Doctoral education

Doctoral degree is the highest academic degree and qualifies the graduate first and foremost for research positions. It gives abilities and skills to do research but also to work in businesses, in the industry or as a civil servant. Qualified researchers are wanted workers at universities, schools and other educational institutions, research centers and in companies.

The Faculty conducts multidisciplinary research of high national and international esteem. Doctoral researchers are significant contributors to this research. The Faculty offers the following doctoral degrees: Doctor of Science (Agriculture and Forestry), Doctor of Food Sciences, and Doctor of Philosophy. Some forty doctors graduate from the Faculty every year.

The degree consists of a doctoral dissertation and of 30 credits of theoretical studies. The core of the doctoral degree is research conducted under an experienced researcher’s supervision. In addition, the public defence of the dissertation is an integral part of doctoral studies.  

Doctoral study right is applied from the doctoral programmes but the study right is awarded by the Faculty.  When applying, the applicant has to state a target degree and a Faculty in the application based on their previous degree and the subject of their dissertation. Doctoral programmes organise courses and seminars and provide doctoral students with systematic education and supervision in their fields.

More information on doctoral education at the University of Helsinki is available on the page Doctoral education at the University of Helsinki

More information on studies, supervision and reinstatement of the right to pursue doctoral studies on the page Studies service

More information on how to applying doctoral study rights is available on University’s web site Apply to doctoral programmes.

More information on doctoral education