European PHD label

The European PhD label: recognition of excellence and international openness

The “European PhD” label is an honorary distinction awarded to doctoral theses that meet criteria of scientific excellence and international openness. This label is recognised by many European universities and institutions. It aims to promote research carried out in an international context and to facilitate the mobility of PhD graduates in the European academic and professional market.

Countries concerned: European Union member states, plus Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Obtaining the European Doctorate label is based on several criteria:

• completion of a period of research mobility of at least three months in another European country;
• participation of two supervisors from European institutions other than the one in which the doctoral thesis is defended;
• at least one member of the jury must be from a European institution other than the one in which the doctoral thesis is defended;
• the manuscript must be written partly or entirely in a European language other than the national language;
• the defence must be conducted partly in a European foreign language.

When the jury makes its announcement regarding the defence, it is important to contact the ED secretariat for the formalities involved in applying for the ‘European PhD’ label.