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Doctorate and HDR

At LARSH, PhDs and HDRs are part of an interdisciplinary scientific dynamic open to major contemporary issues. Supervised by recognized teacher-researchers, doctoral students develop work in the humanities and social sciences in a stimulating environment that fosters innovation, dialogue between disciplines and the territorial and international anchoring of research.

Published on 05/05/2026

Thesis or PhD: what's the difference?

It's common to confuse the terms "thesis" and "doctorate". Yet they refer to two complementary realities:

  • The doctorate is the highest, internationally recognized diploma awarded by a university. It is awarded after 3 to 6 years of research, depending on the discipline.
  • The thesis is the written document (at least 200 pages) you write to earn this degree. It presents your research, analysis and conclusions, and is defended before a jury at a public defense.

In summary:

  • We prepare a doctorate (the degree)
  • On writes a thesis (the dissertation)
  • One is framed by a thesis director (the teacher-researcher who follows you)

At LARSH, we support you in these two dimensions: the completion of your thesis and obtaining your PhD diploma.

Why choose LARSH for your thesis?

  • Excellent supervision : Our teams, made up of experienced researchers, will support you in defining and carrying out your research project.
  • Various specialties : LARSH covers a wide range of disciplines (history, geography, sociology, law, literature, etc.), offering rich and diverse perspectives for your work
  • A comprehensive training: In partnership with École Doctorale Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, we offer doctoral seminars, methodological workshops and meetings with international experts
  • Association CEDOC²: A support network between PhD students and young PhDs

Doctorate... and after?

Habilitation à diriger des recherches (HDR) is a national higher education diploma that can be obtained after a doctorate. The HDR is defined in regulations by the decree of November 23, 1988: the HDR sanctions recognition of the candidate's high scientific level, the originality of his or her approach in a field of science, his or her ability to master a research strategy in a sufficiently broad scientific or technological field, and his or her capacity to supervise young researchers.