Name:
Date:
Address:
Date:
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