Apply & enroll

Conditions for enrollment for a PhD thesis are defined by the Order of 25 May 2016 establishing the national training and procedures leading to delivery of the National Doctoral Diploma. What steps must be taken to apply and enroll?

Application: Steps 1 to 4
Enrollment: Steps 5 to 6

The deadline for enrollment in a first year of doctoral studies is set on October 31st 2023. This deadline does not apply if your funding/employment contract starts at a later date.

Step 1 : Make sure you have the required qualifications level

In order to enroll for a doctorate, you must hold a national Master’s degree or another qualification conferring the status of Master.

"The status of Master was awarded by operation of law to holders of various diplomas, chief among them being the National Master’s degree” (Decree no. 99-747 of 30th August 1999, amended). See the "Master’s" page on the Ministry’s website

A Master’s degree sets a high reference level (5 years of higher education), corresponding to a common core of knowledge, aptitudes and skills acquired through various educational pathways. Certain engineering diplomas, Diplômes d'Etudes approfondies (DEAs), Diplômes d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (DESSs) and business school diplomas can confer the status of Master.

If you do not fulfill qualification conditions:

but you hold a non-French diploma equal to 5 years’ higher education, a derogation request may be submitted to head of the establishment (form available on the application platform).
but you hold a diploma requiring less than 5 years’ higher education: you can ask for accreditation of acquired skills (VAP).

Step 2 : Find a Thesis Supervisor ans a thesis subject

In order to do so:

You can apply directly for subjects published on the thesis offers page.
You can approach a research team directly or and authorised Thesis Supervisor working in the scientific field that interests you. The list of laboratories can be found on univ-lorraine.fr. When you contact a laboratory, please attach your CV and a cover letter with your request.

Step 3 : Find funding

Depending on the Doctoral School to which your Research Unit is attached, other prerequisites may be required regarding financial, material and scientific conditions during preparation of the thesis. Contact your Doctoral School for information on such prerequisites.

For more information on funding possibilities, consult the ”Funding your PhD”page.

Step 4 : Create your profile on ADUM

In order to apply for a doctorate, you must create your personal account on the ADUM (Accès Doctorat Unique Mutualisé) website.

Remember to prepare the necessary documents of your application beforehand, which will be submitted directly to your ADUM account.

Your application file will be examined by the director of your doctoral school and then by the President of the Université de Lorraine.

If your application is accepted, you will receive an email authorising you to enroll for the first year of your doctorate.

Step 5 : Obtain your CVEC certificate

You must pay your CVEC (Contribution to Campus and Student Life). You can do this online, on the cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr website (only available in french at the moment - english version under construction). A certificate of payment will then be delivered to you, which you must produce during your enrollment.

Upload your CVEC certificate on your ADUM account.

Step 6 : Enroll !

You will also be asked to pay enrollment fees (€380) online. It is possible to pay by credit card or check made out to the "agent comptable de l'UL" by making an appointment at our offices. A cash payment can be considered: ask your administrative officer for information. Your student card, your school certificates and a receipt of payment will then be delivered to you.

Note: In cases of cotutelle, enrollment fees are only paid in one of the two establishments each year.