University of Science and Technology Hanoi (USTH, Vietnam-France University)

Programme overview

The Co-Tutelles PhD (CTP) is a bilateral doctoral pathway launched by USTH with French partner institutions. Candidates are co-supervised by two mentors—one Vietnamese and one French—and are trained at both USTH and the partner university in France. Graduates receive two doctoral diplomas (one from USTH and one from the French partner). A research stay in France may last up to 24 months depending on the project.

What you'll study

The programme is research-focused and run full time over three years. Candidates undertake an original doctoral research project co-designed with their two supervisors. USTH requires doctoral candidates to be physically present and to conduct research at USTH for at least 12 months during the programme.

• Available training programmes (research fields and codes):
• Pharmacological, Medical and Agronomical Biotechnology (9420201)
• Advanced Material Science and Nanotechnology (9440122)
• Water – Environment – Oceanography (9440301)
• Information and Communication Technology (9480201)
• Energy (9520201)
• Space and Applications (9440101)
• Chemistry (9440112)

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a full-time Master’s degree in the same or a related field. They must also have completed a bachelor’s or higher with instruction in English, or hold an English linguistics/literature bachelor’s from Vietnam, or present a valid English test score. Acceptable language proofs include:

• TOEFL iBT 46+
• IELTS 5.5+
• TOEIC with minimum subscores: Listening 400, Reading 385, Speaking 160, Writing 150
• Cambridge B2 First / Linguaskill 160+
• Or another certificate equivalent to level 4 of Vietnam’s 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework.

Applicants must submit a pre-proposal (maximum two A4 pages) on an advertised topic that is approved by the proposed supervisors. Required application documents include an English application form, notarized degree/transcript copies (with translations if not in English), valid English certificate, motivation letter, CV, at least one recommendation letter, the pre-proposal, payment evidence for the application fee, and any other supporting documents. Provisional confirmation of graduation or provisional transcripts are accepted if the Master diploma is not yet issued. The application period for the announced intake runs from July 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025. The non-refundable application fee is 1,000,000 VND per dossier.

Career prospects

Completion awards two doctoral degrees and prepares graduates for research careers in academia, public research institutions, and research-intensive roles in industry. The co-tutelle model is particularly helpful for candidates seeking international research networks and experience in both Vietnamese and French research environments.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Co-funding is required from both Vietnamese and French sides for CTP positions. USTH offers financial support for PhD candidates who undertake teaching during their research period in Vietnam. On the Vietnamese side USTH provides several named scholarships for eligible PhD students (including Pathway to Success, Capacity Building, Academic Encouragement, and Access scholarships) that may cover from part to all tuition fees depending on criteria. Financial support from the French side is set by the doctoral school where registration occurs. USTH also lists various scholarships for international candidates; applicants are referred to the university website for application details.

Application submission (hard copy and scanned PDF) is to the Department of Admissions and Communications, USTH, Room 102 A21 Building, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Str., Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi. Email submissions go to admission@usth.edu.vn (email title: Admission.PhD-CTP-Full name). Contact phones: +84 247 772 7748, +84 247 774 7748.