Each PhD student joins a research team attached to a specific doctoral School. A doctoral School federates research teams around scientific themes. Doctoral Schools have a coordinating role, ensuring the scientific consistency of the candidate's research project. It is responsible for training and preparing PhD students for their occupational integration.
 
The doctoral program is based on 9 thematic doctoral schools which train more than 400 doctors per year in the fields of physical, natural, human, social and life sciences.
 
Doctoral studies require a minimum of 3 years of studies, after which the PhD student is awarded the highest degree offered within the French higher education system.