phd studies in finland

Doctoral admissions

You can search for doctoral programmes on the application portal Studyinfo.fi , or you can contact the universities directly about the doctoral study and research options they offer. Check the application times and procedures, eligibility requirements and other details with the university you are interested in. The following links will take you to each university's Doctoral studies and research info pages.

• Aalto University
• University of Helsinki
• University of Eastern Finland
• University of Jyväskylä
• University of Lapland
• LUT University
• University of Oulu
• Hanken School of Economics
• University of the Arts Helsinki
• Tampere University
• University of Turku
• University of Vaasa
• Åbo Akademi University  

Doctoral / PhD funding opportunities

See the advice on doctoral level scholarships  to learn where you can search for doctoral level research funding. The universities may also offer paid doctoral and post-doc positions, see below.

Academic research positions and jobs

Announcements for doctoral and post-doc researcher positions at Finnish universities can also be found on academic recruitment sites like:

• Jobs in Finland / Academic
• Academicpositions.fi

Early career researcher info & advice

Information, advice and guidelines for early career researchers - compiled by the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT)

Scientific research in Finland

Research.fi is a service offered by the Ministry of Education and Culture where you can learn more about the Finnish science and innovation system and policy, and research conducted in Finland.

• Research.fi

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science

Application period:

Language of instruction:, eligibility:, field of study:, organising school:, table of contents, choose doctoral studies at the school of science.

The research at our school focuses on advanced energy solutions, condensed matter and materials physics; creation and transformation of technology based business; data science and artificial intelligence; health technology; neuroscience; and software engineering.

Through our internationally-acclaimed high-level research we aim to make a significant impact on society.

Doctoral education pilot

We are hiring 178 new doctoral researchers - get your doctorate from Aalto

Anna Cichonska uses data science to develop better healthcare

Dr. Cichonska has received two awards for her dissertation and now she helps develop preventive medicine using data science

Why can’t AI say ‘I don’t know’?

Overconfident AI systems can be dangerous, so researchers are teaching them humility

Your path to doctoral studies at the School of Science

• Apply for a salaried doctoral researcher position at Aalto. Salaried doctoral researcher positions are advertised at  Aalto University Open positions .
• If you are interested in  full-time studies but there are no open positions at the moment, please directly contact a professor in charge of your intended research field to discuss the possible supervision of doctoral studies. Professors may also have information on other funding possibilities (such as grants), as well as on upcoming positions that are not yet announced.
• If you are employed elsewhere but wish to pursue doctoral studies, that is possible either as a  full-time or part-time student , depending on your situation. In this case, please contact the potential supervising professor directly. Note that to pursue the degree, you need to reside in Finland at least part of the study time.
• In some cases it is also possible to start pursuing doctoral studies without funding (part-time doctoral studies). In this case, please contact the potential supervising professor directly. Note that to pursue the degree, you need to reside in Finland at least part of the study time. Non-Finnish citizens need therefore to take into account  the income requirements of the Finnish Immigration Service. 
• After agreeing with the supervising professor, apply for the study right in our doctoral programme (in addition to a possible working contract at Aalto) - see instructions below. Please note that you are not a doctoral student before you are officially admitted to the doctoral programme, even if you already have a salaried doctoral research position.

Note: Before applying for the salaried positions and/or contacting the potential supervising professor(s), please check below the requirements and qualifications needed for applying for the study right in our doctoral programme.

Discover your research topic and find a supervising professor

Research activities at the departments are arranged under research groups. If your research interest aligns with one of the research groups, it will be easier to find a doctoral study place.

Find research groups under our Department pages Research fields and supervising professors in the School of Science

In addition to the departments' and research groups' pages, you can use Aalto University's research portal for finding the professors who are researching the area in which you want to do your doctoral research. Before applying for doctoral studies you should be aware of the research done and researchers working in the field of your interest.

Aalto University's research portal for finding our researchers and research projects

More information on discovering your research topic and finding a professor

We care about your privacy.

You have not yet given permission to place the required cookies from YouTube.com. Accept the required cookies to view this content.

Basic information on doctoral studies

Objective of studies.

Doctoral students will be equipped with the professional skills and knowledge required for demanding academic research and teaching positions. They will be trained for management, research and development, and other specialist positions of the information society.

The departments, which are in charge of the doctoral programme’s education and research at the School of Science , offer research fields that are based on strong research traditions and research at the highest international level. The School of Science is also very active in various national and international doctoral education networks.

Content of studies and degree structure

Doctoral education at the School of Science is based on vigorous basic research, forming a strong basis for teaching as well as development and innovation activities. The most important part of the education is the research work, which is conducted in a robust and dynamic research environment. The theoretical studies that support the research work are tailored individually to suit the different needs of each doctoral student. The theses of the School of Science are of very high quality and often contain articles published in international peer-review journals. Full-time doctoral students can complete the doctoral degree in four years.

The Doctor of Science (Technology) degree consists of

• an approved doctoral thesis
• research field studies (20-35 ECTS)
• general research studies (5-20 ECTS)

Full-time or part-time studies

All doctoral students are defined as either full-time or part-time students. Doctoral students may not change their study mode by themselves, but it can be changed by application if necessary.

Full-time doctoral students plan their studies with the view to allowing the doctorate to be earned within four years of the right to pursue a doctoral degree being granted. Those applying for a full-time right to pursue a doctoral degree must have funding secured for at least 6 months (e.g. from the employer, or through project funding or a grant). Students employed outside Aalto University must append in their application a certificate issued by the employer proving their possibility to pursue full-time studies (i.e. a minimum of 80% of working hours may be used towards doctoral studies).

Those who do not meet the above criteria for full-time doctoral students are regarded as part-time doctoral students . This category includes, for instance, doctoral students who have a main occupation elsewhere than at the School of Science. Part-time doctoral students plan their studies so as to allow the doctoral degree to be completed in a maximum of eight years.

It is advisable to have a discussion with the part-time students on whether their research is closely connected to their work, and how their employer can support intensive doctoral studies alongside work.

Study language

The language of instruction is, in principle, English, but the doctoral thesis can also be completed in Finnish or Swedish.

The applicants will define in their application in which language they will pursue the degree. The possible languages are Finnish, Swedish, or English. If doctoral students want to write their doctoral thesis in Finnish or in Swedish, the language of the degree will be Finnish or Swedish. If the doctoral thesis is written in English, doctoral students can choose English as the language of the degree that must be approved by the doctoral programme committee. The language of degree can, on reasonable grounds, be changed at a later stage if the language of the doctoral thesis changes.

Funding and fees

The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are

• working in a salaried doctoral researcher position
• personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies

Most Aalto doctoral students combine different funding sources during their studies. 

How to find and apply for funding for doctoral studies and research? Generally Aalto University does not offer scholarships for doctoral studies. However, there is an on-going scholarship scheme until 2024 for students from African and South American countries: Finland Fellowship .

During the academic year 2024-2025, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture is funding 178 new doctoral researcher positions at Aalto University through a doctoral education pilot.

Doctoral education pilot: 178 doctoral researchers' salaried positions

Fees and costs

Aalto University doctoral studies are free of tuition fees. Aalto University does not charge fees for enrollment to the University. Doctoral students are welcome to join the Aalto University Student Union. The membership of the Student Union is subject to an annual fee.

If you need a residence permit for research in Finland, please see more information about income requirement at the Finnish Immigration Services .

International opportunities and Cotutelle

Internationality is an integral part of the school’s doctoral education in both recruiting and educating doctoral students. The School of Science is well connected to a number of top-level international universities and research institutes in its field.

Aalto University encourages its doctoral students to spend at least six months of their study time abroad, as international mobility enhances doctoral students’ career opportunities . Visiting a foreign university or research institute often means sharing knowledge and know-how, creating new ideas, expanding international networks, and developing one’s professional skills.

Cotutelle - joint supervision

The Aalto University encourages doctoral degrees that are jointly supervised with an international partner. These agreements are referred to as Cotutelle Agreements. Arrangements for joint supervision are made in terms of the studies and supervision of a single doctoral student that will be awarded degrees and the associated certificates from both universities.

Cotutelle agreements are part of the university's aim to achieve and maintain high quality of international standards in research and education. International cooperation is an integral part of the doctoral education of Aalto University, and one method for such cooperation is arrangements for the joint supervision of doctoral degrees. A doctoral student may earn a double degree under a joint supervision arrangement between two universities provided that the joint supervision is based on genuine scientific cooperation, bringing added value to the doctoral thesis and enhancing the quality of the research.

Cotutelle agreements should be made at the beginning of the studies but it requires a right to study at the Aalto University before any agreement can be made.

Multidisciplinary opportunities

The doctoral education networks collaborate through seminars, courses, summer schools and events as well as promoting networking, and increasing peer support among doctoral students.

Doctoral education networks

The School of Science operates in the following doctoral education networks:

Brain & Mind CMMP- Network in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Doctoral Education Network in Systems Analysis, Decision Making and Risk Management ENNUSTE - Doctoral Education Network in Nuclear Science and Technology FDNSS - Finnish Doctoral Education Network in Stochastics and Statistics HICT - Helsinki doctoral education network in information and communications technology Nordic IoT Hub - Nordic collaboration in Industrial IoT

More information

Career opportunities and employability for Aalto doctoral students

Why choose Aalto University?

How to apply?

The Doctoral Programme in Science invites applications continuously (applications will not be processed in July). The more exact application times can be found below.

Before submitting the application, each applicant must contact a supervising professor who is responsible in their intended research field to doctoral studies and the supervision of the studies. Applicants are urged to ensure that their expertise and research interests are commensurate with the research group (and those of the supervising professor of their studies) that they apply to.

Application dates & deadlines

Applies to all applicants, with the exception of applicants for part-time doctoral studies in the research field of Industrial Engineering and Management .

Applicants to the research field of Industrial Engineering and Management

• Applications are invited from full-time applicants to the research field of Industrial Engineering and Management once a month. The application deadlines are identical with those of other research fields in the programme, please see deadlines above.
• Applicants to part-time doctoral studies in the field of Industrial Engineering and Management may apply twice a year.

Application periods 2024: part-time applicants, Industrial Engineering and Management

Processing the applications

Each application is processed in the next possible meeting of the Doctoral Programme Committee when all the required materials have been received. Only applications with all the required materials will be processed. Incomplete applications will be rejected, unless the missing materials are sent by the deadline given. The right to pursue a degree will be valid only after the dean has granted the right and the applicant has accepted the offer of admission. The applicant has two weeks to accept the offer and cannot postpone the start of the right to pursue a degree.*

*Please note:

From 1 August 2016 onwards applicants who have been given an offer of admission may accept only one student place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (Universities Act 558/2009). Higher education degrees include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees awarded by universities as well as degrees from universities of applied sciences.

The academic terms run from 1 August to 31 December and from 1 January to 31 July. The acceptance of a student place is binding and cannot be cancelled. Even if the accepted applicants postpone the commencement of studies or give up their right to study, they cannot accept another study place leading to a higher education degree starting the same academic term.

Eligibility

The general eligibility criteria for higher education are defined in the Universities Act (558/2009, section 37) and in the Aalto University Student Admissions Criteria for 2023.

Eligible applicants for studies leading to a doctoral degree from the Doctoral Programme in Science will have completed:

• a relevant master’s degree awarded by a university;
• a relevant master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences; or
• a relevant study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for the corresponding level of higher education.

The university may require a student admitted to study towards an academic or artistic licentiate or doctoral degree to complete supplementary studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the study programme.

Policy on the recognition of degrees awarded outside Finland

Applicants holding a degree earned abroad are eligible for doctoral studies provided their degree gives them eligibility for corresponding higher education in the awarding country. As a general rule, the grounds for Aalto’s recognition of degrees earned abroad is that the normative time to attaining them is at least four years, which includes a master’s thesis or the equivalent, and that such studies in the view of the school equip the student with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue doctoral studies at the school. The general policy on the recognition of a European degree as the basis for doctoral degree studies is that it be a higher-education degree combination (3+2 years) earned in accordance with the Bologna Process principles.

Eligibility on the grounds of higher-education degrees with a structure differing from the abovementioned are considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, attention will focus particularly on how well the degree has prepared the applicant to pursue doctoral studies.

Policy on the recognition of master’s degrees from Finnish universities of applied sciences

Applicants with a master’s degree in a relevant field earned at a Finnish university of applied sciences are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for their aptitude to pursue doctoral studies. If the school deems the applicant with a relevant master's degree from a university of applied sciences as having the potential to complete the doctoral degree, the applicant will be assigned sufficient supplementary studies to allow him or her to begin the doctoral/licentiate studies. The scope of the supplementary studies may not, however, exceed 60 ECTS credits. If the scope of the supplementary studies exceeds this maximum, the applicant is advised to complete a master's degree at the university level before applying for a right to pursue the doctoral degree.

When assessing the students’ potential for successful doctoral studies and determining their need for supplementary studies, the school will consider the scope of master’s degrees at the student’s university of applied sciences (in Finland, such degrees are of 60–90 cr, less than the 120-credit scope of master’s degrees at Finnish universities such as Aalto).

Applicants with a prior degree earned abroad and corresponding to a relevant Finnish master’s degree from a university of applied sciences are treated equally to those with master’s degree from a Finnish university of applied sciences.

Evaluation criteria

The academic evaluation of the applicant is performed by the supervising professor in charge of the research field sought by the applicant. The Doctoral Programme Committee also evaluates the applicants. In addition, all applicants to the field of industrial engineering and management are evaluated by the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management.

The evaluation of applicants takes into account the following criteria:

Contents of the previous degree(s):

• sufficient basic information concerning the research field applied for; this information is collected from e.g. the major studies or advanced studies that were included in the applicant’s master's degree
• sufficient basic information to support the applicant’s ability to carry out the research work and writing for the doctoral thesis

The School of Science may set prerequisite studies for the applicant to complete by e.g. taking master’s level courses.

Academic performance:

• The applicant received a minimum grade of at least 4 (on a scale of 1–5) for the master's thesis
• an average grade of 3.5 (on a scale of 1–5)  for the master’s degree courses (excluding the thesis), OR
• if the applicant earned his/her master’s degree in accordance with the degree regulations of 1995 or earlier (when Finnish bachelor's and master's degree were not pursued separately), he or she received an average grade of at least 3.0 (scale 1–5) for the major at the master's level.

Exceptions to the grade limits mentioned above may be made only for special reasons set forth in a well-founded written statement by the supervising professor. In such cases, the Doctoral Programme will request a statement from the supervising professor.

Other evaluation criteria:

• the quality of the applicant’s university degree and its status internationally
• the applicant’s potential as a researcher; previous experience in research research-related work experience, conference presentations, journal articles, etc.
• relevance of the research topic: to ensure genuine research interest by the supervising professor and adequate resources to advise the student in the research of the department’s focus area
• the research proposal: the theoretical and practical innovative value of the topic; the feasibility of the research proposal (its quality, planned methods, etc.)
• time management and resources: the research proposal and the time the student has available for the doctoral studies over the next four (4) years
• the supervising resources of the university in the research field
• other grounds for admission presented by the applicant

Applicant evaluations for the research field of industrial engineering and management:

The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management and the supervising professor are responsible for evaluating applicants to the research field of industrial engineering and management. The Doctoral Programme will request an evaluation statement from the department. Preference will be given to applicants who have shown outstanding academic performance and are otherwise strongly qualified for doctoral studies in the department.

Required language proficiency

Successful applicants will have excellent skills in Finnish, Swedish, or English. The applicant chooses the language(s) of instruction that he/she will use for demonstrating proficiency.

Proficiency in a national language of Finland is demonstrated in accordance with the ‘General recommendations for admissions criteria for Finnish universities’.

Proficiency in English may be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

• The applicant has earned a degree taught in Finnish, Swedish or English in a higher education institution in Finland;
• The applicant has earned an English-medium higher education degree in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States while residing in the respective country;
• The applicant has received his or her primary and secondary education in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States while residing in the respective country;
• The applicant has completed the Aalto Executive Education MBA, EMBA or DBA degree; 
• The applicant has completed CEMS Master in International Management entity; or
• Applicants submit their English-language test results in accordance with the information below.

In points 1–3 of the above list, a minimum of one half of the aforementioned degree must be completed in a country and higher education institution that meets the requirements for exempting the student from taking an English test. The language of the degree must be stated unambiguously in the degree certificate or its appendix, or in the transcript of records or other official document issued by the awarding institution. If the degree was completed in more than one language, the appendix must clearly indicate the amount of studies that were completed in English.

In points 1 – 2 of the above list, a university degree showing language proficiency must be at least three years' lower university degree, at least one year's higher university degree or doctorate. The university must be a recognised part of the country's official national education system. The university must be found on the country's official list of recognised universities with a right to degree-granting or on a list of recognised universities maintained by an international organisation (e.g., UNESCO). 

The university must be recognised in the country of point 1 or 2.

The recognized English language tests and their minimum scores required for admission to doctoral studies are (Aalto University Admissions Criteria 2022):

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5, and 5.5 for Writing;
• IBT (Internet-based Test): 92, and 22 for the Writing section or
• iBT® Special Home Edition: 92 and 22 for the Writing section
• PDT (Paper-Delivered Test): Reading 22, Listening 22, and Writing 24
• C1 Advanced, prev. Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A,B or C
• C2 Proficiency, prev. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: A,B,C or Level C1
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A): 62, and 54 for writing
• When it comes to the IELTS and TOEFL tests, the following online tests are also accepted: TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition ja IELTS Indicator (Academic).

In addition, at the School of Science, an English language test is not required in doctoral admissions of applicants who have:

• been deemed by their supervising professor as having sufficient proficiency in English to pursue doctoral studies. The supervising professor must submit a written statement on the language skills of the applicant and the statement should be added in the application. If the applicant does not submit the statement together with other application documents the Doctoral Programme will request the statement from the supervising professor.

Submission of English test result:

Only official reports of the language test are acceptable as proof of proficiency.

• For IELTS test, upload a copy of the official test report (as a PDF) to the application system. The test results are verified through the test administrator’s electronic verification service.
• TOEFL test results must be sent to Aalto University by the test administrator directly. Request your official score report to be sent from the test administrator to Aalto University reporting code  7364 . Unofficial score reports sent by applicants will not be accepted. Test scores submitted with the Aalto University reporting code are checked for authenticity in the test administrator’s verification database. The scores are available within 1 to 2 weeks of sending the score report request.
• PTE test scores are sent via the test administrator’s electronic service. Applicants who took the PTE test must log in to their PTE account and send their results in the system to Aalto University. The test administrator notifies by email when the results have been sent to the university.
• For the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency language test, upload a PDF copy of the results report to the application system. The test-taker’s ID number (e.g. ABC1234567) and reference number (e.g. 173YU0034522) must be entered in the system. Test takers must be logged in to the language test system to submit their results to Aalto University. The results are verified electronically.

Validity of the language test

The language test result has to be valid at least on the day of the Doctoral Programme Committee meeting where the applicant's application is processed.

More information on the language tests can be found on the pages of the test providers:

• IELTS  (ielts.org)
• TOEFL  (ets.org)
• PTE Academic  (pearsonpte.com)
• C1 Advanced (cambridgeesol.org)
• C2 Proficiency (cambridgeesol.org)

Application procedure

• Read the application instructions carefully and prepare all the required appendices (listed and explained in more detail below). Remember signatures of yourself, your supervising professor and thesis advisor for all necessary documents. By signing these documents, the professor confirms to be your supervising professor.
• Apply on the online application system (Studyinfo.fi, current link below). In the beginning of the application form, please choose the Doctoral Programme in Science as your study programme (" Add study programme"). 
• For choosing the mode of study, see the definition of full-time and part-time doctoral students.
• Language of the degree: Choose English unless you wish to write your doctoral thesis in Finnish or Swedish.
• Fill in the application carefully. The required appendices depend on your choices.
• Attach all the required documents as pdf documents. There are some documents required for every applicant and others required only for those whose Master's degree is from elsewhere than Aalto University. Please see the details below.
• Submit the application by the deadline.
• Send certified hard copies / verified documents of the required degree documents if your M.Sc. degree is from elsewhere than Aalto University or one of its preceders (explained in more detail below). Remember that these are needed before admission.

Required appendices for all applicants

Please submit the following appendices in Studyinfo.fi when using the Electronic application form .

In the application form, please choose Doctoral Programme in Science as a study programme ("Add study programme").

The study plan, research plan, supervision plan and funding plan must all be approved and signed by both the applicant and the supervising professor . Upon his or her signature of the documents, the professor in charge of the research field agrees to act as the supervising professor of the applicant.

After reading the instructions and getting all the documents ready, fill in the application, attach all the required documents (and the additional appendices required for those with master's degree elsewhere than at Aalto University) and send it.

Curriculum vitae (CV)

Include a list of publications and proof of other scientific activity. Template for a researcher's CV .

Credit plan

A preliminary Study plan (credit plan) for the theoretical studies of the degree, 40 ECTS. You and your supervising professor have to sign this document. 

See the Curriculum of the Doctoral Programme in Science for instructions.

Research plan

Research plan with an implementation schedule.

Funding plan

Funding plan is a free format document including the following information:

The source, the amount and the start and end dates of secured funding, More information on funding your doctoral studies (aalto.fi)

Supervision plan

Carefully read the guidelines , which give detailed information about the mutual duties and responsibilities of the supervising professor, thesis advisors and doctoral student, before filling in the responsibilities to the Supervision plan template .

• You can have  1–3 thesis advisor(s). Theses advisors need to have a doctoral degree (remember to check this especially in case of advisors who work outside Aalto University). The supervising professor can be one of the thesis advisors. In case you don't have separate advisor(s), supervising professor will be nominated to both roles.
• You, your supervising professor, (possible co-supervisor) and thesis advisor(s) have to sign this document.

At SCI a deputy supervising professor has to be assigned always. The deputy professor has to be a tenure-track professor of the school.

Identification document

Copy of the identity page of the passport or other official identification that indicates the citizenship of the applicant.

Copy of the degree certificate and the transcript of study records

• Master's degree certificate
• Official transcripts of records of all the courses included in the master’s degree
• All the appendices of the degree documents (typically the Diploma Supplement in European Higher Education Area). 
• Official translations of the degree certificate and the transcript of records, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English.
• The (translated) documents should clearly indicate the thesis grade, evaluation and the grading scale used.

Note, if your degree is from Aalto University, you can submit only the official transcript of records. 

Please upload these as scanned copies to the electronic application form in Studyinfo. Depending on the situation and your choices in the form, you may need to upload these documents twice. This is because of the structure of the form.

Please submit also the certified hard copies /verified degree documents according to the instructions described below . Submit the certified copies/verification documents to the doctoral programme before admission. Please note that certified hard copies will not be returned to you. In case your master's degree is from Aalto University (or any of its preceders), or from another University in Finland (degree completed after 2003) and you have a Finnish personal identification code, the certified copies are not required.

Proof of proficiency in Finnish, Swedish or English

In the application form, you choose how you demonstrate the language proficiency. Depending on your master's degree origin, you demonstrate the language proficiency either by your master's degree certificate and transcripts, or by an English-language test. See the details about different options in Language proficiency section above.

Pay attention that the degree language is mentioned in your degree documents (in options 2-3 of demonstrating the language proficiency ). Please contact [email protected] , if you have questions regarding your language proficiency.

Submitting the English-language test result (in option 6)

• A copy of the official IELTS score report (PDF-copy) is uploaded in the application system. The test result will be verified by Aalto University from the test provided.
• PTE scores are submitted through the electronic result service. The applicant need to sign in to his/her own PTE-account and send the test result through the electronic certification service to Aalto University. The test provider will inform by e-mail, when the test score has been submitted to the University.
• A copy of the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency language test score report (PDF-copy) is uploaded in the application system. The ID-number (e.g. ABC123456) and the reference number (e.g. 173YU0034522) need to be mentioned on the application form. The applicant also need to sign in to the language test system and share the scores with Aalto University. The scores will be verified electronically.

Additional appendices required for those with master's degree elsewhere than at Aalto University

Applicants with a master’s degree or education earned elsewhere than at Aalto University (or at one of its predecessors) must also provide the following documents:

An abstract of master's thesis in English

Please submit the abstract of your master’s thesis in English, so that we know what your master’s thesis was about.

Documents confirming eligibility or degree language

If needed, submit a document confirming eligibility for doctoral studies in the country that awarded the the degree or gave the education (see section Eligibility) and a certified translation of it, if the original document is not in Finnish, Swedish or English. You can attach the document in Studyinfo or send it via email to [email protected] .

You may also need to submit a certificate from the university proving the degree language , if the information is not available in other official degree documents. In this case, please use the same procedure as described above.

Certified hard copies / verified degree document if the degree is awarded by a higher education institution outside Finland

Please, send the certified hard copies / verified degree documents of the required degree documents including official translations (listed above) also by postal mail to our office (Kitta Peura, Doctoral Programme in Science, P O BOX 15500, 00076 AALTO).

Country specific instructions:

Applicants who have completed their master's degree in: Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sudan, the United Kingdom or the United States:

Please note that the required degree documents including official translations need to be submitted according to the country-specific document requirements . Read the requirements on Country-specific requirements , and send the documents to the doctoral programme as required in the "Country specific requirements". If the documents need to be sent by postal mail, the address is: Kitta Peura, Doctoral Programme in Science, P O BOX 15500, 00076 AALTO. If you use courier services, please send the documents to this address: Kitta Peura, Doctoral Programme in Science, Maarintie 8, 02150 Espoo, Finland. If the documents can be submitted electronically (they can be verified in an electronic system), send them by e-mail to [email protected] . 

Please DO NOT send the documents to the Admission Services as instructed in the country specific requirements webpage.

Certified hard copies if the degree is awarded by a higher education institution in Finland

• If you have completed a degree in Finland after 1 January 2003 and you have a Finnish personal identification code , Aalto University will verify your degree electronically using a national database and you do not need to send anything by postal mail.
• If your degree was completed before 1 January 2003 , or you do not have a Finnish personal identification code, send certified hard copies of the required degree documents (listed above) to our office by postal mail (Kitta Peura, Doctoral Programme in Science, P O BOX 15500, 00076 AALTO).

Certified hard copies and translations - detailed instructions

Copies of degree certificates and a transcript of records must be certified by the awarding university or by a notary public . The copies must be taken from the original, official documents. A multiple-page certified copy must be certified on the front side of every page. Each page must have the certifying official’s original signature, printed name, ink stamp and date . Copies of officially certified copies are not accepted, thecertifying official’s ink stamps and signatures must be original. A note declaring official copy status (such as a “True copy” stamp) is insufficient.

The translation is official if it has been done by the higher education institution that awarded the degree or by a certified translator (authorised translator) . The translations must have the certified translator’s original ink stamp and signature.

The official translations must be either original or certified paper copies of the original documents. Unofficial copies of the translations are insufficient. The official translations must be accompanied by certified paper copies of the original documents in the original language. Translations by themselves are insufficient.

Sending certified copies by mail to Aalto University (guidelines given by the Finnish customs)

• Send the consignment of documents as a letter. Do not send it as a parcel.
• Do not determine a value for the letter, when sending it. Do not indicate even the amount paid for a possible insurance for the consignment.  
• If the country of dispatch requires the sender to determine a value for the consignment of documents, the value is zero (euros or other currency).
• The goods description for the consignment should be, for example, documents .

If you have any questions about admissions and application instructions, you can contact [email protected]

In case of programme-specific questions and inquiries, you may also contact the Learning Services of the Doctoral Programme in Science .

Departments of School of Science

Department of mathematics and systems analysis.

Our main research areas are algebra and discrete mathematics, analysis, applied mathematics and mechanics, stochastics and statistics, and systems analysis and operations research.

Department of Computer Science

cs.aalto.fi

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management

We conduct world-class research and education focusing on the creation and transformation of technology-based business.

Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

We study system-level dynamic functions of the human brain, mind and body.

Department of Applied Physics

The Department of Applied Physics pursues vigorous research in physical sciences and creates important industrial applications.

• Published: 19.12.2019
• Updated: 16.4.2024

European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics at UEF recognised with a Master Course Award

Meri löyttyniemi appointed as the research manager of the sustainability transformations doctoral education pilot, study sheds first light on right atrium changes in cardiovascular diseases, course on multilateral environmental agreements, matti tweshiningilwa nghikembua, msc: doctoral defence in forestry, joensuu, gulraiz iqbal choudhary, msc: doctoral defence in computer science, joensuu.

Find more news and events

Refine your search

Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies

The Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies offers research training for postgraduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in the field of education, home economics and craft science. The research themes of the doctoral degree programme cover education, training, teaching, learning, development and instruction, well-being, learning environments and teacher education, and related social and cultural issues. The Doctoral Programme provides an opportunity for multidisciplinary and multimethodological research in education. The research may also focus on specific issues related to craft science and home economics. The disciplines included in the doctoral programme are adult education, special education, educational science, home economics, craft science and early childhood education. The doctoral programme is also open to doctoral students pursuing a doctorate in mathematics and science if the topic of their doctoral research is related to the research themes of the doctoral programme.

Research areas in the doctoral programme

The supervision of doctoral researchers is connected to the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, and the fields of Education and Adult Education as well as Special Education at the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology. 

Research areas of the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Educati…

Research areas of the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology

How to apply?

Please, read carefully the admission criteria and all other available instructions to check up that you are an eligible applicant to the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies. If you have questions or if you are unsure about your eligibility, contact amanuensis of the Doctoral Programme before submitting your application. Start preparing supervisory arrangements in good time - finding supervisors can take for a long time. You must contact potential supervisors  and discuss your doctoral research ideas and plans with them before submitting the application. Prepare your research plan carefully, it is important part of your application. Prepare also other application documents carefully. Allow enough time to complete and submit the online application form at Studyinfo.fi.

Philosophical Faculty

• Doctor of Philosophy (Education), Licentiate in Philosophy (Education)

Subjects: adult education, special education, educational science, early childhood education, home economics and craft science

• Doctor of Philosophy

Subjects: adult education, educational science, home economics and craft science  

Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology

• Doctor of Philosophy, Licentiate in Philosophy

Subjects: physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science

Admission criteria

Eligible applicants for doctoral studies in the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies must have completed by the end of the application period

Master's degree with science of adult education, special education/pedagogy, education, early childhood education, home economics or craft science as their major subject or completed advanced studies in any of these subjects or

Master's degree in some other relevant field of study or Master's degree at a university of applied sciences in a relevant field of study

Candidates applying from the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology are expected to have a subject teacher's qualification in physics, chemistry, mathematics or computer science, and the topics of postgraduate studies are related to learning, teaching or teacher education in these subjects.

Applicants must have

completed at least 60 ECTS credits in the major subject or other applicable subject of the doctoral degree

completed advanced studies with the grade "good" or higher

completed Master's thesis or an equivalent final thesis with the grade "good" or higher

sufficient English skills in order to complete the doctoral studies. The applicant can verify her/his English skills with an attachment to the application according to selection criteria

two supervisors, one of which is a professor from the doctoral programme. Supervisor consent form KASVA 

• a research plan of high quality approved by the supervisors

The board of the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies will assess the quality of the applicant's research plan and its relevance to the research topics of the programme.

Further details on selections criteria, instructions for making application and attachments required can be found in Studyinfo-service.

English language skills

Eligible applicants for doctoral studies must have sufficient English skills in order to complete the doctoral studies. Doctoral students are expected to be able to write scientific texts, participate in teaching, and communicate fluently with university staff in English.

The applicant can verify her/his English skills with an attachment to the application. These attachments must include a degree diploma, transcript of studies and a Diploma Supplement if the applicant has:

English as foreign language included in at least a Bachelor-level degree conducted in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) or in an EU/EEA country;

At least 20 ECTS university-level studies in the subject of English Studies completed in a Nordic or in an EU/EEA country;

Master's thesis written in English when Master's degree is completed in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country;

Bachelor's or Master's degree completed in English language in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country or Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States;

Doctoral Degree completed in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country or Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States;   

Secondary education and final examination completed in English (for example International Baccalaureate) in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country or Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States.  

In other case, the applicant is to prove her/his language skills in English with an English language test:  

TOEFL paper-based: Total score 600 and Writing 4.0;

TOEFL Internet-based and Special Home Edition of TOEFL iBT: Total Score 100 and Writing 22;

IELTS (Academic) on paper, on computer or online: Overall Score 6.5 and Writing 5.5;

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English), min. 59 points;

C1 Advanced (CAE), pass levels A, B or C / C2 Proficiency (CPE), pass levels A, B, C or level C1 Certificate;

National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI). Skills level 5 or 6 in the reading comprehension, writing and speaking subtests. 

For more information on the tests, please contact the language testing organizations.

Please note that a written statement by the applicant, prospective supervisor, English teacher, etc., is not an adequate proof of the applicant's sufficient English skills.

Research plan

Research proposal for the application, doctoral programme in educational studies.

When applying for doctoral degree studies, a research plan must be enclosed with the application. The student prepares the plan with his/her supervisors, and it must be approved by them. The research plan must cover the entire doctoral dissertation. If the research topic and materials change substantially during the studies, a new plan must be made. If the changes are significant, approval must be sought from the faculty. The research plan is usually drafted in Finnish or English. The maximum length of the research plan is ten pages (A4, single-spaced, Times or Arial 12 pt, 2-3 cm marginals).  

The research plan should apply the following structure: 

Title of the research and the name and contact information of the postgraduate student

Background - a short summary of the theoretical background of the research with necessary sources (including the methodological basis) - a description of earlier research related to the topic  - a description of what remains unknown about the research topic and an explanation of the research's relevance on a national and/or international scale

Aims and research questions - the aims of the research clearly defined and presented  - the research hypotheses or assumptions

Materials and methods - a description of the research methods and materials used, and the grounds for choosing the particular methods - a description of how the data and materials will be handled and used (also after the research has been completed) - a working plan, a plan for different stages of the work

Schedule and funding plans - a description and a schedule for the different stages of the work - the funding plan and funding sources of the research

The ethical aspects of the research - the ethical aspects of the research (e.g. whether the research requires statements from ethics committees or statutory research permits; possible permits should be attached to the research plan) 

Publication plan - the means and mode of publishing and/or presenting the research results

Applications of research results - an estimation of the applications and the social significance of the research results

References - a list of the references cited in the research plan 

The names of the persons and units participating in the research project

Funding doctoral studies

The right to pursue doctoral studies does not include funding or a contract of employment or teaching tasks at the University. However, full-time doctoral students need funding to cover their costs of living and potential research costs (travel costs, research material etc.). Funding options should be discussed with the supervisor already when planning to apply for a doctoral study right and creating a research plan.

Doctoral studies can be funded for example by a scholarship, by working as a researcher in a research project, by working as a doctoral candidate at the University of Eastern Finland (doctoral student position), or by studying part-time while at work. Doctoral students apply for funding themselves.

Read more about funding options of doctoral studies on Kamu Student handbook .

Application period

The application form for the Doctoral Program in Educational Studies on Studyinfo.fi is open during the spring semester from the beginning of January until the last weekday of May, and during the autumn semester from the beginning of August until the last weekday of November. Always check the exact application deadlines from Studyinfo.fi. Applications are processed as needed during the semester, and the granted study right begins in the same semester.  

What is Studyinfo.fi?

Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland.

Apply via Studyinfo

Fill in the online application for the programme at the studyinfo portal, dissertation and studies, requirements for doctoral dissertations, doctoral dissertation at the philosophical faculty  .

An eligible doctoral dissertation may be a monograph or a collection of research articles. A collection of research articles refers to an entity consisting a sufficient number of scientific publications of manuscripts, which examine the same set of problems, and an independently compiled summary based on them. At the Philosophical Faculty the article-based dissertation contains at least three peer-reviewed articles, two of which must have been accepted for publication and the third accepted for the review process. If the publications include collaborative works, the doctoral candidate must attest to his/her independent contribution either in the summary or in a separate appendix. The doctoral candidate must be the first author (responsible author) of at least three articles. A collaborative publication may be included in no more than two person's licentiate theses or doctoral dissertations.  

Requirements and evaluation of a Doctoral Dissertation at the Philosophical Faculty .

Studies and degree structure

The studies leading to the doctoral degree available in the doctoral programme in Educational studies comprise the doctoral dissertation, as well as doctoral studies of 50 ECTS.

• transferable skills studies (10-15 ECTS) contain philosophy of science and ethics, scientific writing skills and academic and other working life skills
• studies in the discipline and field of research (35-40 ECTS) contain research methods, research seminars and other discipline-specific postgraduate studies.  

Detailed information of the degree structure and study requirements in UEF Study Guide in Peppi .

Amanuensis Kaisu Kortelainen will answer queries concerning the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies and postgraduate studies at the Philosophical Faculty, [email protected].

Further information about guidance and supervision in doctoral studies .

Instructions and forms for doctoral studies

You can find information for different phases in the doctoral education on Kamu Student handbook :

• Doctoral education at the University of Eastern Finland
• Starting doctoral education
• Doctoral curriculum and study requirements
• Internationalisation in doctoral education
• Guidance and support in doctoral education
• Support for doctoral research
• Funding of doctoral education
• Wellbeing of doctoral researcher
• Permission for public examination and pre-examination of doctoral dissertation
• Publishing of doctoral dissertation

News and events

Dissertation press releases in educational studies, finding one’s strengths and networks is crucial in tomorrow’s world of work, a memorable research exchange in finland, university of eastern finland and university of namibia expand collaboration to social sciences, enhancing thai teachers’ media skills in digital learning environments, learning analytics can provide meaningful data on learning and teaching, improving teacher education in palestine.

All dissertations

Upcoming examinations in Educational Studies

All examinations

Further information on the doctoral programme

Kaisu Kortelainen

Academic affairs specialist.

Student and Learning Services, University Services

kaisu.​kortelainen​@uef.fi

+358505623565

Markku Niemivirta

School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, Philosophical Faculty

markku.​niemivirta​@uef.fi

+358505189827

Jaana Viljaranta

School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Philosophical Faculty

jaana.​viljaranta​@uef.fi

+358503256093

Get a PhD in Business and Economics

• Suomenkielisenä Hankenille
• Ansökan steg för steg
• Hankens språkprov i svenska
• Finländsk studentexamen
• IB-, EB och finländsk Reifeprüfung-examen
• Betygsantagning 2026
• Svenska meriter
• Ekonomiguru-tävlingen
• 60 sp öppna universitetsstudier
• Överflyttande studerande
• Ansökan om ändring
• Ofta förekommande frågor (FAQ)
• Why Hanken?
• The programme
• Application step-by-step
• Certificate-based admission
• SAT/ACT admission
• Language requirements
• Required attachments
• Lodging an appeal
• Tuition fees Bachelor
• Scholarships Bachelor
• Working during your studies Bachelor
• Why Helsinki, Finland?
• Student experiences
• Entreprenörskap och företagsledning
• Finansiell ekonomi
• Företagsledning och organisation
• Handelsrätt
• Logistik och samhällsansvar
• Marknadsföring
• Nationalekonomi
• Redovisning
• QTEM Certificate
• Vad är GPA, GMAT och GRE?
• Vad är ekonomiska vetenskaper?
• Språkkrav i svenska
• Hur väljs studerande?
• FAQ - vanliga frågor
• Governance and Commercial Law
• Past activities
• Traineeships
• Double degree with EMLyon
• Marketing and Management (Vaasa)
• Application process step-by-step
• Required previous studies
• GMAT/GRE or GPA requirement
• Application Enclosures
• Rolling Admission
• Appeal of the admission decision
• Life in Finland
• Tuition fees MSc students
• GBSN Scholarship for students from developing countries
• Finland Scholarship
• Working during your studies
• Quality of education
• Safety and housing
• Application Newsletter and Contact
• Majors and Supervisors
• Five Questions to the PhD Supervisor
• Doctoral Theses
• Programme Structure
• Social Security for Grant Holders
• The Application Process
• General Requirements
• GPA or GMAT/GRE
• Major Specific Requirements
• GMAT and GRE
• Language Requirements
• Research Proposal
• Application Documents
• Lodge an appeal
• Course offering, registration and terms
• Start your studies at the open university
• Fast track to BSc programme (in Swedish only)
• Executive Education & EMBA
• The Student Union
• Helsinki for Students
• Vaasa for Students
• Unwrapping Finland
• Partner Universities
• Planning the Exchange
• Requirements
• Exchange Application
• Before the Exchange
• During the Exchange
• After the Exchange
• Exchange Studies Outside the Exchange Programme
• Contact Details
• Summer and Winter Schools
• Application process
• Accommodation
• Residence permit
• Insurance and health services
• Financing and cost of living
• Student Union membership
• Arrival and orientation course
• QTEM Studies
• Academic Partners
• Application
• Graduation Ceremony
• Incoming Students
• Winter School - Incoming exchange
• Grants for students
• Hanken’s research impact
• Principles and policies
• Projects and partnerships
• Publishing at Hanken
• Open science and research ethics
• Find an expert
• Types of Grants
• Application Process
• Conditions for Grant Awards
• Requisition, Payment and Repayment
• Report of Used Funds
• HR Excellence in Research
• The Basic capital
• Anniversary donations
• Legacy gifts
• About Hanken's fundraising
• Why donate?
• Fazer Award
• Anders Wall stipendium
• Count on Hanken
• Your alumni page
• Information for new alumni
• The HANKEN magazine
• Alumni Letter
• Lifelong learning
• Journal database
• JobTeaser career portal
• Hankendagen
• The International Alumni Day
• Mentorship is a valuable experience
• Mentorship is listening carefully and sharing experience
• Participants in Hanken's popular mentorship programme: “It's totally worth applying for!”
• Share your expertise
• Alumni of the Year
• Alumni stories
• Hanken Ambassadors
• Branding Partner
• Hanken Network Day
• Hanken International Talent
• Hanken's job board
• Contact Hanken students
• Meet students at Hanken
• Documentary
• Inspiring Individuals
• Partner universities
• PhD Programme in Finance
• WCEFIR - Wallenberg Center for Financial Research
• JCF SI Conference 2023
• Studies in Statistics
• PhD Programme
• Contact information
• Bachelor's degree studies
• General track
• Research track
• PhD studies
• Economics as a minor
• Publications in economics
• Research and research groups
• Bachelor's and master's studies
• Master's studies
• Career opportunities
• Contact Information
• Collaborate with us
• Ongoing research
• Om Hanken New Ventures
• Tidigare evenemang
• Startup Program
• Samarbete genom företagsuppdrag
• Nyttiga länkar
• REFERENSER Start-ups
• Kontaktuppgifter
• Researchers at CCR
• Research clusters
• Affiliated Researchers
• Publications and projects
• Workshop Series
• Disclosure Platform for Companies
• Publication Seminar
• Publications
• Reports and memos
• 29/05 2019 Seminar "Human rights – why should investors care?"
• 28/05 & 29/01 2019- "What do you think?" Seminars
• 15/08 2018 - Seminar "The Political Ontology of Corporate Responsibility research"
• 05/03 & 07/05 2018 - "What do you think?" Collaborative and Cross-disciplinary Seminars
• 20/03 2018 - Seminar on "Responsible meta-organisations"
• 15/12/2017 - CCR Christmas Research-Get-Together!
• 14/12/2017 - Seminar with DS Fellow Henning Grosse Ruse Khan
• Agenda and Practicalities
• Presentations and Bio of Speakers
• Your way in and around HANKEN
• News around the event
• Picture Gallery
• 16/10 & 11/12/2017 - “What do you think?” – Collaborative and Cross-disciplinary Seminars
• 31/08 & 01/09/2017 - Research seminars with Farzad Khan
• 06/06/2017 - Breakfast seminar
• 27/04/2017 - Research seminar of Professor Jeremy Moon
• 31/09/2016 - Launch of CCR
• Call for Papers
• Registration
• Hotel Booking
• Plenary Speakers
• Detailed Program
• Book of Abstracts
• Plenary Sessions Videos
• Your Arrival
• Participants' Guidance
• Vision and Mission
• Co-Directors
• Board Members
• Secretariat
• Researchers
• Ongoing Research
• Completed Projects
• Associated Groups
• Books and Book Chapters
• Doctoral Dissertations
• Digital Material
• GODESS in Society
• 30.11.2017: Seminar with Robbin Derry
• 28.09.2017: seminar with Eva Maria Blazquez Agudo
• 16.03.2017: Seminar with Jeff Hearn
• 02.02.2017: Seminar with Charlotte Holgersson
• 26.11.2016: Doctoral Thesis Defence of Tricia Cleland Silva
• 25.11.2016: Launch of the GODESS Institute
• Minor studies
• Bachelor's studies
• Study modules
• PhD studies in SCM & SR
• People at SCM&SR
• The Nordic School Book
• Introduction to the Nordic School of Service in Japan
• Christian Grönroos - Legend in Marketing
• CERS 25th Anniversary Seminar: “Service Transforming Society”
• CERS Network
• Visitors at CERS
• Services for companies
• Doctoral dissertations
• Customers and Relations
• Marketing Logics and Strategizing
• Business, Markets and Societal Dynamics
• Marketing Effectiveness and Profitability
• Services Marketing and Philosophy
• Finnish Innovation Index 2024
• Finnish Innovation Index 2023
• Finnish Innovation Index 2022
• Finnish Innovation Index 2021
• Innovation Index Coalition (IIC)
• Boosting Space Business – Aurora Region Space Economy Ecosystem (AuroraSpace)
• Co-worker Alignment with Value Propositions
• The Data Paradox: Aligning Digitalization and Data Policies for Consumer and Employee Well-Being
• Ostrobothnia Tourism Roadmap 2030
• Destination Kvarken
• Food Innovation
• InnoVäxthus
• Consumer Newsscape Project
• Kvarken Space Center
• ServicePulse
• A word from the Director of the Institute
• Board of Directors
• People at HUMLOG
• Waste in humanitarian Operations: Reduction and Minimisation (WORM)
• Self-organization, Support and Integration
• Cross-sector partnerships for sustainable innovations and closing the loops in the humanitarian supply chain (Co-loop)
• DigCBA: Responsible Use of Digital Cash-Based Assistance in Refugee Crises
• Last mile logistics innovation (LOGIN)
• Resilient Multimodel Freight Transport Network (ReMuNet)
• SRC Logistics Review and Analysis
• UrbanSymbiosis
• sCience & human factOr for Resilient sociEty (CORE)
• Health Emergency Response in Interconnected Systems (HERoS)
• Frontline Humanitarian Logistics
• Integrated system for real-time TRACKing and collective intelligence in civilian humanitarian missions
• Analysis and Mitigation of Cargo Theft Risk
• Cash and/or Carry: The challenges and modalities of delivery in Covid-19 crisis
• Cash and/or carry: The challenges and modalities of delivering aid in conflict zones
• DRC Supply Chain Review
• Innovative sustainable urban last mile: small vehicles and business models (i-SMILE)
• Waste management and measuring, reverse logistics, environmentally sustainable procurement and transport, and circular economy. (WREC)
• UNHCR Supply Chain Certification programme
• Cascading Innovation Upstream the Supply Chain
• An Integrated Methodological Framework for Emergency Logistics
• Resilience in Disaster Relief and Development Supply Chains
• Risk management of extreme weather related disasters and climate change adaption
• Pictures from "WIM for Partners" training, Copenhagen, October 2015
• Relief Supply Chain Management
• Research Outline - Food Security and Development Project
• Gender and Humanitarian Logistics
• Stories from our master's students
• Doctoral studies
• HUMLOG Board Award
• Bibliography
• Articles related to the JHLSCM
• HNPW Networks
• Cooperate with us
• Our Fellows
• Bachelor and Master Studies
• Master's Degree studies in English
• Career prospects
• Auditor examination in Finland
• Botnia Accounting & Auditing Seminar
• Bachelor and Master studies
• Master studies in Intellectual Property Law
• Research in Commercial Law
• Message from the director
• Honorary Fellows
• Accounting for Sustainability seminar
• English as a minor
• Suomen kieli
• Finnish as a minor
• Projects within the Finnish department
• French as a minor
• German as a minor
• Russian as a minor
• Spanish as a minor
• Minor in the national languages of Finland
• Learning environments in Swedish
• Projektet Finlandssvenskars skrivande i arbetslivet
• Undersida under arbete
• Grants within the Language Centre
• Competence centres
• Hanken & SSE
• Students from Ukraine
• After Class med Jesper & Dennis
• Career Podcast
• Gyllene studietider at Hanken
• Hankens Summer Pods
• Humanitarian Unwrapped
• Sustainability Unwrapped
• Pod archive
• Mission – Vision – Values
• Hanken in Figures
• Accreditations and Rankings
• Quality Handbook and Quality System
• Competency Goals
• The Hanken 2030 Strategy
• Financial Statements
• Two Study Locations
• Sustainable campus
• Institutions and competence centres for sustainable development
• Societal engagement in research
• Sustainability in Education
• Program Details
• PRME Hanken
• Hanken Progress Reports
• Nordic Regional Chapter and Hanken
• SDG week 2022
• SDG Week 2023
• Sustainable Organisation
• Hanken's Organisation Chart
• University Collegium
• The Board of Hanken
• Members of the Academic Councils
• International Advisory Board
• External Stakeholder Advisory Board
• Rector and Deans
• Office of Education and Digital Services
• Marketing and Communication
• Corporate Relations and Outreach
• International partnerships and mobility
• Hanken Business Lab
• Hanken Support Foundation
• Experts for media
• Pictures and logos
• Job opportunities
• Code of Conduct
• Videon från dataskyddsseminarier på Hanken (GDPR)
• De inhemska språken i kandidatexamen
• Ämnesval i Vasa
• Mognadsprov i kandidatexamen
• Master's degree structure
• Swedish summary (in Swedish)
• Maturity Test
• Plagiarism control
• Support for study planning
• At the start of your studies
• Funding for your doctoral research studies
• Structure and Regulations
• Study administration
• Change of Major
• Change of Supervisor
• Doctoral Courses
• External Networks and Partners
• Doctoral Studies Abroad
• Composite Thesis
• Licentiate Thesis
• Public Defence
• Degree Certificate
• Conferment Doctoral Degrees
• Coaching for PhD students
• General information
• Entreprenörskap och företagsledning / Entrepreneurship, Management and Organisation
• Finansiell ekonomi / Finance
• Företagsledning och organisation / Management and Organisation
• Handelsrätt / Commercial Law
• Informationsbehandling / Information Systems Science
• Logistik och samhällsansvar / Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility
• Marknadsföring / Marketing
• Nationalekonomi / Economics
• Redovisning / Accounting
• Statistik / Statistics
• Engelska / English
• Finska / Finnish
• Franska / French
• Spanska / Spanish
• Svenska / Swedish
• Tyska / German
• Sommarkurser / Summer courses
• JOO studies at another university
• Hanken MOOCs
• CR minor for degree students
• CR module for non-degree students
• LITO study module
• Study Module in Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility
• Study Module in IP Law
• Study Module in Commercial Law
• Open University
• Document requirements
• Country-Specific document requirements
• Registration as absent first year of enrolment
• Student card Frank
• Health Insurance
• Registration with authorities
• Practical tips for students new to Finland
• Information for parents
• Orientation Days and tutoring
• Events for newly admitted students
• Language selection - new bachelor's students
• Finding my way
• The study plan
• Study plans 2023-2025
• Course registration
• Study calendar & schedules
• Completed credits in Sisu
• My profile, credits and applications
• Search page
• Transcript of studies and certificate of student status
• Transfer of credits
• Module content approval
• Extension of the study right
• Doctoral researchers
• Open and non-degree students
• System updates
• Study Tools
• Assurance of Learning (AoL)
• Studieguide för nya kandidatstuderande
• Timetable for the Academic Year
• Registering as present
• To register as absent
• Late registration - application for re-matriculation
• Course Registration
• E-exams in Exam
• Study rights on discontinued MSc programmes
• Action Plan against Academic Dishonesty
• Individual arrangements
• Transferring Studies Completed in Finland
• Transferring Credits from Studies Abroad
• Limited duration of studies
• Timetable for graduation
• Graduation festivities
• Study services
• Health and well-being
• Language Support
• Artificial intelligence in studies and learning
• Co-writing sessions
• Step 1: Know yourself
• Step 2: Know the industry
• Step 3: Make a decision
• Step 4: Establish the contact
• Insight days
• Working Breakfast
• Career seminars and case-exercises
• CV/LinkedIn Check-In
• Career fairs
• Internship grant
• How to make the most out of your internship
• How Do I Prepare?
• Career survey: MSc graduates, 6 months after graduation
• Career survey: MSc graduates, 5 years after graduation
• Career survey: PhD graduates 3 years after graduation
• How to find job openings
• How to write a successful Job Application and CV
• How to Shine at an Interview
• Aptitude tests and analysis
• Employment contracts and Salary negotiations
• Vaasa International Talents
• Hanken HIT throughout the years
• Hanken Quantum
• Safety instructions for Quantum
• Student housing
• International opportunities
• Hanken as a Workplace
• Applications and the selection process
• Academic careers
• Spark - course evaluation programme at Hanken
• Digitalising Teaching and Learning
• Hjälp i olika sammanhang för lärare
• Teaching Day
• Premises and maintenance
• Do you need help?
• Configure eduroam
• Printing - Copying - Scanning
• Computer rooms
• Software in Computer Rooms
• Funet FileSender
• Ouriginal (Urkund)
• iThenticate
• Wooclap interactivity tool
• Password instruction
• Multi-factor authentication
• Data Protection Officer
• Dataskydds-FAQ
• Registerbeskrivningar
• Digital Examinations
• Rights to a User ID
• User Agreement Template
• The validity of User ID
• Using Your User ID
• Revisions Login - Change password - Logout - Intrusion lock
• Administration of users
• Shibboleth and Haka
• Video Conference
• Financial and Company Information
• Find Your Way Around the Library
• Lending Rules (Helsinki)
• Reserve Books (Helsinki)
• Reading Disability
• Request books and articles
• Formatting and reference guides
• Search help
• LibKey Nomad
• For Researchers
• For Teachers
• Fields of Action
• Yhteystiedot

Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts

Degree earned, planned duration, extent of studies.

The Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts produces highly qualified experts and researchers to work in the fields of journalism, media research, game studies, communications, visual culture, audio research and the performing arts. What brings these disciplines together is an interest in the interplay between the semiotic and material nature of our world, the construction of performances that illustrate our social reality, the public nature of these professions and the dimensions of skills and social aspects, and how we understand communication that occurs through images, words, voices, interaction, bodily expression, play, games and stories.

The programme provides students with extensive theoretical and methodological expertise and prepares them for demanding research and teaching positions in academia, other specialist roles in the public and private sectors and in the sphere of academic, cultural, arts and science administration as well as challenging careers in the performing arts sector.

Find a prospective supervisor!

Detailed information on the content and structure of the studies is included in the curriculum.

Become a student

Learn more about the studies, admissions, and eligibility criteria on Studyinfo. In addition, applications are submitted via the Studyinfo.fi service.

Carefully read through the admissions requirements in Studyinfo.fi before applying. For additional questions on applying, application documents and application process, please email: itc.doc.tau(a)tuni.fi.

For more information on applying

Give us feedback.

We continue to build our site and welcome all feedback. Please also let us know if you spot any mistakes on our site. If you wish to get a reply, remember to include your email address in your feedback message.

If you have questions about studying with us, please contact [email protected] (Tampere University) or [email protected] (Tampere University of Applied Sciences). If you have problems with your user account or other IT-related issues, get in touch with our IT Helpdesk

Feedback (required field) *

Your last viewed study options

Degree programme   Postgraduate degree (University)

Degree earned: Doctor of Arts , Doctor of Philosophy , Doctor of Social Sciences

Extent of studies: 240 ECTS

Planned duration: 4 years

City: Tampere

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) constitute the Tampere Universities community. Our areas of priority in research and education are technology, health and society. Tampere University: +358 (0)294 5211 Tampere University of Applied Sciences : +358 (0)294 5222

Map Options

Education Rankings by Country 2024

There is a correlation between a country's educational system quality and its economic status, with developed nations offering higher quality education.

The U.S., despite ranking high in educational system surveys, falls behind in math and science scores compared to many other countries.

Educational system adequacy varies globally, with some countries struggling due to internal conflicts, economic challenges, or underfunded programs.

While education levels vary from country to country, there is a clear correlation between the quality of a country's educational system and its general economic status and overall well-being. In general, developing nations tend to offer their citizens a higher quality of education than the least developed nations do, and fully developed nations offer the best quality of education of all. Education is clearly a vital contributor to any country's overall health.

According to the Global Partnership for Education , education is considered to be a human right and plays a crucial role in human, social, and economic development . Education promotes gender equality, fosters peace, and increases a person's chances of having more and better life and career opportunities.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela

The annual Best Countries Report , conducted by US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , reserves an entire section for education. The report surveys thousands of people across 78 countries, then ranks those countries based upon the survey's responses. The education portion of the survey compiles scores from three equally-weighted attributes: a well-developed public education system, would consider attending university there, and provides top-quality education. As of 2023, the top ten countries based on education rankings are:

Countries with the Best Educational Systems - 2021 Best Countries Report*

Ironically, despite the United States having the best-surveyed education system on the globe, U.S students consistently score lower in math and science than students from many other countries. According to a Business Insider report in 2018, the U.S. ranked 38th in math scores and 24th in science. Discussions about why the United States' education rankings have fallen by international standards over the past three decades frequently point out that government spending on education has failed to keep up with inflation.

It's also worthwhile to note that while the Best Countries study is certainly respectable, other studies use different methodologies or emphasize different criteria, which often leads to different results. For example, the Global Citizens for Human Rights' annual study measures ten levels of education from early childhood enrollment rates to adult literacy. Its final 2020 rankings look a bit different:

Education Rates of Children Around the World

Most findings and ranking regarding education worldwide involve adult literacy rates and levels of education completed. However, some studies look at current students and their abilities in different subjects.

One of the most-reviewed studies regarding education around the world involved 470,000 fifteen-year-old students. Each student was administered tests in math, science, and reading similar to the SAT or ACT exams (standardized tests used for college admissions in the U.S.) These exam scores were later compiled to determine each country's average score for each of the three subjects. Based on this study, China received the highest scores , followed by Korea, Finland , Hong Kong , Singapore , Canada , New Zealand , Japan , Australia and the Netherlands .

On the down side, there are many nations whose educational systems are considered inadequate. This could be due to internal conflict, economic problems, or underfunded programs. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Education for All Global Monitoring Report ranks the following countries as having the world's worst educational systems:

Countries with the Lowest Adult Literacy Rates

• Education rankings are sourced from both the annual UN News Best Countries report and the nonprofit organization World Top 20

Download Table Data

Enter your email below, and you'll receive this table's data in your inbox momentarily.

Which country ranks first in education?

Which country ranks last in education, frequently asked questions.

• Best Countries for Education - 2023 - US News
• Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) - World Bank
• World Best Education Systems - Global Citizens for Human Rights
• UNESCO - Global Education Monitoring Reports
• World’s 10 Worst Countries for Education - Global Citizen
• International Education Database - World Top 20

Doctoral Programme in Language Studies

The Doctoral Programme in Language Studies covers a wide range of linguistic fields, including various synchronic and diachronic approaches to language, translation studies and language technology.

25 new doctoral researchers are admitted each year. We're an international community, and the programme is multilingual: you can complete a degree in either Finnish, Swedish or English.

Want to know more? Visit our profile & activities page to learn more about the key research areas and activities in the programme.

The University of Helsinki (UH) annually allocates funding to doctoral programmes for salaried positions (employment contract). These doctoral candidate positions are designated as full-time work. The aim is that doctoral candidates employed by the University will pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree, which should be completed within four years.

Both current University of Helsinki doctoral candidates and new applicants planning doctoral studies are eligible to apply for these positions. 

Please read the application instructions carefully before applying. If you are also planning to apply for the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree, remember to read the instructions related to applying for a doctoral study right .

Salaried doctoral candidate positions are aimed at enabling full-time work on dissertations and postgraduate studies, with the goal of completing a doctoral degree in four years. The exact duration of employment, its’ start and end dates are determined in the employment contract. 

The salary and other further details concerning the employment relationship are available in the call for applications .

Applications for a salaried position in a doctoral programme are submitted by completing an electronic form and enclosing the required attachments. 

If you already have the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki and you are applying for a salaried position in your doctoral programme:  

• Read the application instructions regarding salaried positions
• Complete the electronic application form 

According to the guidelines of the University of Helsinki, individuals recruited to salaried doctoral candidate positions must gain admittance to doctoral studies (doctoral study right) within the six-month trial period of the employment. 

If you already have the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, you may apply for a salaried position from another doctoral programme that suits your research profile. If you receive a salaried position from another doctoral programme, you will need to change your doctoral programme. Please note that you may need to reapply for post-graduate study rights if your faculty or target degree change in relation to an awarded salaried position. This application should be made in the spring at the latest, but please note that this may affect the start date of your potential employment. 

If you are applying for a salaried position in more than one doctoral programme, please complete a separate application form for each one.