As a general rule, all topics are open, but at least three conditions must be met:

  • The topic must correspond to a realistic, achievable project that can be completed within the timeframe assigned for the doctoral degree.
  • The thesis must make a contribution to the scientific field associated with it.
  • The topic must be approved by a host laboratory.

Ideally, the choice of a thesis topic is a gradual process that takes place over weeks or even months before requesting a doctoral contract or enrolling as a doctoral student.
The choice is refined by reading literature on the topic (bibliography, sources), discussing it with faculty, and especially with the future doctoral supervisor.
Here are several ways of choosing a topic:

  • Choose a topic among those currently published on the websites of the doctoral schools and submit an application as instructed.
  • Suggest a thesis topic to a laboratory or a doctoral school (mainly in specialties in the human and social sciences, law, political science, economics and management). The thesis topic will then be refined with the future doctoral supervisor.
  • Browse through the websites of the laboratories and graduate schools (Ecoles universitaires de recherche - EUR) in your specialty to see which topics are suggested and the funding proposed.

At this stage, the student spends time reading and discussing the topic with the supervisor or any other resource person who can provide additional advice on the project's feasibility or the relevance of the proposed approach.

Choosing a topic and developing a research project are important decisions for your future. These decisions should be as well-informed as possible. Also check with Thèses.fr that the topic has not already been submitted.