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.
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.
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