University of Helsinki

The public examination of a dissertation

Dissertations are examined at a public examination. The language of the public examination is decided in advance by the custos (the chair of the public examination) after consulting both the doctoral candidate and the opponent. The language of the examination is usually Finnish, Swedish or the language of the dissertation, but it can be another language if the doctoral candidate agrees to it. In addition, the doctoral candidate and the opponent can use different languages at the public examination if they agree to such an arrangement.

The Faculty Council appoints one opponent or two opponents for a public examination. If possible, the opponent(s) must have the qualifications of a docent or other equivalent academic qualifications. An opponent must be able to assess the dissertation impartially. A person who has co-authored a publication with the doctoral candidate or is cooperating or has cooperated in research with the doctoral candidate cannot be appointed as an opponent. Likewise, the supervisor or pre-examiner of a dissertation cannot be appointed as an opponent. The opponent must be appointed from outside the Faculty.

Doctoral candidates must be provided with the opportunity to lodge an objection with the Faculty Council against the appointment of an opponent. The Faculty Council appoints one of the Faculty professors as the custos.

The nominated opponents are notified in writing of their duties. They also receive a brochure the University Communications has prepared on the practices and procedures followed at public examinations, as well as the instructions the Faculty has issued on the opponent’s statement.

In his or her statement, the opponent must pay attention to the following

A. The scientific value of the dissertation:
1. The significance and status of the dissertation in the field
2. The scope of the dissertation and the sufficiency of the material; the significance and shortcomings of any manuscripts submitted for publication
3. The doctoral candidate’s ability to obtain results from the material examined in the dissertation
4. The logic of the dissertation’s structure
5. The knowledge and use of literature in the field
6. Language

B. The doctoral candidate’s defence:
1. The doctoral candidate’s input into the achievement of the dissertation results
2. The knowledge of the dissertation field
3. The knowledge of literature in the field
4. The ability to apply research methods
5. The ability to discuss, debate and respond to criticism

The Faculty Council appoints one of the Faculty professors as the custos. The pre-examiner of a dissertation cannot be appointed as the custos.

The public examination begins with an introductory lecture (lectio praecursoria) given by the doctoral candidate on the topic of the dissertation. The opponent the Faculty Council has appointed then presents his or her comments on the dissertation. This part of the public examination cannot last longer than four hours. Afterwards, others attending the public examination may also comment on the dissertation. The public examination cannot last longer than six hours.