Admissions to doctoral studies

Faculty of Medicine

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Medical Science
• Doctor of Dental Science
• Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)
• Doctor of Health Sciences

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences

• Doctor of Philosophy

Faculty of Pharmacy

• Doctor of Science (Pharmacy)
• Doctor of Philosophy

Supervision arrangements and the quality of the research environment are important admissions criteria. The doctoral programme requires applicants to have one or more supervisors at the time of submitting their application. Applicants are responsible for finding a supervisor and drawing up a research plan with them. When looking for supervisors, applicants should utilise the University of Helsinki Research Portal. 

• Applicants must have one to three supervisors who have themselves completed a doctoral degree. One of these will be the primary supervisor. Justification is required for appointing a third supervisor, presented specifically in the application for the right to complete a doctoral degree.
• At least one of the supervisors must hold the title of docent or equivalent academic qualifications.
• Supervisors serving as the sole supervisor cannot be emeriti.
• The application must clearly indicate the accessibility and continuity of supervision.

Coordinating academic

In addition to their doctoral thesis supervisors, all doctoral researchers are appointed a coordinating academic, who must be from the applicant’s prospective faculty. Each faculty determines independently the qualification requirements for coordinating academics.

Coordinating academics are familiar with the guidelines and practices related to doctoral degrees at the University of Helsinki. Coordinating academics have no actual supervision obligation. For researchers with multiple supervisors, one may be appointed as the coordinating academic, provided that they fulfil the relevant criteria. Sole supervisors cannot serve simultaneously as the coordinating academic.

Coordinating academics:

• Ensure the continuity of supervision arrangements together with the doctoral programme steering group, including in problem situations
• Help doctoral researchers familiarise themselves with the rules for doctoral education and the examination of doctoral theses
• Submit to the Faculty official proposals on preliminary examiners and opponents
• Approve studies included in the doctoral degree in accordance with the doctoral programme curriculum if the supervisor(s) are not employed by the University
• If the supervisor(s) are not employed by the University of Helsinki, the coordinating academic can also approve studies completed outside the University.
• Further information on the duties of coordinating academics:

Thesis committee

The members of the thesis committee must be named when applying for the right to complete a doctoral degree.

• The thesis committee comprises at least two specialists who hold a doctoral degree.
• At least one of them must hold the title of docent or equivalent academic qualifications.
• The thesis committee members must have sufficient knowledge of the field of the doctoral research project and be able to assess its progress.

The members cannot be close collaboration partners (e.g., joint research projects or grants during the past three years), relatives, family members or administrative supervisors or employees of the doctoral researcher or the supervisors. Members of the thesis committee can be changed during the doctoral research project, or new members can be invited to the committee. 

When assembling the thesis committee, consideration must be given to the fact that its members cannot be appointed as preliminary examiners or opponents for the doctoral thesis. For further information on the duties, see the Studies Service.

Research plans are assessed according to the following criteria:

• Suitability of the research topic to the profile of the doctoral programme
• Scholarly quality and feasibility of the research plan
• Use of appropriate research methods
• Feasibility in the planned timetable (target duration at the University of Helsinki is four years of full-time work)
• Suitability of the research environment and the support it provides. Applicants must have a sufficient links to the University of Helsinki's research environment.
• A significant share of the research must be conducted in Finland, with the exception of joint degrees (cotutelle agreements). 

Any use of AI in drawing up research plans must be disclosed and described, including its purpose. 

Motivation and previously acquired learning (curriculum vitae or equivalent) are important assessment criteria.

A description of the funding plan.