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Doctoral admissions

You can search for doctoral programmes on the application portal Studyinfo.fi , or you can contact the universities directly about the doctoral study and research options they offer. Check the application times and procedures, eligibility requirements and other details with the university you are interested in. The following links will take you to each university's Doctoral studies and research info pages.

• Aalto University
• University of Helsinki
• University of Eastern Finland
• University of Jyväskylä
• University of Lapland
• LUT University
• University of Oulu
• Hanken School of Economics
• University of the Arts Helsinki
• Tampere University
• University of Turku
• University of Vaasa
• Åbo Akademi University  

Doctoral / PhD funding opportunities

See the advice on doctoral level scholarships  to learn where you can search for doctoral level research funding. The universities may also offer paid doctoral and post-doc positions, see below.

Academic research positions and jobs

Announcements for doctoral and post-doc researcher positions at Finnish universities can also be found on academic recruitment sites like:

• Jobs in Finland / Academic
• Academicpositions.fi

Early career researcher info & advice

Information, advice and guidelines for early career researchers - compiled by the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT)

Scientific research in Finland

Research.fi is a service offered by the Ministry of Education and Culture where you can learn more about the Finnish science and innovation system and policy, and research conducted in Finland.

• Research.fi

Doctoral Programmes

Faculty of built environment.

Doctoral Programme in the Built Environment  (DPBEN)

Faculty of Education and Culture

Doctoral Programme of Education and Society  (DPEDU)

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences  (TLTO)

Doctoral Programme in Engineering Sciences  (TTITO)

Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

Doctoral Programme of Humans and Technologies  (DPHAT)

Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts  (DPMCP)

Doctoral Programme in Language Studies  (DPLA)

Doctoral Programme of Computing and Electrical Engineering  (DPCEE)

Faculty of Management and Business

Doctoral Programme in Administrative Sciences, Business Studies and Politics  (DPHKP)

Doctoral Programme in Business and Technology Management  (TOTO)

Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology

Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering  (DPMBBE)

Faculty of Social Sciences

Doctoral Programme in Literary Studies  (DPLS)

Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences  (DPHS)

Doctoral Programme in History  (DPHI)

Doctoral Programme in Psychology and Logopedics  (DPPL)

Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences  (DPSS)

Doctoral Programme in Medicine  (DPMD)

Doctoral Programme in Philosophy  (DPPH)

International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health  (IPPE)

Additional information on doctoral studies

Structure and duration of doctoral studies.

In addition to the doctoral dissertation, the requirements for a doctoral degree include 40 ECTS credits of other studies, which you should plan to support your doctoral research. The structure of the other studies can be found in the curriculum of your doctoral programme.

For full-time doctoral students, the target time of completing the doctoral degree is four years. Part-time students may take longer to complete their degree.

Doctoral dissertation

To earn a doctoral degree, students must complete a dissertation and defend it in a public examination. Students prepare a dissertation to demonstrate their ability to produce original scientific knowledge in the field of their research. Writing the dissertation requires that the student is capable of conducting independent scientific research.

Tampere University Doctoral School

The Doctoral School supports the development of diverse, multidisciplinary and international expertise among doctoral researchers and works to promote employability of our doctoral graduates.

You will be able to select courses that meet your needs over 50 courses that the Doctoral School offers each year. We give Finnish and English-taught courses both online and in a physical classroom environment.

The Doctoral School hosts regular events for doctoral researchers such as Orientation Day, morning coffees and open seminars. You get to meet other doctoral researchers, network and receive peer support.

Our courses and events provide you with the opportunity to gain experience of multidisciplinary and international teamwork while making effective progress towards your degree.

Get to know the Doctoral School

Doctoral studies can be financed in a variety of ways and admittance to a doctoral programme does not guarantee funding. Students are recommended to contact their supervisor before starting their doctoral studies to discuss their funding options. Funding options for doctoral studies are at least the following:

• Employment at the University (either project funding or a separate doctoral education funding)
• Scholarships and grants
• Student financial aid  (if eligible)
• Adult Education Allowance of the Education Fund  (if eligible) (motion to terminate the allowance was submitted to the parliament on 15 February 2024)
• Doctoral education pilot at Tampere University

The Doctoral School of Industry Innovations

The Doctoral School of Industry Innovations (DSII) offers Doctoral Researchers a unique opportunity to undertake dissertation research, gain a thorough understanding of product development, tackle real-world business challenges and expand their professional networks. Tampere University hires a Doctoral Researcher to complete a four-year, company-sponsored dissertation project under the joint supervision of a university professor and a company representative. 

Read more about DSII

Finland Fellowship

Finland Fellowship is a new funding option awarded by Tampere University as part of the national Finland Scholarship programme. Non-EU/EEA applicants to Doctoral programmes are eligible to apply. The Finland Fellowship contributes to the salary paid Tampere University and includes a 2000 EUR arrival allowance. The Finland Fellowship funding is available from 2022 to 2024. It is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Positions funded with the Finland Fellowship funding are published as part of open positions at Tampere University.

Read more about working at Tampere Universities

Additional information on applying

Detailed information on applying to a doctoral programme is available in the admission requirements of the programme and our webpage Applying to Doctoral programmes.

Applying to doctoral programmes

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4 best tuition-free universities in Finland for international students

There are many reasons to study in Finland ? Start with the fact that the Finns are the happiest people. This Nordic nation consistently ranks first on the World Happiness Report , and 2022 is no different.

It’s affordable to study in Finland too. On average, you can expect to pay 700 to 900 euros per month (one euro is approximately US$1.03 at the time of writing) to live in this frosty utopia — and that is not including your rent and tuition fees.

Your cost of living also depends on the place you intend to study. Take, Helsinki, for example. You can expect to pay  980 to 1580 euros per month (including rent), but tuition fees at the University of Helsinki — one of the oldest and largest institutions of academic education in Finland — average between 13,000 to 18,000 euros  per academic year.

In Oulu, expect to spend 660 to 1,000 euros per month (including rent) and the average tuition fees at the University of Oulu — one of two universities in the city — start from 10,000 euros per academic year. Those staying in Kajaani would spend around 1,033 euros and students living in Tampere spend on average 950 euros per month. 

Like most tuition-free universities in Europe, international students from the European Economic Area (EEA), European Union (EU), and those with a permanent Swedish residence permit  do not pay for tuition at Finnish universities .

For students outside these countries, here are the best tuition-free universities in Finland that you can consider:

Finland is home to some of the most popular names like Valtteri Bottas, a Finnish motorsports racing driver who raced for Williams, Mercedes and Alfa Romeo in Formula One. Source: Giuseppe Cacace/Pool/AFP

Best tuition-free universities for international students in Finland

Diaconia university of applied sciences (diak).

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, more commonly known as Diak, is a public university with five campuses in Helsinki, Oulu, Pieksämäki, Pori and Turku. 

Diak is Finland’s largest provider of UAS-level education (that refers to higher education institutes that focus on applied training and research) in social work, specialising in health care and interpreting.

What does it mean to study at Diak?  According to its students , studying here is the opportunity to make the world a better place and find their calling in the world of work. 

For those who are not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, tuition fees range between  4,000 to 6,000 euros  for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. 

Dream of studying in the happiest place on Earth with a chance to see the Northern Lights? With these tuition-free options, you’re one step closer to living that dream. Source: Photo by Olivier Morin/AFP

Centria University of Applied Sciences

With three campuses in the Ostrobothnian regions (Kokkola, Pietarsaari and Ylivieska), Centria University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) is a vibrant international university — with one in four of its 4,000 degree students  coming from outside of Finland. 

At a university of applied science, you will experience the highest standards of intellectual rigour in areas like  nursing ,  business intelligence  and  engineering . Practical learning experiences such as workshops and projects are incorporated into the curriculum to give students a realistic grip on the taught themes.

Depending on the programme, an  education  at CUAS will cost students outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland between 7,000 to 8,500 euros per academic year.

Students are eligible for an early bird discount of  1,500 euros  for the first year of their tuition if they accept an offer to study at CUAS and pay their fees within two weeks after the notification. 

You can pursue a bachelor’s degree in esports business at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences for as low as 6,000 euros per academic year. Source: Pascal Guyot/AFP

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

Situated in the heart of Finland, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KUAS) students are a stone’s throw away from Kajaani — a scenic and active town linked by excellent traffic connections and dotted with stunning forest-covered hills and beautiful lakes and rivers.

Here, KUAS students learn by doing. Take, for example, their bachelor’s degree in esports business . It includes field trips to explore esports events and events in the local community. 

An  education at KUAS will cost students outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland between 6,000 to 10,000 euros .

A group of people from different nationalities arrive to participate in the Guinness World Record attempt for the highest number of different nationalities inside a sauna at the Naval Academy Sauna on the island of Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland. Source: Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP

Tampere University

Tampere University is one of the youngest universities in Finland.  It has seven faculties , including the Faculty of Built Environment, Faculty of Education and Culture, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Management and Business, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Faculty of Social Sciences. 

It is well-known as one of the best universities to pursue research on subjects like game culture studies and tumour genetics .

Tuition fees at Tampere University cost around  6,000 to 10,000 euros for bachelor’s programmes. 

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Scholarship programmes for Doctoral-level studies and research in Finland

Edufi fellowship.

Are you looking for a scholarship to help you recruit a foreign student to do doctoral research? The EDUFI Fellowship is intended, particularly, for providing initial funding to carry out research for a doctoral thesis in Finland.

EDUFI Fellowship for doctoral students from Ukraine

EDUFI Fellowship for doctoral students from Ukraine provides doctoral level students from Ukraine the opportunity to continue their academic work in Finland and supports the academic community and the reconstruction of higher education system in Ukraine.

EDUFI Winter School

25. EDUFI Winter School has been cancelled

The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool

The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool grants were intended for doctoral level post-graduate studies and research in Finnish universities and public research centres. These grants can no longer be applied for.

Get a PhD in Business and Economics

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Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies

The Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies offers research training for postgraduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in the field of education, home economics and craft science. The research themes of the doctoral degree programme cover education, training, teaching, learning, development and instruction, well-being, learning environments and teacher education, and related social and cultural issues. The Doctoral Programme provides an opportunity for multidisciplinary and multimethodological research in education. The research may also focus on specific issues related to craft science and home economics. The disciplines included in the doctoral programme are adult education, special education, educational science, home economics, craft science and early childhood education. The doctoral programme is also open to doctoral students pursuing a doctorate in mathematics and science if the topic of their doctoral research is related to the research themes of the doctoral programme.

Research areas in the doctoral programme

The supervision of doctoral researchers is connected to the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, and the fields of Education and Adult Education as well as Special Education at the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology. 

Research areas of the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Educati…

Research areas of the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology

How to apply?

Please, read carefully the admission criteria and all other available instructions to check up that you are an eligible applicant to the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies. If you have questions or if you are unsure about your eligibility, contact amanuensis of the Doctoral Programme before submitting your application. Start preparing supervisory arrangements in good time - finding supervisors can take for a long time. You must contact potential supervisors  and discuss your doctoral research ideas and plans with them before submitting the application. Prepare your research plan carefully, it is important part of your application. Prepare also other application documents carefully. Allow enough time to complete and submit the online application form at Studyinfo.fi.

Philosophical Faculty

• Doctor of Philosophy (Education), Licentiate in Philosophy (Education)

Subjects: adult education, special education, educational science, early childhood education, home economics and craft science

• Doctor of Philosophy

Subjects: adult education, educational science, home economics and craft science  

Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology

• Doctor of Philosophy, Licentiate in Philosophy

Subjects: physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science

Admission criteria

Eligible applicants for doctoral studies in the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies must have completed by the end of the application period

Master's degree with science of adult education, special education/pedagogy, education, early childhood education, home economics or craft science as their major subject or completed advanced studies in any of these subjects or

Master's degree in some other relevant field of study or Master's degree at a university of applied sciences in a relevant field of study

Candidates applying from the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology are expected to have a subject teacher's qualification in physics, chemistry, mathematics or computer science, and the topics of postgraduate studies are related to learning, teaching or teacher education in these subjects.

Applicants must have

completed at least 60 ECTS credits in the major subject or other applicable subject of the doctoral degree

completed advanced studies with the grade "good" or higher

completed Master's thesis or an equivalent final thesis with the grade "good" or higher

sufficient English skills in order to complete the doctoral studies. The applicant can verify her/his English skills with an attachment to the application according to selection criteria

two supervisors, one of which is a professor from the doctoral programme. Supervisor consent form KASVA 

• a research plan of high quality approved by the supervisors

The board of the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies will assess the quality of the applicant's research plan and its relevance to the research topics of the programme.

Further details on selections criteria, instructions for making application and attachments required can be found in Studyinfo-service.

English language skills

Eligible applicants for doctoral studies must have sufficient English skills in order to complete the doctoral studies. Doctoral students are expected to be able to write scientific texts, participate in teaching, and communicate fluently with university staff in English.

The applicant can verify her/his English skills with an attachment to the application. These attachments must include a degree diploma, transcript of studies and a Diploma Supplement if the applicant has:

English as foreign language included in at least a Bachelor-level degree conducted in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) or in an EU/EEA country;

At least 20 ECTS university-level studies in the subject of English Studies completed in a Nordic or in an EU/EEA country;

Master's thesis written in English when Master's degree is completed in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country;

Bachelor's or Master's degree completed in English language in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country or Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States;

Doctoral Degree completed in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country or Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States;   

Secondary education and final examination completed in English (for example International Baccalaureate) in a Nordic country or in an EU/EEA country or Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States.  

In other case, the applicant is to prove her/his language skills in English with an English language test:  

TOEFL paper-based: Total score 600 and Writing 4.0;

TOEFL Internet-based and Special Home Edition of TOEFL iBT: Total Score 100 and Writing 22;

IELTS (Academic) on paper, on computer or online: Overall Score 6.5 and Writing 5.5;

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English), min. 59 points;

C1 Advanced (CAE), pass levels A, B or C / C2 Proficiency (CPE), pass levels A, B, C or level C1 Certificate;

National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI). Skills level 5 or 6 in the reading comprehension, writing and speaking subtests. 

For more information on the tests, please contact the language testing organizations.

Please note that a written statement by the applicant, prospective supervisor, English teacher, etc., is not an adequate proof of the applicant's sufficient English skills.

Research plan

Research proposal for the application, doctoral programme in educational studies.

When applying for doctoral degree studies, a research plan must be enclosed with the application. The student prepares the plan with his/her supervisors, and it must be approved by them. The research plan must cover the entire doctoral dissertation. If the research topic and materials change substantially during the studies, a new plan must be made. If the changes are significant, approval must be sought from the faculty. The research plan is usually drafted in Finnish or English. The maximum length of the research plan is ten pages (A4, single-spaced, Times or Arial 12 pt, 2-3 cm marginals).  

The research plan should apply the following structure: 

Title of the research and the name and contact information of the postgraduate student

Background - a short summary of the theoretical background of the research with necessary sources (including the methodological basis) - a description of earlier research related to the topic  - a description of what remains unknown about the research topic and an explanation of the research's relevance on a national and/or international scale

Aims and research questions - the aims of the research clearly defined and presented  - the research hypotheses or assumptions

Materials and methods - a description of the research methods and materials used, and the grounds for choosing the particular methods - a description of how the data and materials will be handled and used (also after the research has been completed) - a working plan, a plan for different stages of the work

Schedule and funding plans - a description and a schedule for the different stages of the work - the funding plan and funding sources of the research

The ethical aspects of the research - the ethical aspects of the research (e.g. whether the research requires statements from ethics committees or statutory research permits; possible permits should be attached to the research plan) 

Publication plan - the means and mode of publishing and/or presenting the research results

Applications of research results - an estimation of the applications and the social significance of the research results

References - a list of the references cited in the research plan 

The names of the persons and units participating in the research project

Funding doctoral studies

The right to pursue doctoral studies does not include funding or a contract of employment or teaching tasks at the University. However, full-time doctoral students need funding to cover their costs of living and potential research costs (travel costs, research material etc.). Funding options should be discussed with the supervisor already when planning to apply for a doctoral study right and creating a research plan.

Doctoral studies can be funded for example by a scholarship, by working as a researcher in a research project, by working as a doctoral candidate at the University of Eastern Finland (doctoral student position), or by studying part-time while at work. Doctoral students apply for funding themselves.

Read more about funding options of doctoral studies on Kamu Student handbook .

Application period

The application form for the Doctoral Program in Educational Studies on Studyinfo.fi is open during the spring semester from the beginning of January until the last weekday of May, and during the autumn semester from the beginning of August until the last weekday of November. Always check the exact application deadlines from Studyinfo.fi. Applications are processed as needed during the semester, and the granted study right begins in the same semester.  

What is Studyinfo.fi?

Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland.

Apply via Studyinfo

Fill in the online application for the programme at the studyinfo portal, dissertation and studies, requirements for doctoral dissertations, doctoral dissertation at the philosophical faculty  .

An eligible doctoral dissertation may be a monograph or a collection of research articles. A collection of research articles refers to an entity consisting a sufficient number of scientific publications of manuscripts, which examine the same set of problems, and an independently compiled summary based on them. At the Philosophical Faculty the article-based dissertation contains at least three peer-reviewed articles, two of which must have been accepted for publication and the third accepted for the review process. If the publications include collaborative works, the doctoral candidate must attest to his/her independent contribution either in the summary or in a separate appendix. The doctoral candidate must be the first author (responsible author) of at least three articles. A collaborative publication may be included in no more than two person's licentiate theses or doctoral dissertations.  

Requirements and evaluation of a Doctoral Dissertation at the Philosophical Faculty .

Studies and degree structure

The studies leading to the doctoral degree available in the doctoral programme in Educational studies comprise the doctoral dissertation, as well as doctoral studies of 50 ECTS.

• transferable skills studies (10-15 ECTS) contain philosophy of science and ethics, scientific writing skills and academic and other working life skills
• studies in the discipline and field of research (35-40 ECTS) contain research methods, research seminars and other discipline-specific postgraduate studies.  

Detailed information of the degree structure and study requirements in UEF Study Guide in Peppi .

Amanuensis Kaisu Kortelainen will answer queries concerning the Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies and postgraduate studies at the Philosophical Faculty, [email protected].

Further information about guidance and supervision in doctoral studies .

Instructions and forms for doctoral studies

You can find information for different phases in the doctoral education on Kamu Student handbook :

• Doctoral education at the University of Eastern Finland
• Starting doctoral education
• Doctoral curriculum and study requirements
• Internationalisation in doctoral education
• Guidance and support in doctoral education
• Support for doctoral research
• Funding of doctoral education
• Wellbeing of doctoral researcher
• Permission for public examination and pre-examination of doctoral dissertation
• Publishing of doctoral dissertation

News and events

Dissertation press releases in educational studies, finding one’s strengths and networks is crucial in tomorrow’s world of work, a memorable research exchange in finland, university of eastern finland and university of namibia expand collaboration to social sciences, enhancing thai teachers’ media skills in digital learning environments, learning analytics can provide meaningful data on learning and teaching, improving teacher education in palestine.

All dissertations

Upcoming examinations in Educational Studies

All examinations

Further information on the doctoral programme

Kaisu Kortelainen

Academic affairs specialist.

Student and Learning Services, University Services

kaisu.​kortelainen​@uef.fi

+358505623565

Markku Niemivirta

School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, Philosophical Faculty

markku.​niemivirta​@uef.fi

+358505189827

Jaana Viljaranta

School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Philosophical Faculty

jaana.​viljaranta​@uef.fi

+358503256093

Doctoral School and Doctoral Programmes

• University of Helsinki
• Website https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education

International and National Collaboration

Dive into details.

Select a country/territory to view shared publications and projects

Håvard Wallin Aagesen

• Department of Geosciences and Geography - Visiting scholar
• Digital Geography Lab
• Doc­toral Pro­gramme in In­ter­dis­cip­lin­ary En­vir­on­mental Sci­ences

Person: Visiting scholar, Doctoral Researcher

Tuomas Aakala

• Department of Forest Sciences - Title of Docent
• Boreal forest dynamics and biodiversity research group
• Doc­toral Pro­gramme in Sus­tain­able Use of Re­new­able Nat­ural Re­sources - Supervisor for doctoral programme

Juho Aaltio

Doctoral programme in clinical research.

Person: Doctoral Researcher

Iris Johanna Aalto

• TreeD lab - Terrestrial Ecosystem Dynamics
• Department of Geosciences and Geography - Doctoral Researcher

Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences

Person: U1 Research and teaching staff, Doctoral Researcher

• Department of Geosciences and Geography - Title of Docent, University Researcher
• BioGeoClimate Modelling Lab
• Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences - Supervisor for doctoral programme
• Doctoral Programme in Geosciences - Supervisor for doctoral programme

Person: U3 Research and teaching staff

Research units

Doctoral programme brain & mind.

University of Helsinki Doctoral School

Organisational unit : Doctoral programme

Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine

Doctoral programme in chemistry and molecular sciences, astrophysics laboratory.

Karri Muinonen (Manager) , Antti Penttilä (Other) , Mika Juvela (Other) & Seppo Korpela (Other)

Facility/equipment : Research Laboratory

Automatic titrator for in vitro digestion, conductivity measurements, and titration (OMNIS, Metrohm)

Fabio Valoppi (Manager)

Facility/equipment : Equipment

Biodata Analytics Unit

Ville Mustonen (Manager) , Mirkka Jones (Other) , Pasi Rastas (Other) , Jukka Siren (Other) & Fatemehsadat Seyednasrollah (Other)

Center for X-ray Spectroscopy

Simo Huotari (Manager) & René Bes (Manager)

Climate smart food and nutrition

Marina Heinonen (Manager) & Päivi Sorvali (Manager)

Facility/equipment : Core Facility

• 109 Not started
• 988 Finished

Projects per year

Restorative Justice in the Nordic Countries

Jauhiainen, A. , Ervasti, K., van Mastrigt, S., Wahlin, L., Jacobsson, M., Sandbye, C. R., Gade, C., Lowater, I. B. & Benediktsdóttir, K.

04/04/2024 → 15/12/2024

Project : Research project

Safeguarding the Melton Legacy Collection

Shiraiwa, S. & Willard, N.

02/04/2024 → …

ODE-systems with boundary conditions containing higher order derivatives

Taskinen, J. & Atlasiuk, O.

01/04/2024 → …

Project : Academy of Finland: Researcher mobility to Finland

Demokratiskt aktörskap, identitetspositioneringar och politiska imaginärer bland unga i Svenskfinland

Mikander, P. , Lehtinen, M. & Harju, O.

01/04/2024 → 31/03/2026

ALTED: Adult Learning and Transformative Sustainability Education

Zilliacus, H.

01/03/2024 → …

Publications

• 4344 Article
• 2578 Doctoral Thesis
• 1019 Chapter
• 340 Conference contribution
• 309 Abstract
• 261 Review Article
• 236 Meeting Abstract
• 220 Other contribution
• 135 Other articles
• 126 Master's thesis
• 117 Commissioned report
• 117 Book/Film/Article review
• 92 Editorial
• 90 Anthology or special issue
• 67 Literature review (scientific)
• 48 Entry for encyclopedia / dictionary
• 41 Comment/debate
• 40 Digital or Visual Products
• 34 Other conference material
• 34 Working paper
• 19 Foreword / postscript
• 19 Preprint
• 16 Conference article
• 12 Software
• 6 Web publication/site
• 5 Bachelor's thesis
• 3 Performance
• 3 Licenciate's thesis
• 2 Exhibition
• 2 Discussion paper

Research output per year

Indigenization and Californian Central Coast Museums

Research output : Thesis › Doctoral Thesis › Monograph

Indigenous Borderlands in the American West

Research output : Book/Report › Book › Scientific › peer-review

Indigenous Environmental Stewardship and Settler Colonial Borderlands

Material presences of jews in early modern england.

Research output : Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review

Mobile Bodies

• 9105 Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
• 5804 Oral presentation
• 4125 Peer review of manuscripts
• 3458 Invited talk
• 1358 Academic visit to other institution
• 1337 Supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral thesis
• 1044 Supervision of other thesis (Master's, Licentiate)
• 989 Membership or other role in national/international committee, council, board
• 813 Academic visit at UH
• 692 Public Talks
• 544 Types for other activities - Other
• 526 Types for other activities - External teaching and subject coordination
• 399 Member of doctoral thesis committee / follow-up group
• 360 Membership or other role in review committee
• 324 Pre-examiner of doctoral thesis
• 322 Opponent of doctoral dissertation
• 300 Consultancy
• 264 Editor of research journal
• 233 Membership or other role in public Finnish or international organization
• 227 Assessment of candidates for academic posts
• 178 Membership or other role in research network
• 69 Membership or other role of body in private company/organisation
• 68 Editor of research anthology/collection/conference proceedings
• 50 Editor of series
• 50 Post doctoral mentor
• 48 Editor of special theme number
• 27 Non-academic visit to other institution
• 26 Prizes and awards - Prizes and awards
• 20 Editor of communication journal
• 17 Assistant director of or other significant role in doctoral programme
• 12 Director of doctoral programme
• 8 Non-academic visit at UH
• 3 Other tasks of an expert in private sector

Activities per year

Humans (Journal)

Terhi Ainiala (Reviewer)

Activity : Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review of manuscripts

Current Politics and Songs of Extractivism in Greenland

Klisala Harrison (Speaker)

Activity : Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation

Tekevätkö käsityöt kaupungista pyhän? Urbaanien naisten käsitöiden tekeminen pyhän näkökulmasta

Riikka Myllys (Speaker)

Finnish Plant Science Days 2025

Wiktoria Fatz (Member of organizing committee)

Activity : Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars

Cecilia Costantini

Enrico Garavelli (Host)

Activity : Hosting a visitor types › Academic visit at UH

19th Cross-Strait News Reporting Award

Zhang, Xinwei (Recipient), 2015

Prize : Prizes and awards

1st Best Poster Prize

Prozheev, Igor (Recipient), 20 Jul 2023

1st prize from Orion Pharma Competition on¨"Making more efficient medicines"

D. A. Garcia, Susana (Recipient), 2017

1st Prize ICC2019 Map Awards (Digital Products)

Fink, Christoph (Recipient), Jul 2019

1st prize poster presentation

Tuomimaa, Julia Pepita (Recipient), 13 Oct 2023

Snapshots from MD simulations of Yarrowia lipolytica complex I

Sharma, V. (Creator) & Lasham, J. (Creator), Zenodo, 2023

Snapshots from MD simulations of Yarrowia lipolytica complex I with 2Qs

Sharma, V. (Creator) & Djurabekova, A. (Creator), Zenodo, 2023

Fine-root biomass, fine-root production and environmental variables in four forested site types under undrained and drained conditions in Lakkasuo peatland, Southern Finland

Laiho, R. (Creator), Lampela, M. (Creator), Minkkinen, K. (Creator), Strakova, P. (Creator), Bhuiyan, R. (Creator), Wei, H. (Creator), Mäkiranta, P. (Creator), Ojanen, P. (Creator) & Penttilä, T. (Creator), Pangaea, 2023

DOI : 10.1594/PANGAEA.942591

Pohjoismaiset ravitsemussuositukset 2023, opetusvideo

Erkkola, M. (Creator), Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulu, Aug 2023

https://www.xamk.fi/tutkimus-ja-kehitys/kasvispro-kauhakaupalla-kasviksia/

Reception Reader: Shakespeare text reuse dataset

Tolonen, M. (Creator), Rosson, D. E. (Creator), Vaara, V. (Creator), Mäkelä, E. (Creator), Mahadevan, A. (Creator) & Ryan, Y. C. (Creator), Journal of Open Humanities Data, 2023

DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.7610480

Press/Media

Opi kieliä -blogi.

Lotta Aunio

1 Media contribution

Press/Media : Press / Media

Lärarutbildningarna i Svenskfinland fokuserar på mångfald – ”Ingen lärare är neutral”

Pia Mikander & Fritjof Sahlström

1 item of Media coverage

Haastattelu Vantaan Sanomiin

Petteri Muukkonen

Haastattelu arvonlisäveron noston vaikutuksista

Juha Tervala

Prata och hitta på roliga saker tillsammans - med det kommer en familj långt

Mirjam Kalland

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering

Application period:

Language of instruction:, eligibility:, field of study:, organising school:, choose doctoral studies at the school of engineering.

The research at our school focuses on Arctic technology, sustainable built environments, mechanics and materials, multidisciplinary energy technologies and systems design and production.

Doctoral student Aino Mäntyranta: Materials stole my heart during my undergraduate degree

Aino Mäntyranta’s interest in engineering materials led her to win an award for her master’s thesis and to pursue a career in research.

What are doctoral studies like?

As a doctoral student, you are part of an international academic community. The doctoral research and studies develop you into an expert of your research topic and build your professional capacity.

Doctoral education pilot

We are hiring 178 new doctoral researchers - get your doctorate from Aalto

Your path to doctoral studies at the School of Engineering

• Apply for a salaried doctoral researcher position at Aalto. Salaried doctoral researcher positions are advertised at  Aalto University Open positions .
• If you are interested in  full-time studies but there are no open positions at the moment, please directly contact a professor in charge of your intended research field to discuss the possible supervision of doctoral studies. Professors may also have information on other funding possibilities (such as grants), as well as on upcoming positions that are not yet announced.
• If you are employed elsewhere but wish to pursue doctoral studies, that is possible either as a  full-time or part-time student , depending on your situation. In this case, please contact the potential supervising professor directly. Note that to pursue the degree, you need to reside in Finland at least part of the study time.
• It is also possible to start pursuing doctoral studies without funding (part-time doctoral studies). In this case, please contact the potential supervising professor directly. Note that to pursue the degree, you need to reside in Finland at least part of the study time. Non-Finnish citizens need therefore to take into account  the income requirements of the Finnish Immigration Service. 
• After agreeing with the supervising professor, apply for the study right  (in addition to a possible working contract at Aalto) in our doctoral programme - see instructions below. Please note that you are not a doctoral student before you are officially admitted to the doctoral programme.

Note: Before applying for the salaried positions and/or contacting the potential supervising professor(s), please check below the requirements and qualifications needed for applying for the study right in our doctoral programme.

Discover your research topic and find a supervising professor

Research activities at the departments are arranged under research groups. If your research interest aligns with one of the research groups, it will be easier to find a doctoral study place.

Find research groups under our Department pages 

Research fields and supervising professors in the School of Engineering

In addition to the departments' and research groups' pages, you can use Aalto University's research portal for finding the professors who are researching the area in which you want to do your doctoral research. Before applying for doctoral studies you should be aware of the research done and researchers working in the field of your interest.

Aalto University's research portal for finding our researchers and research projects

More information on discovering your research topic and finding a professor

Get to know our research and people

District heating customers and companies could benefit from better services

District heat providers should do more to heed their customers' wishes, and both stand to gain.

Mashrura Musharraf: You don’t get to see a lot of women like me in academic leadership positions

'I think my shoes are quite unique, and so is my path. You don’t get to see a lot of women like me, a non-white female from Bangladesh, in academic leadership positions. Especially in a male-dominated field like marine technology.'

Graduate Sustainability Competencies and Influence in the Workplace – Aalto University's Latest Research

Aalto University's Meeri Karvinen successfully defends her doctoral dissertation, February 2024.

Raine Viitala: 'Spotify for electric motors' opens up platforms for device designers

A research team aims to make electricity and machines work better together

ERC funding to Assistant Professor Junhe Lian to explore new materials via advanced manufacturing

Assistant professor Junhe Lian's goal is to develop an efficient, digital, and ecologically sustainable method for developing new materials and advanced manufacturing technologies with the help of the ERC Starting Grant.

Basic information on doctoral studies

Objective of studies.

The goal of our doctoral education is not only to educate researchers and professors of the future, but also to equip them with professional skills so that they can become experts and game changers in the engineering industry and other sectors.

The aim of doctoral studies is that the student:

• To acquire a profound knowledge of their research field and its social significance;
• To obtain the necessary skills to independently apply the scientific methods of their field and produce new scientific knowledge;
• To obtain a thorough knowledge of the research methods and development of their research field;
• To possess a sufficient level of expertise in the philosophy of engineering and other areas related to their research field.

Content of studies and degree structure

Doctoral students are to complete their degree in four years of full-time study, during which they complete the required doctoral studies and write a doctoral thesis that will be examined in a public defence. For this timescale to be feasible, the workload of the degree should be proportionate to the objective duration of studies. This will be taken into account in the course of the supervision of the doctoral student.

The Doctor of Science (Technology) degree consists of

• an approved doctoral thesis 
• research field studies (20–35 ECTS)
• general research studies (5–20 ECTS)

Study language

The language of instruction is, in principle, English but the doctoral thesis can also be completed in Finnish or Swedish.

The applicants will define in their application in which language they will pursue the degree. The possible languages are Finnish, Swedish, or English. If doctoral students want to write their doctoral thesis in Finnish or in Swedish, the language of the degree will be Finnish or Swedish. If the doctoral thesis is written in English, doctoral students can choose English as the language of the degree that must be approved by the doctoral programme committee. The language of degree can, on reasonable grounds, be changed at a later stage if the language of the doctoral thesis changes.

Funding and fees

The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are

• working in a salaried doctoral researcher position
• personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies

Most Aalto doctoral students combine different funding sources during their studies. 

How to find and apply for funding for doctoral studies and research? Generally Aalto University does not offer scholarships for doctoral studies. However, there is an on-going scholarship scheme until 2024 for students from African and South American countries: Finland Fellowship .

During the academic year 2024-2025, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture is funding 178 new doctoral researcher positions at Aalto University through a doctoral education pilot.

Doctoral education pilot: 178 doctoral researchers' salaried positions

Fees and costs

Aalto University doctoral studies are free of tuition fees. Aalto University does not charge fees for enrollment to the University. Doctoral students are welcome to join the Aalto University Student Union. The membership of the Student Union is subject to an annual fee.

If you need a residence permit for research in Finland, please see more information about income requirement at the Finnish Immigration Services .

International possibilities

Internationality is an integral part of the school’s doctoral education in both recruiting and educating doctoral candidates. The School of Engineering is well connected to a number of top-level international universities and research institutes in the field.

Aalto University encourages its doctoral candidates to spend at least six months of their study time abroad because international mobility enhances doctoral candidates’ career prospects. Visiting a foreign university or research institute often means sharing knowledge and know-how, creating new ideas, expanding international networks, and developing one’s professional proficiency.

More information

Career opportunities and employability for Aalto doctoral students

Why choose Aalto University?

How to apply?

Application periods

There are two annual application periods for the programme: one in September and another in March.

The spring application period for doctoral studies starting in the spring term is 15 February 2024 until 7 March 2024 (15:00 PM GMT +2) (decisions are made in April). The autumn application period for doctoral studies starting in the autumn term is 22 August 2024 until 12 September 2024 (15:00 PM GMT +2) (decisions are made in October).

Additional application periods in 2024: 17 May 2024 until 7 June 2024 (23.59 PM GMT +2) and 15 November 2024 until 5 December 2024 (23.59 PM GMT +2)

Please note that from 1 August 2016 onwards the accepted applicants may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (Universities Act 558/2009). Higher education degrees include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees awarded by universities as well as degrees from universities of applied sciences.

Applicants must submit the electronic application and all required attachments by the deadline. Only complete applications will be processed.

Eligibility

Eligibility of applicants to the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering

To be eligible for doctoral studies at the School of Engineering, students must hold:

• a master’s degree granted by a Finnish university or a Finnish university of applied sciences that provides them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for, or;
• a degree granted by a university or university of applied sciences abroad corresponding to the Finnish master’s degree, providing them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for.

In principle, an acceptable master’s degree is one carried out in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process (3+2 years). A degree earned abroad in a country that does not follow the Bologna Process must include a minimum of four years of studies and a master’s thesis, and be deemed by the School of Engineering as providing the student with an adequate knowledge base for doctoral studies in the school.

Applying with a degree from a university of applied sciences

The potential of applicantsto succeed in doctoral studies is assessed by the School of Engineering on a case-by-case basis for applicants with a Finnish master’s degree from a university of applied sciences. Granting the right to study requires that the school to determine the applicant’s need for supplementary studies. If the school deems that such an applicant in an applicable technical field does have potential for completing the doctoral degree, the applicant will be assigned any necessary ssupplementary studies to allow him or her to start the doctoral studies. The extent of supplementary studies may not, however, exceed 60 ECTS. If the extent of supplementary studies exceeds this maximum, the applicant will be advised to first pursue the master's degree before applying for a right to pursue a doctoral degree. When assessing the applicants’ potential for doctoral studies, the school shall take into account that the extent of the master’s degree from a university of applied sciences in the field of technology is 60 ECTS, which corresponds to studies of one year’s duration, whereas the extent of a university master’s degree is 120 ECTS, which corresponds to studies of two years’ duration. The extent of master’s degrees from a university of applied sciences in fields other than technology is 60 ECTS or 90 ECTS.

International applicants with a previous technical degree corresponding to a Finnish degree from a university of applied sciences are subject to the same rules as those with the corresponding Finnish degree.

It is also possible to complete doctoral studies in a field or school other than the one in which the master’s degree was obtained. Those wishing to pursue doctoral studies in another field, on account of job experience gained in that field or interest in it, can discuss with a professor in that field the necessary prerequisites for admission as a doctoral student.

The professor (i.e. supervising professor) who is responsible for the research field to which the applicant is applying to is responsible for the academic evaluation of the applicant. The Doctoral Programme Committee will also evaluate the applicant.

Full-time and part-time studies

Full-time doctoral students plan their studies with the aim of completing a doctoral degree within four years of admission to the doctoral programme. Full-time doctoral students need to have funding allocated for the doctoral studies (e.g. project funding, a personal grant or funding from employer).  Students working outside of Aalto University who wish to be full-time doctoral students must provide a document of the employers' approval for full-time doctoral studies (working students must be able to dedicate up to 80 % of their working hours).

Part-time doctoral student

Part-time doctoral students are those who do not meet the above-mentioned requirements for full-time doctoral students. Their studies are planned in such a way that the time spent on doctoral studies is eight years or less. A part-time doctoral student typically has a main occupation outside the School of Engineering which occupation does not include scientific research for a doctoral thesis.

Applicants for part-time doctoral studies should discuss:

• whether the research is closely connected with the applicant’s own work;
• what opportunities the employer has for supporting intensive postgraduate studying e.g. alongside work.

Admission requirements

The following is required of the applicant:

• Adequate knowledge in the research field applied for, gained through, for example, courses in the major subject or courses in an advanced module within the master’s studies.
• Sufficient basic knowledge that supports the thesis work and the writing of the thesis.
• An excellent command of Finnish, Swedish or English.

When necessary, the School of Engineering will set prerequisites for admission to the doctoral programme. These may be gained by taking master's-level courses.

Grades (on the scale of 1 to 5)

• The master’s thesis has been completed with the minimum grade of 3/5.
• The master’s degree that is the basis of doctoral studies has been completed with an average grade of 3.0/5 or higher.
• Those with a master’s degree earned in accordance with the degree regulations of 1995 or at an earlier time must have earned the master’s degree that is the basis of doctoral studies with an average grade of 3.0/5 or higher.

The same criteria are applied to students with a foreign degree or degree from another Finnish university or university of applied sciences. Students who fail to meet these minimum grade criteria, but are otherwise suitable for doctoral studies, may improve their grades by taking additional courses, or the School of Engineering may set other prerequisites for doctoral studies.

Other admissions criteria (academic evaluation):

• prior academic success;
• content of prior university studies;
• potential for a researcher career, prior research experience: research-related work experience, conference presentations, journal articles etc.;
• suitability of the research topic: relevance of the topic for the research focus area of the department;
• research proposal: the original contribution of the research to the theory and practice of the field; the feasibility of the research proposal;
• time management and resources: the feasibility of the study plan and the time available for the doctoral studies within the next four years;
• the university’s resources for thesis supervision in the applicant’s field of research;
• other grounds presented by the applicant.

The professor (i.e. supervising professor) responsible for the research field the applicant is applying to is responsible for the academic evaluation of the applicant. The Doctoral Programme Committee will also evaluate the applicant.

Application materials

Please submit your application for doctoral studies by filling in the electronic application form. All the application materials must be submitted  in electronic format (pdf) . Also see the instructions for mailing the degree certificates and transcripts*.

The mailing address for degree certificates and transcripts of records is:

Reetta Mannola Aalto University School of Engineering P. O. Box 15200 00076 Aalto Finland

If you deliver your documents by using courier services, please use the following address:

Reetta Mannola or Ritva Viero                                         Aalto University                                           School of Engineering                                 Room 233                                               Tietotie 1E                                               02150 Espoo                                               Finland                                                         [email protected]  or   [email protected]  

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Therefore, start to prepare your application early enough.

The study credit plan, research plan and supervision plan need to be approved by the applicant and the supervising professor. By signing these documents, the professor responsible for the research field confirms his or her commitment to be the supervising professor of the applicant.

Students who have earned a master's degree at Aalto University (or the forerunners of Aalto University) are required to provide the following application materials:

• Application form in the Studyinfo.fi
• A curriculum vitae (CV) that includes a list of publications and other scientific activity
• Preliminary study credit plan  (PDF) (the supervising professor's signature is needed). Please see curriculum 2022-2024 . Please use the abbreviation D for doctoral level courses provided by Aalto University. Note, a compulsory course: Research Ethics for Doctoral Students D, LC-L1010
• Preliminary  research plan (PDF) and schedule for its completion. The plan must include the signature of the applicant and the supervising professor of the research field applied for. Full-time doctoral candidates should prepare their research and publishing plan for a midterm review (after 1½-2 years of doctoral studies). This means, for example, completing all courses (40 ECTS) and developing the research and publishing plan according to the plan.
• Funding plan; alternatively, it can be included in the research proposal. Indicate the start and ending of secured funding time and describe your funding sources (scholarships, projects etc.).
• Supervision plan ( Guidelines for supervising doctoral candidates ). The supervision plan must include the signatures of the applicant, the supervising professor, and the thesis advisor.
• Motivation letter in English, one page long
• Copy of the applicant's passport or ID-card
• Any other supporting documents e.g. letter(s) of recommendations

Applicants with a master's degree or education earned at an institution other than Aalto University (or the forerunners of Aalto University) shall also provide the following documents:

• master's degree certificate, including all the appendices and  the Diploma Supplement  in European countries
• Official transcripts of records of all the courses included in the master’s degree
• Official translations of these, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English.
• Please upload these as scanned copies to the electronic application form on Studyinfo.fi and mail them to the address above, too .
• Abstract of master's thesis in English
• A successful applicant must have an excellent command of Finnish, Swedish, or English.
• Please see Required language proficiency
• A document confirming eligibility for doctoral studies, if needed (please see eligibility for doctoral studies under the sections How to apply? - Eligibility ) with an official translation, if the original document is not in Finnish, Swedish or English

Please also see the  country-specific requirements if the degree is awarded in: 

Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sudan, the United Kingdom or the United States.

*Degrees awarded by a higher education institution outside Finland:

You are asked to present your original degree certificate (including all the appendices and  the Diploma Supplement  in European countries) and official transcript of records,  or certified copies of all these*  before a right to study can be granted. You are asked also to present official translations* of these, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish or English.

*Degrees awarded by a higher education institution in Finland:

If you have completed a degree in Finland  after 1 January 2003  and you have a  Finnish personal identification code , Aalto University will verify your degree electronically using a national database.

If your degree was completed  before 1 January 2003 , or you do not have a Finnish personal identification code, you are asked to present your original degree certificate  (including all the appendices and  the Diploma Supplement  in European countries)  and official transcript of records  or certified copies of all these*  before a right to study can be granted.

  *Certified copies and translations

Copies of degree certificates and a transcript of records must be  certified by the awarding university  or  by a notary public . The copies must be taken from the original, official documents. A multiple-page certified copy must be certified on the front side of every page. Each page must have the  certifying official’s original signature, printed name, ink stamp and date . Copies of officially certified copies are not accepted, thecertifying official’s ink stamps and signatures must be original. A note declaring official copy status (such as a “True copy” stamp) is insufficient.

The translation is official if it has been done by the  higher education institution that awarded the degree  or by a  certified translator (authorised translator) . The translations must have the certified translator’s original ink stamp and signature.

The official translations must be either original or certified paper copies of the original documents. Unofficial copies of the translations are insufficient. The official translations must be accompanied by certified paper copies of the original documents in the original language. Translations by themselves are insufficient.

Supervising professors for the research fields of the doctoral programme are listed here .

Required language proficiency

All international students applying for doctoral studies must demonstrate their proficiency in English. Applicants are required to attach an official language test report to their application.

The recognized English language tests and their minimum scores required for admission to doctoral studies are (Aalto University Admissions Criteria 2024):

• Academic: 6.5 and for writing 5.5
• Indicator (Academic): 6.5 and for writing 5.5
• IBT (Internet-based Test): 92 and for the writing section 22 or
• iBT® Special Home Edition: 92 and for the writing section 22
• PDT (Paper-delivered Test): reading 22, listening 22 ja writing 24
• C1 Advanced (prev. Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)): A,B or C
• C2 Proficiency (prev. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)): A,B,C or Level C1
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A): 62 and for writing 54

The minimum requirements are very strict. If your score does not fulfill the minimum requirements, you are not eligible to apply and your application cannot be processed. Only the above-mentioned language tests are accepted.

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE results are valid for two years starting from the test date. The CAE and CPE results do not have an expiration date .

Submitting language test scores

Only official reports of the language test are acceptable as proof of proficiency.

• For IELTS test, upload a copy of the official test report (as a PDF) to the application system. The test results are verified through the test administrator’s electronic verification service.
• TOEFL test results must be sent to Aalto University by the test administrator directly. Request your official score report to be sent from the test administrator to Aalto University reporting code  7364 . Unofficial score reports sent by applicants will not be accepted. Test scores submitted with the Aalto University reporting code are checked for authenticity in the test administrator’s verification database. The scores are available within 1 to 2 weeks of sending the score report request.
• PTE test scores are sent via the test administrator’s electronic service. Applicants who took the PTE test must log in to their PTE account and send their results in the system to Aalto University. The test administrator notifies by email when the results have been sent to the university.
• For the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency language test, upload a PDF copy of the results report to the application system. The test-taker’s ID number (e.g. ABC1234567) and reference number (e.g. 173YU0034522) must be entered in the system. Test takers must be logged in to the language test system to submit their results to Aalto University. The results are verified electronically.

An English language test is not required in doctoral admissions of applicants who  (Aalto University Admissions Criteria 2024):

Applicants who have completed a higher education degree and the requisite studies

• at a university or a university of applied sciences in Finland in Finnish, Swedish or English;
• at a university or a university of applied sciences in an EU/EEA country in English. The language of the degree must be stated in the degree certificate or its appendix, the transcript of records or other official document, such as diploma supplement, issued by the higher education institution in question.
• in an English-language programme requiring a physical on-site presence at a university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa or the United States.
• received his or her primary and secondary education in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States.
• earned a degree Aalto Executive Education MBA, EMBA or DBA.
• has completed the CEMS Master in International Management entity.
• Applicants to doctoral studies who have academic duties in the field of science and technology at Aalto University (statement needed from the professor of the research field on the adequacy of the student’s language proficiency).

In points 1–3 of the above list, a minimum of one half of the aforementioned degree must be completed in a country and higher education institution that meets the requirements for exempting the student from taking an English test. The language of the degree must be stated unambiguously in the degree certificate or its appendix, or in the transcript of records or other official document issued by the awarding institution. If the degree was completed in more than one language, the appendix must indicate the amount of studies that were completed in English.

In points 1-2 of the above list, university degree showing language proficiency must be at least three years´ lower university degree, at least one year´s higher university degree or doctorate. The university must be recognised part of the country´s official national education system. The university must be found on the country´s official list of recognised universities with a right to degree-granting or on a list of recognised universities maintained by an international organisation (e.g., UNESCO).

The university must be recognised in the country of point 1 or 2.

Only the above-mentioned groups are exempted from the language test requirement. For all other applicants, the official language test result is a compulsory application document and applications without the test result will not be processed. There are no exceptions to the above-mentioned requirements.

Application procedure

Guidelines for filling in the application form

• After reading the instructions and getting all the documents ready, register on the online Studyinfo.fi application system. Fill in the application, attach all the required documents and send it.
• Definition of a full-time and a part-time doctoral candidate. Please indicate accordingly. Full-time doctoral students must be able to dedicate up to 80 % of their working hours. Those working outside Aalto University and applying for full-time doctoral studies must provide a document of the employees' approval for full-time doctoral studies.
• The language of the degree : choose either Finnish, Swedish or English
• Last name and all first names: the spelling of names must match your valid passport.
• Contact information: all information regarding the application and the decision process will be sent to the email address you provide.
• If you haven't completed your master's degree by the application deadline, check the graduation schedule with your home university and the date for acquiring your official degree certificate.
• Conditions for providing student information: The conditions will take effect if and when you receive a right to study. You will be able to change the conditions in the Sisu ( [email protected] ) system later.
• Remember to save and submit your application.

Before submitting the application, each applicant must contact a professor in charge of doctoral studies in their intended research field and the supervision of the studies. Applicants are urged to ensure that their own expertise and research interests are commensurate with those of the research group that they are applying to to  (and with those of the supervising professor of their studies).

In order to prepare for the discussion with the professor, it is beneficial to prepare a CV (along with a possible list of publications) and a preliminary research plan. At this point the applicant’s eligibility and prerequisites for doctoral studies will be checked by the professor. Possible prerequisites for admission will also be discussed.

In addition to the research plan, the student will discuss the study plan, a funding plan and a supervision plan with the professor. See more about these documents below. By signing the application, you and your supervising professor commit to study and work according to the mutual plan. See  here for more information about the rights and responsibilities of the student and the supervising professor.

If you have any questions about the admissions, please contact the Learning Services of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering

Get to know us – The Departments of the School of Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is a leading multidisciplinary research establishment with strong industrial ties and impact on industry and society alike.

Department of Civil Engineering

The Department of Civil Engineering aims to build the structures of tomorrow through research, education and collaboration.

Department of Built Environment

Water resources, spatial data, sustainable asset management and safe transportation.

• Published: 14.1.2020
• Updated: 3.4.2024

Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies

The Doctoral Program in Theology and Religious Studies offers a rich coverage of traditional areas of research explored at the Faculty of Theology, which has a highly international and dynamically developing academic profile. Our doctoral candidates may specialize in, for example, Biblical studies, which encompasses both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament and early Christianity.

They may choose to study church history, internationally or in the North-European and Finnish contexts, or focus on the study of religions and religiosity also outside the Christian traditions.They can, within systematic theology, examine historical or contemporary issues in social ethics, ecumenical theology, dogmatics, and the philosophy of religion, or within practical theology investigate socially highly relevant themes in church sociology, religious education, and pastoral theology.

Want to know more? Visit our profile & activities page to learn more about the programme.