Doctoral education
The following postgraduate degrees can be completed at the Faculty of Medicine: Licentiate of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Medical Science, Doctor of Dental Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)
Objectives

As a rule, persons with a degree of Licentiate of Medicine or Licentiate of Dentistry or an eligible second-cycle (Master’s) degree may apply for a right to pursue a doctoral degree at the Faculty.

Prospective postgraduate students should first contact researchers and research groups to find a suitable supervisor and research topic. Applicants can apply for a right to pursue doctoral studies once a suitable doctoral programme, supervisor(s) and monitoring group have been selected and the applicant has drafted a research plan.

The right to pursue doctoral studies must be applied for using an online form in the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) system. Application deadlines are published separately.

The goal of the doctoral degree is to familiarise the doctoral candidate with scientific thinking and research methods and to enable him or her to solve scientific problems.

Postgraduate education has the following objectives:

  1. The doctoral candidate becomes profoundly familiar with his or her research field and its social significance and acquires, within that field, the abilities to apply scientific research methods critically and independently and to contribute to scientific knowledge.
  2. The doctoral candidate becomes familiar with the historical development, fundamental issues and research methods of his or her field.
  3. The doctoral candidate acquires sufficient understanding of general scientific theory and the disciplines related to his or her research field so as to be able to follow future developments.

Applying for a right to pursue doctoral studies
Doctoral dissertations

Are you already a Doctoral Student?

The Instructions for Students website, aimed at current and old doctoral students, offers advice related to funding your studies, doing doctoral-level research and all the other information you need to complete a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki.

The University of Helsinki organises doctoral education under one Doctoral School.

Doctoral programmes operating at the Faculty of Medicine include

Doctoral programmes hosted by other faculties where it is possible to complete doctoral degrees in medical science, dental science, psychology and philosophy include

Further information on belonging to a doctoral programme can be found on the University website.

Applying for a right to pursue doctoral studies

There are normally two application periods per academic year, one during the spring term and one during the autumn term. If you are considering postgraduate studies, please familiarise yourself with the application guidelines well before the next application period. Contact the doctoral programme you wish to join. A carefully prepared application is the first step towards the doctoral degree.

Fur­ther infor­mation

For further information, please contact Admission 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".

 

 

 

Gen­eral infor­mation

Doctoral degrees in medical and dental science are postgraduate degrees completed after the Licentiate degree that demonstrate an ability to conduct independent scientific research.

NBPlease see the specific requirements of each doctoral programme on their websites and course catalogues (Sisu).

Ob­ject­ives

The goal of doctoral education is to familiarise the doctoral candidate with scientific and medical research problems and methods.

Postgraduate education has the following objectives:

  1. The doctoral candidate becomes profoundly familiar with his or her research field and its social significance and acquires, within that field, the abilities to apply scientific research methods critically and independently and to contribute to scientific knowledge.
  2. The doctoral candidate becomes familiar with the historical development, fundamental issues and research methods of his or her field.
  3. The doctoral candidate acquires sufficient understanding of general scientific theory and the disciplines related to his or her research field so as to be able to follow future developments. (Government Decree 794/2004, chapter 5, section 21)

Struc­ture and scope

The doctoral degree corresponds to a full-time workload of four years. The degree can also be completed on a part-time basis. The doctoral degree consists of a total of 40 credits of studies and the doctoral dissertation. In accordance with the new degree requirements, the doctoral degree includes 30 credits of substance-specific studies and 10 credits of general transferable skills studies. The new degree requirements take effect on 1 August 2017 2017 and apply to everyone who gain their study right after this date. Doctoral candidates must complete their degrees in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes.

Sub­stance-spe­cific stud­ies and research eth­ics 30 cr

The purpose of substance-specific studies is to profoundly familiarise doctoral candidates with their field and related research methods as well as to monitor developments in the field. Substance-specific studies include a compulsory course on research ethics.

Substance-specific studies may contain book examinations. Research visits abroad and presentations or poster presentations held at international scientific conferences may be included in substance-specific studies if the doctoral candidate is the first or second author of the presentation. In addition, substance-specific studies may include presentations and poster presentations held at Finnish conferences and presentations held at scientific clinic or department meetings. The maximum number of credits earned from these activities are determined by the specific requirements of each doctoral programme.

Trans­fer­able skills stud­ies 10 cr

The purpose of transferable skills studies is to familiarise the doctoral candidate with common research methods used in medical and dental science, the planning of research, the assessment and publishing of results, and scientific writing as well as ethical research principles.

The Faculty places particular focus on methodology courses. Courses on topics such as philosophy of science, ethics, the planning of research and methodology can be included in the degree as transferable skills studies. In addition, transferable skills studies may include courses on scientific writing, project work and the reporting, publishing and presentation of research. Doctoral candidates must complete transferable skills studies in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes. Transferable skills studies may not include training in the field of the doctoral dissertation.

Doctoral candidates must complete a compulsory laboratory animal course if they intend to perform animal experiments.

Transferable skills studies may include five credits of studies in university pedagogy.

Gen­eral infor­mation

The Faculty of Medicine may admit a person who has completed a second-cycle (Master’s) degree at a Finnish university or a corresponding degree at a university or other institution of higher education abroad to pursue the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

NBPlease see the specific requirements of each doctoral programme on their websites and course catalogues (Sisu).

Ob­ject­ives

Postgraduate education has the following objectives:

  1. The doctoral candidate becomes profoundly familiar with his or her research field and its social significance and acquires, within that field, the abilities to apply scientific research methods critically and independently and to contribute to scientific knowledge.
  2. The doctoral candidate becomes familiar with the historical development, fundamental issues and research methods of his or her field.
  3. The doctoral candidate acquires sufficient understanding of general scientific theory and the disciplines related to his or her research field so as to be able to follow future developments. (Government Decree 794/2004, chapter 5, section 21)

Struc­ture and scope

The doctoral degree corresponds with a full-time workload of four years. The degree can also be completed on a part-time basis. The doctoral degree consists of a total of 40 credits of studies and the doctoral dissertation. In accordance with the new degree requirements, the doctoral degree includes 30 credits of substance-specific studies and 10 credits of general transferable skills studies. The new degree requirements take effect on 1 August 2017 and apply to everyone who gain their study right after this date. Doctoral candidates must complete their degrees in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes.

Sub­stance-spe­cific stud­ies and research eth­ics 30 cr

The purpose of substance-specific studies is to profoundly familiarise doctoral candidates with their field and related research methods as well as to monitor developments in the field. Substance-specific studies include a compulsory course on research ethics.

Substance-specific studies may contain book examinations. Research visits abroad and presentations or poster presentations held at international scientific conferences may be included in substance-specific studies if the doctoral candidate is the first or second author of the presentation. In addition, substance-specific studies may include  presentations and poster presentations held at Finnish conferences and presentations held at scientific clinic or department meetings. The maximum number of credits earned from these activities are determined by the specific requirements of each doctoral programme.

Trans­fer­able skills stud­ies 10 cr

The purpose of transferable skills studies is to familiarise the doctoral candidates with common research methods used in their field, the planning of research, the assessment and publishing of results, and scientific writing as well as ethical research principles.

The Faculty places particular focus on methodology courses. Courses on topics such as philosophy of science, ethics, the planning of research and methodology can be included in the degree as transferable skills studies. In addition, transferable skills studies may include courses on scientific writing, project work and the reporting, publishing and presentation of research. Doctoral candidates must complete transferable skills studies in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes. Transferable skills studies may not include training in the field of the doctoral dissertation.

Doctoral candidates must complete a compulsory laboratory animal course if they intend to perform animal experiments.

Transferable skills studies may include five credits of studies in university pedagogy.

Gen­eral infor­mation

The Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) and Licentiate of Arts (Psychology) may be completed by postgraduate students majoring in psychology, provided they are holders of a degree of Master of Arts (Psychology) or their second-cycle degree includes advanced-level studies in psychology, and practice.

NBPlease see the specific requirements of each doctoral programme on their websites and course catalogues (Sisu).

Ob­ject­ives

The objective of postgraduate (doctoral) education is that the doctoral candidate

  1. becomes profoundly familiar with his or her research field and its social significance and acquires within that field the ability to apply scientific research methods critically and independently, and contributes to scientific knowledge;
  2. becomes familiar with the historical development, fundamental issues and research methods of his or her field; and
  3. acquires sufficient understanding of general scientific theory and the disciplines related to his or her research field so as to be able to follow future developments (Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004), chapter 5, section 21).

Struc­ture and scope

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 new degree requirements, the degree includes a doctoral dissertation and 40 credits of studies. The new degree requirements take effect on 1 August 2017 and apply to everyone who gain their study right after this date. Doctoral candidates must complete their degrees in accordance with the specific requirements of their doctoral programmes.

Sub­stance-spe­cific stud­ies and research eth­ics 30 cr

The purpose of substance-specific studies is to support the dissertation project and the development of the doctoral candidate’s expertise. Substance-specific studies focus on psychology, neuroscience, methodology and other topics supporting the dissertation project. As the objective of doctoral education is that doctoral candidates 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 dissertation. NB! The requirements of a doctoral degree always contain a course in research ethics.

Trans­fer­able skills stud­ies 10 cr

Transferable skills studies develop doctoral candidates’ skills and self-understanding as researchers. They also support doctoral candidates in acquiring general (or “generic”) skills. In addition, courses and other studies related to academic writing, research reporting, publishing and presenting can be included in the degree.

As of 1 August 2008, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki also offers the opportunity to complete a degree of Licentiate of Philosophy on the basis of a Master’s degree in the natural sciences. The degree includes specialist training in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology (amendments to Section 14a of Government Decree 221/1994, 28 September 2000).

The degree of Licentiate of Philosophy comprises, firstly, postgraduate research education and the Licentiate thesis and, secondly, simultaneous specialist training. The scope of the postgraduate research education is 60 credits.

Persons with a prior degree of Doctor or Licentiate of Philosophy are not required to complete the degree of Licentiate of Philosophy as part of their specialist training in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology. Such students will be awarded a separate diploma for specialist training in clinical chemistry or clinical microbiology.

Ap­ply­ing for a right to study

Eligibility

Applicants who have completed a second-cycle (Master's) degree in the natural sciences or engineering that includes extensive studies in biochemistry or chemistry, or who have completed a corresponding degree abroad, may apply for the right to pursue specialist training in clinical chemistry.

As a rule, applicants with the degree of Master of Science, Master of Science of Agriculture and Forestry or Master of Food Sciences with a major in general microbiology (Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki) or microbiology (Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki) may apply for a right to pursue specialist training in clinical microbiology. In addition, applicants with a second-cycle (Master’s) degree in the biological sciences who did not major in microbiology must complete advanced studies (120 cr) in general microbiology and a traineeship of six months in the field of microbiology, as well as demonstrate scientific activities in the field (i.e., by completing a relevant advanced-level project, co-authoring a scientific article or expanding the advanced-level project into a Master’s thesis).

Persons who have completed an appropriate degree and have been selected to or have worked in a teaching position, post or locum tenens for at least one (1) month may apply for the training.

Application procedure and application periods

Applications are accepted throughout the academic year. The applicant must submit the required documents, including supporting statements from the Licentiate degree and the thesis supervisor and degree programme coordinator, to the Faculty Office. The decision to grant the right to study will be made by the dean.

Admission criteria
  • Eligibility for postgraduate research education as outlined in the Faculty’s standing orders
  • The applicant has been selected to or worked in a teaching position, post or locum tenens for at least one (1) month
  • Approved research plan for the Licentiate thesis
  • Approved personal study plan
  • Supporting statement from the Licentiate degree and thesis supervisor
  • Supporting statement from the degree programme coordinator

Stud­ies

Specialist training in clinical microbiology

Coordinator professor Kari Pulkki, kari.pulkki@helsinki.fi

Specialist training in clinical chemistry

Coordinator Clinical Teacher Päivi Lakkisto, paivi.lakkisto@helsinki.fi

Training agreement

It is possible to draft a personal training agreement (in Finnish) if the student intends to complete the clinical service included in specialist training outside the university hospital. The decision to approve clinical service outside the university hospital will be made by the degree programme coordinator. The training agreement can be submitted to the Faculty Office together with the application for a degree diploma, i.e., at graduation.

Examinations

Specialist training in clinical chemistry and clinical microbiology entails a national specialty-specific examination. Students must register for the examination using the online registration system no later than five (5) weeks before the examination. The registration form and further instructions can be found on the My Studies webpages.

The Faculty will verify the applicant’s right to study after being notified of the registration.  Applicants will also receive an email confirmation about the registration.

Gradu­ation

The Faculty will award a diploma for the degree completed. Students must submit their specialist training module for approval before applying for a degree diploma. The application must clearly indicate  all employment relationships and training that should be counted towards the degree. Certificates of all services and training must be enclosed with the application. In addition, the certificates must indicate all absences and discontinuations.Once the specialist training module has been approved, the student may apply for the Licentiate of Philosophy degree diploma.

Fur­ther infor­mation

  • Degree programme coordinator of specialist training in clinical chemistry, Professor Satu Mustjoki, satu.mustjoki@helsinki.fi
  • Degree programme coordinator of specialist training in clinical microbiology, Professor Hanna Jarva, hanna.jarva@helsinki.fi
  • Student Advisor Anne Päiviö, tel. 02941 26625, anne.paivio@helsinki.fi
  • Education Planning Officer Anna-Liisa Kuusela, tel. 02941 26624, (specialist training) anna-liisa.kuusela@helsinki.fi
  • Education Planning Officer Satu Kattainen, tel. 02941 26617, satu.kattainen@helsinki.fi (postgraduate research education and Licentiate theses)