As a rule, the right to complete a doctoral degree can be applied for by individuals who have completed a licentiate degree in medicine or dentistry, or another applicable higher education degree.
Those considering postgraduate studies must start by contacting researchers and research groups to find a suitable supervisor and research topic. The right to complete a doctoral degree is applied for from the Faculty after choosing the appropriate doctoral programme, supervisor(s) and thesis committee as well as drawing up the research plan.
The right to complete a doctoral degree is applied for with an electronic application form in the Studyinfo system at a separately announced time.
The objective of doctoral degrees is to familiarise doctoral students with scholarly thinking as well as to provide them with the ability to learn research methods and solve academic questions.
The objective of postgraduate education is that doctoral researchers
Applying for the right to pursue a doctoral degree
Doctoral dissertation
The Instructions for Students website is a service for doctoral researchers where you can find information on the funding of studies, the completion of the doctoral dissertation and all other instructions needed for completing a doctoral degree.
The doctoral programmes of the University of Helsinki operate under the auspices of the University of Helsinki Doctoral School. As a rule, doctoral education at the Faculty of Medicine takes place in the following doctoral programmes.
Doctoral programmes hosted by other faculties where you can complete doctoral degrees in medicine, dentistry, psychology and philosophy:
For further information on belonging to a doctoral programme, see the University website.
At the Faculty of Medicine, there are, as a rule, two application rounds per year: one in the spring and one in the autumn. If you are considering embarking on postgraduate studies, please carefully read the application instructions well in advance of the beginning of the next application round. Please reach out to your prospective doctoral programme. A carefully prepared application is the first step towards a doctoral degree.
Further information can be obtained from Admissions Services: phd-admissions@helsinki.fi.
NB. Please see information on admissions on each doctoral programme’s own website. See also the University of Helsinki web page "The application process in a nutshell".
The postgraduate Doctor of Medical Science and Doctor of Dental Science degrees are offered to holders of a licentiate degree and demonstrate the ability to conduct independent scholarly research.
Please see the doctoral programme–specific requirements on the programme websites and in the course catalogues (Sisu).
The studies required for a doctoral degree acquaint doctoral researchers with the general issues and methods of scholarly research and medical research.
The objective of postgraduate education is that doctoral researchers
A doctoral degree can be completed in four years of full-time study. The degree can also be completed on a part-time basis. The degree comprises studies worth a total of 40 credits and a doctoral dissertation. In accordance with the degree requirements that entered into force on 1 August 2017, doctoral studies are divided into discipline-specific studies (30 credits) and general transferable skills studies (10 credits). The new degree requirements apply to all doctoral researchers who have been granted their right to complete a degree after 1 August 2017. Students must complete their degrees in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes.
The objective of discipline-specific studies is in-depth familiarisation with knowledge and methods in the research field as well as following its progress. The discipline-specific studies include a compulsory course on research ethics.
A book examination can be included in the discipline-specific studies. Research visits abroad as well as presentations and poster presentations held at international conferences may be included in discipline-specific studies if the doctoral researcher is the first or second author of the presentation. In addition, presentations and poster presentations held in Finland as well as presentations held at internal academic clinic or departmental meetings can be included in discipline-specific studies. The maximum number of credits awarded for the above-mentioned activities is determined in accordance with doctoral programme–specific requirements.
The aim of studies in general transferable skills is to familiarise doctoral researchers with, for example, common research methods in medicine and dentistry, the planning of research, the assessment and publication of results, academic writing and the ethics principles of research.
In general transferable skills studies, the Faculty particularly emphasises methodology courses. Courses that touch upon, among other things, the philosophy of science, ethics, research planning and methodology can be accepted as studies in general transferable skills. In addition, courses and other studies related to academic writing, research reporting, publishing and presenting as well as project-based work can be included in general transferable skills studies. The content of these studies is determined in accordance with doctoral programme–specific requirements. Training in the field of the doctoral dissertation cannot be included in general transferable skills studies.
Doctoral researchers must complete a compulsory laboratory animal course if they personally conduct animal experiments.
Studies up to five credits in university pedagogy can be included in general transferable skills studies.
The Faculty of Medicine offers the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to persons who have completed a second-cycle degree at a Finnish university or an equivalent degree at a university outside Finland.
Please see the doctoral programme–specific requirements on the programme websites and in the course catalogues (Sisu).
The objective of postgraduate education is that doctoral researchers
A doctoral degree can be completed in four years of full-time study. The degree can also be completed on a part-time basis. The degree includes a doctoral dissertation and 40 credits of studies. In accordance with the degree requirements that entered into force on 1 August 2017, doctoral studies are divided into discipline-specific studies (30 credits) and general transferable skills studies (10 credits). The new degree requirements apply to all doctoral researchers who have been granted their right to complete a degree after 1 August 2017. Students must complete their degrees in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes.
The objective of discipline-specific studies is in-depth familiarisation with knowledge and methods in the research field as well as following its progress. The discipline-specific studies include a course on research ethics.
A book examination can be included in discipline-specific studies. Research visits abroad as well as presentations and poster presentations held at international conferences may be included in discipline-specific studies if the doctoral researcher is the first or second author of the presentation. In addition, presentations and poster presentations held in Finland as well as presentations held at internal academic clinic or departmental meetings can be included in discipline-specific studies. The maximum number of credits awarded for the above-mentioned activities is determined in accordance with doctoral programme–specific requirements.
The aim of studies in general transferable skills is to familiarise doctoral researchers with, for example, common research methods in their field of research, the planning of research, the assessment and publication of results, academic writing and the ethics principles of research.
In general transferable skills studies, the Faculty particularly emphasises methodology courses. Courses that touch upon, among other things, the philosophy of science, ethics, research planning and methodology can be accepted as studies in general transferable skills. In addition, courses and other studies related to academic writing, research reporting, publishing and presenting as well as project-based work can be included in general transferable skills studies. The content of these studies is determined in accordance with doctoral programme–specific requirements. Training in the field of the doctoral dissertation cannot be included in general transferable skills studies.
Doctoral researchers must complete a compulsory laboratory animal course if they personally conduct animal experiments.
Studies up to five credits in university pedagogy can be included in general transferable skills studies.
The Faculty of Medicine offers psychology majors the opportunity to complete the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), provided that they have completed the Master of Arts (Psychology) degree or the advanced studies and the traineeship included in the Master of Arts (Psychology) degree.
Please see the doctoral programme–specific requirements on the programme websites and in the course catalogues (Sisu).
The objective of postgraduate education is that doctoral researchers
A doctoral degree can be completed in four years of full-time study. The degree can also be completed on a part-time basis. In accordance with the degree requirements that entered into force on 1 August 2017, the degree includes a doctoral dissertation and 40 credits of studies. The new degree requirements apply to all doctoral researchers who have been granted their right to complete a degree after 1 August 2017. Students must complete their degrees in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes.
The purpose of discipline-specific studies is to support the doctoral thesis project and the development of doctoral researchers’ expertise. Discipline-specific studies focus on psychology and neuroscience, methodology and other topics supporting the thesis project. As the objective of doctoral education is that doctoral researchers become profoundly familiar with their research field and follow international trends in it, it is recommended that they attend both national and international conferences and courses related to the topic of their doctoral thesis. NB! The requirements of a doctoral degree always include a course in research ethics.
Studies in general transferable skills develop doctoral researchers’ skills and self-understanding as researchers. They also support doctoral researchers in acquiring what are known as generic skills. In addition, courses and other studies related to academic writing, research reporting, publishing and presenting can be included in the degree.
Since 1 August 2008, the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, has provided holders of a second-cycle degree in the natural sciences with the opportunity to complete a Licentiate of Philosophy degree which includes specialist training in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology (Decree amendment 221/1994, section 14a/28 September 2000).
The Licentiate of Philosophy degree comprises two main components: postgraduate research studies and a licentiate thesis, as well as training completed alongside them. The scope of the postgraduate research studies is 60 credits.
Holders of a Doctor or Licentiate of Philosophy degree need not complete a Licentiate of Philosophy degree as part of the specialist training in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology. Rather, they will receive a separate certificate for qualification in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology.
NB! In accordance with the rector’s decision on 29 November 2017, the names of specialist training programmes that begin with the word ‘sairaala’ (clinical) in Finnish have been changed.
The amendment to the Universities Act, which entered into force on 1 January 2015, defines professional specialisation programmes as studies intended to be completed after a higher education degree and designed for degree holders in order to promote their professional development and specialisation. They are intended to generate competence in areas of expertise for which no market-based provision of education is available. Specialisation programmes do not constitute education leading to a university degree. In the future, the training in clinical chemistry and clinical microbiology completed as part of the licentiate degree cannot be called professional specialisation education. In the future, they will be called specialist training in clinical chemistry and specialist training in clinical microbiology.
The basic requirement for the specialist training in clinical chemistry is a second-cycle degree in the natural sciences or a Master of Science (Technology) degree, including an extensive syllabus in biochemistry or chemistry, or a corresponding degree completed abroad.
As a rule, the basic requirement for the specialist training in clinical microbiology is a Master of Arts, Master of Science (Agriculture and Forestry) or Master of Science (Food Sciences) degree, with general microbiology (Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki) or microbiology (Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki) as the major subject. In addition, applicants with a master’s degree in biosciences with something other than microbiology as the major subject are required to have completed advanced studies (120 cr) in general microbiology and a six-month traineeship in the field of microbiology. They are also required to present additional evidence of academic activity (in addition to a special assignment, for example, contribution to a scholarly article or supervised supplementation of a secondary assignment into a master’s thesis).
Applications are accepted from applicants who have completed the required degree and who have been appointed to or have served in a training position, post or locum post for at least one (1) month.
A continuous admission procedure is in use. Applicants submit the required application documents to the Faculty’s academic affairs office, including supporting statements by the supervisor of their Licentiate of Philosophy degree and thesis and the degree programme coordinator. The dean decides on granting the right to study.
Coordinator: Docent, Clinical Instructor Hanna Jarva hanna.jarva@helsinki.fi
Coordinator: Kari Pulkki, kari.pulkki@helsinki.fi
A personal training agreement can be concluded if the trainee is completing a training-related service at a training site outside university hospitals. The programme coordinator decides whether service at a training site outside university hospitals can be included in the degree. The training agreement can be submitted to the Faculty’s academic affairs office together with the degree certificate application (at the graduation stage).
The specialist training in clinical microbiology and clinical microbiology involves a national qualification examination. The examination will be conducted in conjunction with the national specialist examination in medicine and dentistry. Registration for the examination takes place electronically five weeks before the examination date. Instructions and the registration form are available on the website for the specialist examination in medicine. Registrations will be forwarded to the Faculty, which will review rights to study. You will also receive an email confirmation that you are allowed to take the examination.
The Faculty awards certificates for completed degrees. Before applying for a degree certificate, postgraduate students must have their entire training programme approved. The application must specify the service and training sessions proposed to be included, and must be accompanied by certificates for such service and training. Service certificates must also include information about any leave and interruptions of service.
Once a postgraduate student’s entire specialist training in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology (or psychology) has been approved, they can apply for a Licentiate of Philosophy degree certificate.