Equivalence to third cycle degrees (Ph.D.)

Equivalence to third cycle degrees (PhD)

Equivalence of foreign doctoral (PhD) degrees (third cycle degree with thesis)

Equivalence is a process that involves comparing the status of studies completed abroad and those organized in educational institutions in the French Community of Belgium.

Universities are authorized to examine equivalence applications for foreign doctoral (PhD) degrees (third cycle degree with thesis) and to issue, where applicable, an equivalence certificate.

Only academic qualifications and degrees recognized or accredited by the competent education authorities of the issuing country may lead to the award of an equivalence certificate.

Procedure

Applications are processed by the Research Department and submitted, on behalf of the Rector, to the Equivalence Committee for the field of study pertaining to the doctoral degree.

The equivalence committees examine the applications and convey their decision, together with the reasons for their decision, to the Rector:

• In the event of a positive decision, an equivalence certificate is drawn up in one original copy;
• In the event of a negative decision, a refusal letter is written.

The decision is sent by registered post to the address provided in the application. A scanned version is also sent. Alternatively, the documents can be collected personally from the Research Department.

The various aspects of this procedure are set down in annex 2 of the doctoral regulations of the Académie universitaire Louvain.

 
The complete application pertaining to the request for equivalence, in both paper AND scanned form (including a copy of the thesis + abstract), must be sent to:

Marie WELSCH - Administrative coordination – Doctorate management
Université catholique de Louvain
Research Department
Place de l’Université, 1 bte L0.01.05
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
E-mail: marie.welsch@uclouvain.be

- Procedure and documents to be provided (please read carefully) doctorate_equivalence_procedure.pdf

- Request for equivalence form doctorate_equivalence_form.pdf

New from 2013 regarding grants from the Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS to fund a postdoctoral researcher or research associate post

It is no longer necessary to have the equivalence of foreign doctoral degrees (third cycle degree with thesis) recognized before submitting an application for one of these grant-funded posts. The equivalence application procedure must, however, have been completed before the post is taken up.

For further information, contact Marie Welsch