Admissions to doctoral studies

The target degrees available within the Doctoral Programme in Science (SciDoc) are:

Faculty of Science

• Doctor of Philosophy

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences

• Doctor of Philosophy

Faculty of Medicine

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

Faculty of Pharmacy

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Science (Agriculture and Forestry)
• Doctor of Food Sciences

Faculty of Humanities

• Doctor of Philosophy

Faculty of Social Sciences

• Doctor of Social Sciences 

Please, verify which degree is available in the chosen faculty based on your background degree.  The target degree must align with the chosen faculty.

• Each applicant must have at minimum, a main supervisor and a coordinating academic. The coordinating academic can also be the main supervisor.
• The main supervisor must have a PhD.
• If the candidate applies for a study right from the Faculty of Science, the coordinating academic must be a professor (associate or full professor) or docent, employed by the Faculty of Science, and familiar with University of Helsinki doctoral education practices.
• If the candidate applies for the study right from another faculty, the coordinating academic must come from the same faculty and fulfil the qualification criteria for a coordinating academic at that faculty.
• SciDoc recommends that all PhD researchers have at least 2 supervisors.
• The named supervisor(s) and coordinating academic must have confirmed their commitment to supervise the student in a signed supervision agreement.
• The supervision agreement is submitted when applying for the study right. Applications lacking a signed supervision agreement will not proceed to academic evaluation. The supervision agreement can be electronically signed.

Research plan 

• SciDoc has 7 core discipline areas: (i) atmospheric and climate-system sciences, (ii) chemistry, (iii) computer science, (iv) geosciences and geography, (v) materials research and nanoscience, (vi) mathematics and statistics, (vii) particle physics and universe science.
• The applicant, in agreement with the PhD supervisory team, must choose which SciDoc discipline they apply to study in.
• The applicant’s previous degree must be broadly relevant to the intended field of doctoral research and include sufficient prior studies to provide a solid foundation for the thesis topic.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate good academic performance in prior studies, providing evidence of capability for doctoral-level research, study, and independent work.
• Only applications meeting the formal eligibility criteria will proceed to academic evaluation. Applications are assessed holistically, based on:
  •    Scientific quality, feasibility, and clarity of the research plan
  •    Suitability of the supervision arrangements
  •    Relevance and quality of previous studies and academic performance
  •    Plausibility of the funding plan
  •    Alignment of the proposed research with the chosen SciDoc research discipline
  The SciDoc board uses its discipline working groups to facilitate the academic evaluation.

Funding plan

• Applicants must submit a realistic funding plan for their doctoral research and studies.
• For candidates intending to pursue their PhD full time, the funding plan must be realistic with respect to the research project and the candidate’s ability to complete the PhD within 3–4 years of full-time study. Secured funding is normally required for at least the first year of full-time doctoral studies, and the funding plan should also describe how the remainder of the PhD will be funded.
• For self-funded or part-time PhD projects (e.g., PhD work completed alongside other work), the research plan must explain the feasibility of the project and outline a clear and credible completion timeline, consistent with the described funding and time commitment.
• The main supervisor should confirm the accuracy of the funding information and the feasibility of the plan. This confirmation should be included in the supervision agreement. 

Use of AI

Applicants must disclose any use of artificial intelligence in drafting their application or research plan. Undeclared AI use may result in rejection of an application. 

• The applicant’s previous degree must be broadly relevant to the intended field of doctoral research and include sufficient prior studies to provide a solid foundation for the thesis topic.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate good academic performance in prior studies, providing evidence of capability for doctoral-level research, study, and independent work.