Access conditions

• 1. Subject to the legal provisions fixed by the academic authorities, and pursuant to the UMONS Doctoral Regulations, students who possess one or more of the following credentials can register for a doctoral programme (PhD) at UMONS:

1°   a Master’s degree which accounts for at least 120 credits;

2°   a similar academic degree awarded by an institution of higher education in or outside the French Community, providing this qualification is accepted by the academic authorities’ and the student has fulfilled any additional requirements as determined by the authorities.

3° a foreign qualification equivalent in level to those mentioned in points 1° and 2°, awarded under the same conditions, and issued in accordance with the relevant decree, European directive, international convention, or other legislation in force.

The additional access conditions referred to in 2° are intended to ensure that students have acquired the subjects and skills required for the studies concerned. When these additional access conditions consist of one or more additional courses, these cannot represent more than 60 additional credits, taking into account all the credits which they can also have on admission. These courses form part of their study programme.

• 2. Subject to the provisions established by the academic authorities, and pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the holder of a Master’s degree (second cycle studies) issued in or outside the French Community which does not grant access to third cycle (doctoral level) studies but accounts for at least 300 credits validated by the Panel, can, however, be admitted onto a PhD programme.
• 3. Notwithstanding the aforementioned provisions, the Panel may also admit holders of the following qualifications onto a PhD programme: a degree or other qualification issued outside the French community which, under the original system, can lead directly to doctoral studies or studies and/or work relating to the preparation of a doctoral thesis, even if these degree courses are not arranged in separate cycles or completed in at least five years. Such admission is an exception and requires formal and authentic evidence of the applicant’s ability to pursue doctoral studies under the original system.

The Warocque School of Business and Economics has set additional admission criteria of its own: The faculty jury considers that a distinction obtained for the second cycle of studies or for the last year of the Master’s degree is the minimum standard to be met in order to be admitted to the studies and work relating to the preparation of a doctoral thesis. In the absence of this distinction, the candidate’s file must include evidence of an aptitude for scientific research, such as a mark of at least 16/20 in the dissertation, professional experience that can be used in the context of research activities, or certain research activities that have already been carried out (publication).

Target audience

Holders of a Master’s degree of at least 120 credits or a similar/equivalent academic degree (according to the conditions of the “Paysage” decree).

Extra information

A Thesis Advisory Committe is set up upon admission or at the latest after one year by the faculty jury commission on the proposal of the supervisor.