Welcome!

The Finnish Doctoral Programme of Theology (former The Finnish Graduate School of Theology) has functioned since 1995 as a network organisation of three universities: University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland and Åbo Akademi University. It is funded by the Ministry of Education and the Academy of Finland. The Doctoral Programme trains doctoral students to become professionals in different theological fields and religion both for research work and expert tasks in society. Doctoral students represent different theological disciplines: biblical studies, church history, systematic theology, comparative religion, and practical theology.

The Doctoral Programme promotes interdisciplinary research within theology and with neighbouring disciplines. International training and cooperation help doctoral students establish expert networks and contacts with economic life. The training programme is carried out in cooperation with Finnish and International partners.

The organisation of Doctoral Programme ensures that the respective departments provide the participants with sufficient external working conditions and regular supervision. The Programme organisation stays informed about the qualifications and principles concerning the degrees in question and participates in the dissemination of information about the training and in the promotion of joint projects between universities.

From beginning of 2014, the University of Helsinki will establish a Doctoral School for Humanities and Social Sciences consisting of several Doctoral Programmes, one of which will be the Doctoral Programme of Theology. The doctoral education in Theology at Åbo Akademi University and the University of Eastern Finland will be integrated in the new structures of doctoral education in these universities. The “old” and the “new” Schools will coexist for two years in 2014–2015.