Not all NORDTEK member universities currently participate in formal joint European doctoral programmes. However, there is broad consensus on the value of international supervision and cross-border collaboration in doctoral education.
These insights help illuminate the range of approaches and experiences across the network—and may guide future opportunities for expanded cooperation.
Participation in Joint Doctoral Programmes
- University of Southern Denmark Answer: Yes. SDU collaborates with the University of Trento in Italy through a joint doctoral degree arrangement.
- Aarhus University Answer: No. Although Aarhus University currently does not have active joint degree agreements, it has previously engaged in both joint and double degrees and has some agreements in the pipeline.
- TalTech Answer: No. TalTech does not run formal joint doctoral programmes, but collaborates through initiatives such as MSCA Doctoral Networks and COFUND. It also has multiple joint supervision and double degree agreements with European universities.
- Tampere University Answer: No. Tampere University currently does not participate in joint doctoral programmes.
- University of Turku Answer: Yes. Most of the university’s doctoral programmes involve cotutelle agreements. In the Doctoral Programme in Technology, collaborations extend to both European and non-European partners.
- University of Oulu Answer: Yes. Oulu is involved in multiple MSCA programmes, including I4Future, I4World (ongoing), and MITIME (recently funded), with further applications underway.
- Aalto University Answer: No. While Aalto does not have a developed joint doctoral programme, it participates in the Unite! Alliance and various Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions to foster doctoral education collaboration.
- Reykjavik University Answer: No. The university is not currently involved in joint doctoral programmes but is planning to establish one through NeurotechEU, a European university alliance focusing on neurotechnology.
- Riga Technical University Answer: Yes. RTU offers a joint doctoral programme in Laser Technologies with Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, Bulgaria. It is also part of the EUT+ initiative, working on a common cotutelle agreement template.
- Kaunas University of Technology Answer: No. KTU participates in double degree PhD programmes, but not joint doctoral programmes.
- Vilnius Tech Answer: Yes. Although in the early stages, VILNIUS TECH is developing joint doctoral programmes and seeks to learn from best practices across NORDTEK.
- NTNU Answer: No. NTNU does not currently participate in joint doctoral programmes.
- University of Agder Answer: No. Agder has no joint doctoral programmes at present.
- Uppsala University Answer: Yes and No. Uppsala participates in joint European doctoral programmes that lead to double degrees. Joint degrees are legally possible but have never been implemented due to legal complexities.
- LTH, Lund University Answer: Yes. Lund participates in joint programmes but is cautious due to the administrative complexity involved.
- Linköping University Answer: Yes. Linköping has joint programmes and double degree agreements with partners such as the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University of Oulu, University of Tartu, University of Cergy-Pontoise, University of Porto, and Université de Poitiers.
- Umeå University Answer: No. Umeå is not involved in joint doctoral programmes.
- Blekinge Institute of Technology Answer: No. BTH does not currently have joint PhD programmes but is exploring opportunities through the Bauhaus4EU project and co-supervises doctoral students with other European institutions.
- Karlstad University Answer: No. While Karlstad has no joint programmes at the moment, initiatives are underway in Mathematics and Biology through Eunice and the EU-funded RIBES project.
- Mid Sweden University Answer: Yes. The university participates in one joint European doctoral programme and has about 15 double degree PhD students.
- Mälardalen University Answer: No. MDU is planning to establish joint doctoral programmes through the EUI Alliance SUNRISE and is currently developing a double-degree agreement with the University of Central Florida.
