Short glossary

Home Page MIIS DOCTORAL SCHOOL Short glossary

What is Normandy University?

Normandy University is a Community of Universities and Institutions (COMUE), which brings together the three universities in Normandy and several higher education institutions (for MIIS: INSA Rouen and ENSICAEN).

One of NU’s bodies is the CED (College of Doctoral Schools), which brings together the eight doctoral schools in Normandy. The CED works with the institutions to co-manage Normandy’s doctoral policy, aims to harmonise practices within these doctoral schools, and contributes to the implementation of national regulations.

Issuing institution vs. Registration institution

The issuing institution is the one authorised by the Ministry to award the doctoral degree. The registration institution is the higher education institution where you are enrolled for your doctoral training and which is responsible for the administrative follow-up of your studies.

Until summer 2023, there were four registration institutions: UCN (University of Caen Normandy), URN (University of Rouen Normandy), ULHN (University of Le Havre Normandy) and INSA (Rouen), and the awarding institution was NU (Normandy University).

From the start of the 2023 academic year, there will be a fifth institution of enrolment (ENSICAEN), and the degree will be awarded jointly and shared between NU and each of the five higher education institutions.

Funding Body vs. Employer

In the MIIS doctoral programme, all doctoral students receive funding. The funding body is the institution that provides the funds; the employer is the institution that manages these funds and draws up the employment contract with the doctoral student.

Co-supervisor vs. Co-advisor

The co-supervisor of a doctoral thesis has the same functions and status as the supervisor. However, in the eyes of the doctoral school, it is the supervisor who bears administrative responsibility.

As for the co-supervisor, he or she participates fully in the supervision of the thesis, but his or her status is different since he or she does not hold the HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches), which is the diploma required to be a supervisor or co-supervisor.