Undertaking Doctoral Studies in Engineering in Québec

At ÉTS, we’re recognized for our applied engineering, that is to say, we’re trying to solve the real-world problems of industry. Our doctoral program is no exception to the rule. Through its “Applied Research” profile, the ÉTS PhD includes a strengthened research component while complying with the more traditional standards of the doctorate.

In this program you will be able to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of engineering, while acquiring superior abilities in synthesis, innovation and technical objectivity. You will become researchers on which industry can really count.

The doctoral program calls on the expertise of professors from various ÉTS departments and covers the whole of their areas of research. Combining scientific skills and work experience in an industrial environment, these professors work at the cutting edge of research and technology transfer: the vast majority of them have worked in industry before joining ÉTS and more than 60% of their research is carried out in partnership with businesses. 

For all the details of our Doctoral Program. 

Would you like to participate in a scientific cooperation between North American and French research teams? The joint supervision doctorate, a PhD program carried out under the supervision of two directors, one from ÉTS and the other from France, might be for you.

About Joint Supervision

The joint supervision of dissertations aims to promote the mobility of doctoral students by developing scientific cooperation between research teams from Canada and France.

By completing a PhD under joint supervision, you will perform your work under the guidance of a thesis director from each of the two countries concerned. The two thesis directors undertake to fully exercise the function of tutoring you. Their responsibilities are therefore exercised jointly.

At the end of your joint supervision studies, you will receive two diplomas (a French Doctorate and a Québec PhD) on which it will be highlighted that the diplomas were obtained under joint supervision, mentioning the name of the other institution.

Eligibility Criteria for Joint Supervision

Program plan and timetable

You and your research directors must prepare a proposal for a joint supervision Agreement which includes your Program plan (courses, seminars, comprehensive exam, etc.). The plan indicates the respective activities to be done at each institution and the planned schedule for each. The program plan and schedule must be approved by the Director of the Doctoral Program in Engineering.

Four rules must be respected: 

• Your project must meet the objectives and requirements of the program of studies;
• You must pass a comprehensive exam or its equivalent;
• If you are granted equivalences, they must respect the France-Québec agreement on the recognition of diplomas;
• The presentation of the dissertation and the evaluation procedure must conform to the rules in force at ÉTS. Any derogation must be approved in advance by the ÉTS Décanat des études (the Dean of Studies Office).

A framework agreement between the institutions can relax the conditions governing the conduct of the thesis.

Collaboration between departments

The joint supervision must result from a previously established collaboration between the departments, research groups or programs concerned or between the two research directors. You will need to submit, attached to the Agreement:

• An institutional protocol between the departments, research groups or programs concerned of the two institutions;
  OR
• A letter attesting to the joint research activities of the two directors. These activities must have been the subject of grants wherein the two researchers are mentioned or scientific publications where the two directors of research are co-authors.

How the Joint Supervision Doctorate Works

Specific conditions

You must be officially admitted to ÉTS with an application filed at the Registrar's Office. In addition, you must meet the requirements of Québec’s Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (the Education Ministry) for international students and must therefore present a visa, a Quebec acceptance certificate (a “CAQ”) and a proof of insurance (sickness and hospitalization) valid for the duration of your stay.

If these documents expire during your studies, you will have to present the same ones renewed before re-enrolling.

Sharing of time between the two educational Institutions

Your period of residence as a PhD student at ÉTS must be at least one third of the total duration of your doctoral training. As joint supervision is based on a duration of four years, you must be at ÉTS at least four semesters full time (whether consecutive or not). You will therefore need to share your stays half and half.

You must be registered full time without interruption at both ÉTS and in France. When you are not in Québec, you must ensure that your ÉTS registration is completed in due form at the beginning of each term. You will not be billed for this registration.

The Joint Supervision Agreement

You must fill in the joint supervision agreement form and then have the content validated by the Décanat des études (the Dean of Studies Office – see Ms. Ninon Leduc) and by the Director of the Doctoral Program in Engineering before proceeding with final printing and signatures (see the "Procedural Guide”).

The signature of the Program Director on the Joint Supervision Agreement means that you are unconditionally admitted to the program, that the program of studies is approved and that you and your directors of research agree to assume the costs incurred.

The Joint Supervision Agreement must be filed in six (6) original copies with the Dean of Studies Office (to the attention of Ms. Ninon Leduc) preferably before the end of the first session of registration. It must at least  include the signatures of the doctoral student, the ÉTS research director and the Director of the ÉTS PhD program. The Dean of Studies Office will be in charge of obtaining the signature of the Director of Academic Affairs.

Evaluation of a Joint Supervision Doctorate

You will work under the guidance of two directors of research (one in France, the other at ÉTS) and you will need to complete the requirements of the two PhD programs, including the educational activities and the comprehensive exam. You are also required to comply with the academic regulations in force at the two institutions.

You will write a single dissertation which will lead to a single defense in France or in Québec.

The dissertation jury will be composed of five (5) examiners from France and Québec: the two directors of research, a member of each institution empowered to examine theses, and a member from outside the two establishments, chosen jointly.

Payment of tuition fees and travel

You must pay the ÉTS tuition fees for each semester you are at ÉTS. Given that tuition fees in France are paid annually, it can happen that, for a semester you will spend at ÉTS, tuition fees have already been paid in France. In this case, in accordance with the framework agreement for joint supervision, the French institution will credit you the portion paid in France; it will be up to you, if applicable, to take the necessary steps.

You must be able to defray the costs of transport and lodgings caused by your annual travel as well as the costs of the thesis defense (travel and accommodations - for at least two members of the jury). ÉTS does not pay any costs of a joint supervision program. 

Would you like to participate in a scientific cooperation between ÉTS and a university outside Canada? The joint supervision doctorate, a PhD program carried out under the supervision of two directors, one from ÉTS and the other from France, might be for you.

About Joint Supervision

The joint supervision of dissertations aims to promote the mobility of doctoral students by developing scientific cooperation between research teams from Canada and other countries. 

By completing a PhD under joint supervision, you will perform your research under the guidance of two thesis supervisors, one from each of the two countries concerned. Upon successful completion of your studies, you will receive a diploma from each institution, on which it will be highlighted that the diploma was obtained under a joint supervision, mentioning the name of the other institution.

Eligibility Criteria for Joint Supervision

The five basic rules:

• The thesis co-supervisors must already be engaged in, or be planning, a joint research project.
• You must be eligible for the PhD programs of both institutions.
• Your thesis project must meet the objectives and requirements of the PhD programs of both institutions.
• You have to pass the ÉTS comprehensive exam (or its equivalent).
• You have to be present at ÉTS for at least 4 full terms during your studies (preferably the first four terms). The minimum residency period at the partner institution may vary according to its own requirements.

Collaboration between the thesis supervisors

The joint supervision must result from a previously established collaboration between the research groups or programs concerned or between the two research supervisors themselves. The co-supervisors will have to submit, attached to the Agreement:

• A letter attesting to the joint research activities of the two supervisors. These activities must have been the subject of grants wherein the two researchers are mentioned or scientific publications where the two research supervisors are co-authors.

AND/OR

• If available, an institutional protocol between the departments, research groups or programs of the two institutions.

Program plan and timetable

• Your research co-supervisors must prepare a proposal for a Joint Supervision Agreement which includes your Program plan (courses, seminars, comprehensive exam, etc.). The plan indicates the respective activities to take place at each institution and the planned schedules for each. This plan will be reviewed by the Director of the PhD program at ÉTS.

How the Joint Supervision Doctorate Works

You must be officially admitted to ÉTS with an application filed at the Registrar's Office. In addition, you must meet the requirements of Québec’s Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (the Education Ministry) for international students and must therefore present:

• a visa;
• a Quebec acceptance certificate (CAQ)
• a proof of insurance (sickness and hospitalization) valid for the duration of your stay.

If these documents expire during your studies, you will have to present the same ones renewed before re-enrolling.

Sharing of time between the two educational institutions

Your period of residence as a PhD student at ÉTS must be of at least four terms during your doctoral studies. You must however be registered full time without interruption at both ÉTS and the other institution during your studies.

The Joint Supervision Agreement

The thesis co-supervisors must fill in the joint supervision agreement form (and its Appendices) and then have the content validated by the Décanat des études (the Dean of Studies Office) and by the Director of the PhD before proceeding with final printing and signatures (see the Procedural Guide).

The signature of the Program Director on the Joint Supervision Agreement means that you are unconditionally admitted to the program, that the Program plan is approved and that you and your directors of research agree to assume the costs incurred.

The Joint Supervision Agreement must be filed in six (6) originals copies with the Dean of Studies (to the attention of Mr. Dominique Charron) preferably before the end of the first session of registration. It must at least include the signatures of the doctoral student, the ÉTS research director and the Director of the ÉTS PhD program. The Dean of Studies Office will be in charge of obtaining the signature of the Director of Academic Affairs.

Evaluation of a Joint Supervision Doctorate

You will work under the guidance of two directors of research (one in France, the other at ÉTS) and you will need to complete the requirements of the two PhD programs, including the educational activities and the comprehensive exam. You are also required to comply with the academic regulations in force at the two institutions.

You will write a single dissertation which will lead to a single defense in France or in Québec.

The dissertation jury will be composed of five (5) examiners from France and Québec: the two directors of research, a member of each institution empowered to examine theses, and a member from outside the two establishments, chosen jointly.

Payment of tuition fees and travel

Normally, you must pay tuition fees to ÉTS throughout your studies. This requirement may however differ according to the laws and rules in force in the partner country. These conditions will be specified in the Joint Supervision Agreement.

In addition, ÉTS covers the tuition fee increase that is usually required of international students (i.e. non-Canadian). You will thus have to pay the same fees as a student from Québec.

You must be able to cover your transportation and living costs in each of the partner countries, as well as the costs related to the thesis defense, if applicable. ÉTS does not cover any cost related to a joint supervision, unless otherwise specified in Appendix 3 of the Agreement.

This program is directed to students who are Mexican citizens and doctoral candidates in engineering, wishing to undertake doctoral studies at ÉTS. These studies lead to the degree of PhD.

Description of the program

CONACYT and ÉTS have established a joint funding program (CONACETS) allowing Mexican doctoral candidates in engineering to undertake doctoral studies at ÉTS leading to the degree of PhD. This program allows you to cover the cost of tuition fees and the payment of two fixed amounts for the costs of lodgings and health insurance. The amount relating to the cost of lodgings is paid to the student in the form of a monthly allowance. 

Language skills

The research work, the drafting of reports, writing course exams and the drafting of the thesis can be done in English or in French. Candidates eligible for the CONACYT fellowships program must demonstrate an adequate mastery of French or English in compliance with the ÉTS language policy and the criteria established by CONACYT.

Admission criteria

Candidates wishing to undertake their doctoral studies at ÉTS must follow the admission process described in the following paragraphs. 

The candidate must in particular meet the criteria for obtaining a CONACYT scholarship as well as the admission requirements to the ÉTS PhD program. 

Steps in the admission process

• Read the description of the doctoral program in engineering at ÉTS.


• Familiarize yourself with the domains of research at ÉTS and the expertise of the faculty through our search engine. If you find a professor who could act as your thesis director, you can get in touch with him or her. If you don’t know which professor to contact, or if you are not certain that the subject of your research is covered by an ÉTS professor, send an email to the Program Director.  
   
• At the time of making your request for admission online, you must have chosen a professor who agrees to be your thesis director.
   
• Important:
  • Indicate on the admission application that you are requesting a CONACYT grant.
  • You must submit your grant application to CONACYT as soon as you receive your response of official admission to the ÉTS PhD (the letter of admission is essential to apply for the grant).
     
• The ÉTS Doctoral Studies Committee will evaluate the candidates from Mexico who are eligible for a CONACYT grant.
   
• As soon as your application is accepted by the Committee, the Office of the Registrar will send you a letter of admission.
   
• An information kit on your reception, residences, administrative services and medical insurance will accompany this letter.
   
• After having received the letter confirming your final admission to the CONACYT grant program as well as the letter of admission to ÉTS, you will need to submit requests for authorization of entry and residence to the governments of Canada and Québec.
   
• After that, you will need to contact your future thesis director in order to agree on the following details of your ÉTS registration before your arrival:
  • Choice of courses;
  • Final choice of the research topic;
  • Other questions related to your academic studies.
     
• Upon arrival in Montreal, you will need to contact the Office of the Registrar. You will then meet your thesis director who will assist you with the administrative process of your registration at the beginning of the semester.
   
• The Dean of Studies Office will organize individual and group meetings at the beginning of the semester to explain to you: 
  • The phases of your program;
  • The administrative rules and regulations;
  • The success factors of your program.

Additional financial support 

Additional financial support can be offered to doctoral students who, under the supervision of a professor and a thesis director, perform laboratory supervision work or accept teaching loads. 

Career perspectives 

If this program is completed within the period of time required, the student will receive a Doctoral degree which will meet the highest Canadian standards in the field of higher education. 

ÉTS PhD graduates, thanks to their theoretical and practical training in engineering, have access to very high level jobs in industrial research, within high-technology companies or in the teaching and research milieu in Applied Sciences. 

Many international students, having obtained an ÉTS doctorate degree in engineering, obtain positions of responsibility within government departments, research laboratories and private companies dedicated to scientific research and experimental development in their countries of origin. 

A constantly increasing number of them choose to pursue their academic or scientist career in Canada or elsewhere across the world. 

In short, the ÉTS doctoral degree in engineering is a passport to the world of technology.

Descripción del programa

El CONACYT y la ÉTS han acordado un programa de financiamiento conjunto que permitirá a los estudiantes mexicanos candidatos al programa de Doctorado en Ingeniería, continuar dichos estudios en la ÉTS y obtener el grado de Doctor en su especialidad. Este programa cubre los costos de colegiatura, y el pago de dos montos fijos destinados a los gastos de subsistencia (en forma de mensualidades); y al pago del seguro médico. Adicionalmente, es posible para los alumnos inscritos, obtener un apoyo financiero adicional al realizar trabajos de supervisión de laboratorio o de profesor adjunto bajo la supervisión de un profesor y del director de investigación, todo ello durante su estancia en Montreal.

Al final del programa, y si éste es culminado en el plazo establecido, el estudiante obtendrá su título de doctorado, según los más altos estándares de formación superior de Canadá.

Gracias a la formación teórica y práctica en la especialidad de ingeniería, los graduados de un doctorado en la ÉTS pueden optar por importantes empleos en el campo de la investigación industrial, en empresas de alta tecnología o por la enseñanza de ciencias aplicadas en instituciones académicas. Ciertos estudiantes extranjeros egresados del Doctorado en Ingeniería de la ÉTS obtienen puestos de gran responsabilidad en sus países de origen, en ministerios, laboratorios de investigación y compañías privadas dedicadas a la investigación científica y al desarrollo experimental. Un gran número de diplomados deciden continuar estudios académicos o científicos en Canadá o en otros países. El diploma de doctorado en ingeniería en la ÉTS es un pasaporte hacia el mundo de la tecnología.

Competencias lingüísticas

Las actividades de investigación, los cursos y la redacción de la tesis y reportes pueden realizarse en inglés o francés. Los candidatos admisibles al programa de becas CONACYT deberán demostrar un dominio adecuado del inglés o francés; de acuerdo con la Politica de la lengua de la ÉTS (en francés) y los requisitos que CONACYT establezca a este respecto.

Condiciones de admisión

Los candidatos que deseen continuar sus estudios doctorales en la ÉTS, deben respetar el proceso de admisibilidad descrito en los siguientes párrafos. Como parte de las condiciones de admisibilidad al programa, el candidato debe llenar los criterios exigidos para obtener una beca del CONACYT criterios de admisión al programa doctoral (en francés) de la ÉTS.

Etapas del proceso de admisibilidad

• Conocer la descripción del programa de Doctorado en Ingenieria (en francés) en la ÉTS.
   
• Familiarizarse con los siete áreas principales de investigación de ÉTS y la experiencia de los profesores (en francés). Si el estudiante ha identificado un profesor que puede actuar potencialmente de director de tesis, el estudiante puede iniciar gestiones para ponerse en contacto con el profesor. 
   
• Al solicitar la admisión, debe haber elegido un profesor que acepte ser su director de tesis.
   
• Importante : 
  • En la solicitud de admisión es muy importante indicar que el estudiante solicita la beca CONACYT.
  • El estudiante debe enviar su solicitud de beca en la sede de CONACYT después de haber recibido la respuesta de admisión oficial al programa de doctorado de la ÉTS (la carta de admisión es indispensable para postular a la beca).
     
• El comité de los estudios doctorales de la ÉTS procede a la evaluación de las candidaturas procedentes de México y de los posibles candidatos a una beca del CONACYT.
   
• Una vez que el comité acepte a los candidatos, la oficina de registro enviará a éstos una carta de admisión.
   
• La carta de admisión estará acompañada de un paquete informativo sobre la acogida, las residencias, los servicios administrativos y los seguros médicos.
   
• Una vez recibida la carta de confirmación de beca por parte de CONACYT y la carta de admisión oficial al doctorado de la ÉTS, el candidato deberá solicitar las autorizaciones necesarias para su entrada y estancia, tanto del gobierno de Canadá (en francès) omo del gobierno de Quebec (en francès).
   
• Posteriormente, el estudiante se pondrá en contacto con su futuro director de tesis para acordar las modalidades de su inscripción a la ÉTS :
  • elección de los curso;
  • elección del tema de investigación;
  • otros asuntos relativos a su vida universitaria a partir de su llegada a Quebec.
     
• A su llegada a Montréal, el estudiante primero contactará a la oficina de registro, se reunirá con su director de investigación, quien lo ayudará a realizar los trámites administrativos de rutina necesarios para su inscripción inicial.
   
• La oficina de estudios superiores, denominada « Décanat des études » hará el seguimiento (a través de encuentros grupales e individuales) de los estudiantes al principio del trimestre con el fin de explicarles las diferentes etapas y reglas administrativas y de sensibilizarlos en los aspectos determinantes para el éxito de su proyecto escolar en la ÉTS.