The thesis co-advisory is one of the privileged tools to promote and enhance the international dimension of PhD studies. The appointment of a thesis co-advisor allows the PhD student to get, at the end of the program, a double PhD qualification recognised in both of the countries in which the co-advisory agreement was made.

Under a special international agreement between the University of Bergamo and a foreign university, the research activity might be conducted, for alternating periods, at the two institutions and the final thesis may be developed and discussed under the supervision of a lecturer from each institution.

The period of stay abroad may not exceed 18 months outgoing and not less than 6 months incoming.

At the moment, the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) has signed framework agreements for the realisation of thesis co-tutoring with:

• The Conference of University Presidents (CPU) – February 13th 1998 for France
• The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) – June 15th 1998 for Spain
• The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) – November 17th 2000 for Germany
• The Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) – February 26th 2003 for the Swiss Confederation.

It is possible to activate a co-thesis with institutions in other foreign countries.