The way a doctoral programme is structured and organised may vary considerably from country to country and it may play a role in your selection of joint international doctorate. For example, some institutions have multiple milestones you need to pass at various stages of your research project, whereas others have just one milestone: the thesis. However, your joint international doctorate will be developed through an agreement between different institutions on all these matters, and you will be provided with a transparent outline of what your progression through the joint doctorate would look like.

Be aware that there may be some important differences in how PhDs are examined.  Most European countries have public viva voce exams where major changes to the thesis are rarely demanded at the point of public examination; others are ‘closed door’ examinations where it is quite common for changes – sometimes major changes – to be asked; other still are a combination of the two.

Finally, PhD programmes are becoming increasingly international and this means that more and more programmes allow you to write your thesis in English.  Others may require you to write your thesis in the national language, and yet others will require two or more copies of thesis, each in the main language of the participating institutions. It is important that you are aware of what this requirement is.

It pays off to ask the institutions about all these details or look closely at an agreement document when selecting the institutions for your joint international doctorate.

The funding for your research is, of course, immensely important.  You may have funding from your home country but there may also be other sources of funding at a university level, shared funding between multiple institutions, or external research agency funding. Or your funding may become part or the entirety of your salary. Depending on the value, the funding may be used for sustenance, travel, conference attendance, funding for transcriptions, workshops, and translation of your thesis.

Be aware that there may be some important differences in how PhDs are examined.  Most European countries have public viva voce exams where major changes to the thesis are rarely demanded at the point of public examination; others are ‘closed door’ examinations where it is quite common for changes – sometimes major changes – to be asked; other still are a combination of the two.

Finally, PhD programmes are becoming increasingly international and this means that more and more programmes allow you to write your thesis in English.  Others may require you to write your thesis in the national language, and yet others will require two or more copies of thesis, each in the main language of the participating institutions. It is important that you are aware of what this requirement is.

It pays off to ask the institutions about all these details or look closely at an agreement document when selecting the institutions for your joint international doctorate.

As mentioned previously, a PhD programme should equip you with broadly applicable or transferable research skills. See what skills courses are offered, especially in the first year or two of your PhD and make sure to take full advantage of them. 

The research environments are very important for a successful progress of your research.  Your PhD is not just about your own specific area of research but the broader skills and networks you will develop.  An institution with a vibrant research culture will expose you to a wide range of ideas and interests.  It is worth looking, for example, at the research seminars or lecture series the departments or centres at two or more institutions you will be attended offer.  What kinds of scholars come to give talks?  Are their fields of expertise of interest to you?  Do your department or centres host visiting research fellows, whose work intrigues you?  One of the most exciting things about doing a PhD is being part of a much wider community of scholars.  Look carefully at your proposed departments or centres at both or multiple institutions to see if the research environment is what you want

It is particularly important to have a supportive and vibrant postgraduate research community in the institutions you will be attending. It will not only make the journey of a PhD more pleasant, but also more successful.  Have a look at the numbers of PhD doctoral candidates in the departments or centres and see what activities are organised for them.  Also see how well they are integrated into the institutional research cultures.  Are they featured prominently as members of research clusters or are PhD doctoral candidates less visible?

Career prospects, of course, vary enormously depending on discipline and subject matter. Your international joint PhD should substantively enhance your career prospects across countries, but it is worth asking early in the process about the kinds of careers prior successful PhDs in your chosen field have embarked upon.  Some PhD candidates go on to academic careers but, many search for a career path outside of the academic world.  Make sure you get the information on what kind of non-academic careers graduates follow and how your international mobility may enhance them. 

Your career prospects also depend on whether

• your research project has a very narrow or potentially broad application;
• whether you will be well supported by supervisors who will also give you career advice;
• do the  institutions offer a wide range of skills and environments which will help you learn about new opportunities and be involved in research networks?