JYU template
Cooperative Agreement
Regarding a Joint Doctoral Programme in ______ (field or title of programme)
between
Faculty of ____
University of Jyväskylä
and
Faculty of ____
University of
ARTICLE 1 - INTRODUCTION
The University of Jyväskylä (hereafter JYU), Finland, and the University of ___
(hereafter___), have recognized their mutual interests in research and in the development
of doctoral training in the field of _______and wish to specify the terms under which
students from both universities may be admitted to a jointly implemented doctoral
programme in ______ (field of title of programme) and granted, upon successful fulfilment
of all requirements for graduation at both universities, a double degree, that is, a doctoral
degree and the official degree certificate from both universities.
This Cooperative Agreement defines the terms for implementing the joint doctoral
programme in _______, the rights and responsibilities of both parties and the requirements
of JYU and ___ regarding the programme.
This agreement has been compiled in accordance with
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Government Decree on University degrees 794/2004
Doctoral degree requirements of the University of Jyväskylä
Recommendations of the Finnish Ministry of Education for the Development of
International Joint Degrees and Double Degrees
Rector’s decision on international joint degree programmes and cotutelle
agreements 2013
and
 (corresponging documents / statutes from partner university…)

on the other hand.
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ARTICLE 2 - AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The joint doctoral programme aims at ……….. (e.g. producing top-level researchers and
professionals for the growing field of X…) by combining the special expertise of JYU,
Faculty of X, and University X, Faculty of X, in ………. The programme focuses on
…………. The expected learning outcomes of the doctoral candidates include…………
ARTICLE 3 - STUDENT SELECTION
Professors and supervisors of doctoral students at both faculties can select and nominate
candidates for the joint doctoral programme according to selection criteria mutually
agreed upon. The criteria are as follows:
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
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Master’s degree or equivalent in the fields of X or X and or a closely related field,
completed with good grades.
A sufficient proficiency in the English language (ways to provide evidence of
English language proficiency can be defined here)
A research plan.
(eventual other requirements?)
Final selection is to be made by the respective faculties according to each faculty’s
admission criteria.
ARTICLE 4 - STUDENT STATUS
Students will be admitted to the programme on a full-time basis and they will be
registered at both universities as degree-seeking doctoral students. The parties to this
agreement shall aim at an equal number of students to be admitted to the programme
from both universities. (This is not required at JYU). The University, where the student’s
main supervisor resides and where the student will start the doctoral training, will be
referred to as the home university. The other university implementing this joint doctoral
programme will be referred to as the host university. (It is also possible not to define home
and host university)
A set of documents detailing course requirements at both universities and requirements
related to the research to be conducted, the final written dissertation and its oral defence,
the assessment/grading of the thesis, and the financial plan for the study period will be
negotiated and concluded on faculty-level for each individual student taking part in a joint
doctoral programme. These annexes will be ratified by the respective faculties and by
student’s supervisors and they shall bear a reference to this Cooperative Agreement.
ARTICLE 5 – SUPERVISION OF RESEARCH
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For each student, there must be one supervisor at both universities with allocated equal
responsibilities. The aim is that the supervision work is divided evenly. The
responsibilities and roles of the supervisors are to be specified in the student-specific
annexes.
The supervisors should have a doctoral degree or equivalent with at least two years of
post-doctoral research experience or hold a position where one is qualified to supervise
doctoral studies according to the university regulations. At JYU at least one supervisor
must hold the position of a professor or Docent. At University X ________ (corresponding
requirements / regulations).
ARTICLE 6 - PERIOD OF CANDIDATURE
A full time student is expected to complete the requirements of the doctoral programme in
four (4) years. If the student requires more time he/she must seek approval from both
universities. The aim of both parties is that the student will spend approximately equal
amounts of time at each university (this can be defined also in a different way!). However,
if this is not possible, students of the joint doctoral programme must spend at least six
months at the partner university. Details regulating this will be specified in the studentspecific annexes.
Students selected to the joint doctoral programme shall be provided with a necessary
work space, research equipment etc. at both universities and the hosting university shall
assist in locating suitable accommodation.
ARTICLE 7 - COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS
In order to be granted a doctoral degree at JYU and at University X, the student has to
fulfil the respective coursework requirements, which may be complementary or additional
to those of the other university. Details regulating this, including a scheduled study plan,
will be specified in the annexes.
ARTICLE 8 - FINANCIAL MATTERS
a)
Fees
In Finland, doctoral training is free of charge for the doctoral student (Universities
Act 558/2009, Section 8) and the Finnish legislation on tuition-free studies must not
be violated in jointly implemented degree programmes.
In accordance with national legislation, University X … (Clarify the fee policy of the
partner university regarding eventual tuition fees and other compulsory fees. Please
note that if the partner university cannot agree on a tuition-fee waiver to the cotutelle
student, the JYU faculty or home department must pay the eventual tuition fees on
behalf of the doctoral candidate who has started his/her doctoral training at JYU).
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Costs incurred at the universities related to the conducting of research will be
covered by project grants as agreed by the supervisors and agreed upon in the
student-specific annexes.
b)
Research scholarship and travelling expenses
To be considered for admission to the joint doctoral programme, applicants should
have secured financing through grants or other funding sources prior to registration
(This is a recommendation, not a requirement at JYU).
(Please specify, if possible, who covers the travelling expenses of the doctoral
students caused by the mandatory mobility period(s)).
ARTICLE 9 - CONTINUATION, WITHDRAWAL,
TERMINATION OF CANDIDATURE
Students of the joint doctoral programme are required to follow the rules and regulations
of both JYU and ____ for doctoral candidates, including the conditions for continuation,
withdrawal and termination of doctoral studies. If a student wishes to leave the joint
doctoral programme he/she will be free to pursue a regular degree at either university,
provided that existing regulations permit it.
ARTICLE 10 – DISSERTATION
The doctoral dissertation submitted for JYU Faculty of ___ and for X _____ will be written
in English and will consist of ___ (e.g. publications or manuscripts written under the
supervision of the nominated supervisors). The evaluation and the examination of the
dissertation will be performed in the following way … ? (pre-examiners? the process of
evaluating the dissertation etc?)
According to the national legislation governing doctoral studies in Finland the dissertation
(doctoral thesis) has to be defended in public. According to the national regulations
governing doctoral studies in ……. (Specify in a similar way the requirements for an oral
examination /oral defence at the partner country and university).
The dissertation of students of the joint doctoral programme octoral will be the subject of
X (one or two) public examination(s) open to general audience and taking place in…
(the basic terms need to be specified here. One or two public examination?! If one, how
does the partner university participate in it? etc.)
ARTICLE 11 – GRADUATION
a)
Graduation
The student must satisfy:
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1) The graduation requirements for coursework at both universities (through
qualifying examinations)
2) The requirements for the written dissertation at both universities
3) The requirements for the oral examination at both universities.
(b)
Doctorate
Both universities will issue (separately) their official doctoral degree certificate for
the students of the joint doctoral programme, when all requirements are fulfilled.
The doctoral degree certificates of both institutions shall state that the degree has
been awarded within a joint doctoral programme implemented by JYU and
University X, indicating that the student is receiving a double degree.
(Please note that the official status of a joint degree and a joint degree certificate meaning one jointly awarded certificate with logos and signatures of both
universities - is ambiguous and unestablished both nationally and internationally.
Consequently, a joint degree certificate cannot be the only degree certificate issued
by JYU to its students. Until the status of joint degrees is clarified, JYU recommends
that a double degree be conferred in joint degree programmes and cotutelle
arrangements).
In addition to the degree certificate, a diploma supplement should be given to the
doctoral students in accordance with the Finnish Government Decree on University
Degrees (794/2004). The supplement should describe, among other things, the
structure and content of the doctoral programme, the nature of the degrees awarded
and the mobility periods included in the training.
ARTICLE 12 – QUALITY ASSURANCE
Quality assurance of the joint doctoral training will be carried out according to the quality
assurance policies and established mechanisms at JYU and ___. The quality assurance
mechanisms of JYU for doctoral programmes are defined in the document JYU Graduate
School for Doctoral Studies: Structure and General Principles
https://www.jyu.fi/opiskelu/tohtorikoulutus/materiaalit/gsdsstructure confirmed by
University Board. The quality assurance mechanisms of the University X include…..
Eventual additional quality assurance tools for the joint doctoral programme include…..
ARTICLE 13 - USE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
In Finland, doctoral candidates own the copyright to their dissertation and the dissertation
is public. When the doctoral candidate is the sole author of the doctoral degree thesis,
he/she alone has the copyright to the work. If the doctoral degree thesis consists of a
collection of articles and a summary, the doctoral candidate has the copyright to those
parts that are the results of his/her independent effort.
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Both institutions shall have the non-exclusive right for a non-commercial use of the thesis
and the results in their education, training and research. This right is perpetual and free of
any charge.
If the doctoral student participates in an externally funded research project in which
he/she shall transfer intellectual property rights to the university/universities, a separate
written agreement shall be negotiated between the relevant parties.
ARTICLE 14 - SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Any disputes arising from the interpretation of this Cooperation Agreement shall be
resolved jointly by and between respective faculties at JYU and ____. In the event of nonresolution, the first step is mediation by the Rector of JYU and the Rector of _____ and
the second step is to refer the dispute to arbitration by an arbitrator jointly appointed by
the Parties.
Finnish law shall be applied to the interpretation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 15 - EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION
This Cooperative Agreement will become effective upon signing and shall remain in effect
for a period of five years from the date of the last signature. Modifications to this
Cooperative Agreement may be made by mutual agreement and confirmed through an
exchange of letters. The Cooperative Agreement may be extended by mutual consent by
the two parties.
The Agreement may be terminated by the appropriate authorities of either party giving six
months notice to the other party in writing. Both parties agree, that in the event of any
party wishing to terminate the Cooperative Agreement the student enrolled under the
joint programme will be allowed to proceed and graduate under the programme.
Signing the Cooperative Agreement for ____
Title of the authorised
representative:
Rector / President (?)
Name of the authorised
representative:
Date:
Signature:
Title of the authorised
representative:
Dean (?)
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Name of the authorised
representative:
Date:
Signature:
Signing the Cooperative Agreement for the University of Jyväskylä
Title of the authorised
representative:
Rector
Name of the authorised
representative:
Prof. Matti Manninen
Date:
Signature:
Title of the authorised
representative:
Dean
Name of the authorised
representative:
Date:
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Signature: