Eligibility and admission criteria
The Finnish University law outlines eligibility (The Finnish University law 24.7.2009/558: 37 §)
School of Engineering policy on doctoral student admission in 2022 (Academic Committee for Engineering)
Eligibility of applicants of the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering
To be eligible for doctoral studies at the School of Engineering, students must:
- hold a master’s degree in technology granted by a Finnish university
- hold a master’s degree granted by a Finnish university providing them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for
- hold a degree granted by a university abroad corresponding to the Finnish Master of Science in technology, architecture or landscape architecture and providing them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for or
- hold an applicable degree earned abroad providing them with eligibility for corresponding university studies in the country where the degree was earned, and with the knowledge base required by the research field applied for in the School of Engineering
The knowledge and skills required for the doctorate degree are demonstrated by completing a master's degree (university) or by a degree earned abroad that qualifies the applicant for equivalent doctoral studies in the country where the degree was earned. If the degree or education differs from the description above, but makes the applicant eligible for doctoral studies in the country that awarded the degree or gave the education, the applicant must provide a document confirming his/her eligibility for doctoral studies in the country where the degree/education was given.
In principle, an acceptable master’s degree has been 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 4 years of studies and a master’s thesis, and be deemed by the School as providing the student with an adequate knowledge base for doctoral studies in the School of Engineering.
Applying with a degree from a polytechnic university
Admission criteria
Application periods
Application periods to the Doctoral Programme in Engineering is twice a year: in March and in September.
- March 1 - 21, 2022 3 pm (GMT +2)
- (decisions in April)
- September 1 - 20, 2022 3 pm (GMT +2)
- (decisions in October)
Funding
Doctoral candidates can avail of various alternatives to finance their studies and research work. Funding can be discussed with the supervising professor. More information on funding is here.
Applications for funded doctoral student positions and applications for a study right leading to doctoral degree are submitted using Opintopolku or Studyinfo form. Please see the application instructions for funded doctoral student positions. Note! If you are applying for both a doctoral study right and a funded position, you should fill out BOTH forms in Studyinfo (application period September 2022).
More information: reetta.mannola@aalto.fi or ritva.viero@aalto.fi
Research fields and professors for doctoral studies
Before submitting the application, each applicant must contact a professor in charge of their intended research field to doctoral studies and the supervision of the studies. Applicants are urged to ensure that their expertise and research interests are commensurate with the research group (and those of the supervising professor of their studies) that they apply to.
In order to prepare for the discussion with the professor, it is beneficiary to prepare a CV (along with a list of possible publications) and a preliminary research plan. At this point the applicant’s eligibility and prerequisites for doctoral studies will be checked by the professor. Also the possible prerequisites for entry will be discussed.
In addition to the research plan, a study plan, a funding plan and a supervision plan will be discussed with the professor. See more about these documents below. When the applicant signs the application he/she commits to study according to it and when the supervising professor signs the application he/she commits to be the supervising professor of the student. More information about the rights and responsibilities of the student and the supervising professor here.
Process of applying for doctoral studies (pdf) here.
Supervising professors for the research fields of the doctoral programme are listed here.
Contact information of the Departments here.
Application instructions
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). The required signatures of the applicant and the professor should exist in electronic attachments (please see application materials needed). Also see the instructions for mailing the degree certificates and transcripts*.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Therefore, start to prepare your application early enough.
The study 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.
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 (degree certificates and transcripts of records) 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
reetta.mannola@aalto.fi or ritva.viero@aalto.fi
Although special conditions are in place for the time being, Aalto University is gradually reopening the Otaniemi campus, according to safety guidelines. See more information at https://www.aalto.fi/en/aalto-university/information-on-coronavirus (if the link doesn't work, you can copy the URL and paste it into your web browser). The policies may be revised if the pandemic situation or official recommendations by the authorities change.
Our staff is still working remotely and with limited resources. For that reason, be prepared that the processing of applications and granting the right to study might be delayed.
Application Materials
Students who have earned a master's degree at Aalto University are required to provide the following application materials:
- Application form / Hakemuslomake (available from 1 September 2022)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including list of publications and other scientific activity
- Preliminary study plan (pdf), (signature of supervising professor needed). Please see degree structure and course work. Note the abbreviation D for doctoral level courses provided by Aalto University.
- Preliminary research plan (pdf) and schedule for its completion. The plan must include the signatures of the applicant and of the supervising professor of the research field applied for.
Full-time doctoral candidates should prepare their research and publishing plan with a goal for midterm review (after 1½-2 years of doctoral studies). This means, for example, completing all courses (40 cr) and that the research and publishing plan has progressed according to the plan. - Funding plan. (Can be included in the research proposal). State the start and ending of secured funding time and also suggest from where the missing funding will be acquired (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
- Copy of the passport/ ID-card
- Any other supporting documents e.g. letter 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 or a certified copy, and official transcript*
- 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 and mail them to the address above, too.
- Abstract of master's thesis in English
- Proof of proficiency in Finnish, Swedish or English
- A successful applicant must have an excellent command of Finnish, Swedish, or English.
- Please see Required language proficiency
- If the applicant is working at the department or if the applicant applies for full-time doctoral studies, the supervising professor may write a statement of recommendation that the applicant has sufficient language skills. If the professor writes a statement of recommendation, no language test is required.
- A document confirming eligibility for doctoral studies, if needed (please see Eligibility for doctoral studies) 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 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.
*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.
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 for full-time and part-time doctoral candidate. Please note! Full-time doctoral students must be able to spend 80 % of their working hours to doctoral studies. Those working outside Aalto University who apply for the full-time doctoral studies must provide a document of the employees' approval for full-time doctoral studies.
- The language of the degree - you can choose here 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 given.
- If you haven't completed your Master's degree by the application dead line, check from your home university the graduation schedule and the date for acquiring your official degree certificate.
- Conditions for giving out student information - The conditions will take effect if and when you receive a study right. You will be able to change the conditions in SISU (sisu.aalto.fi) system later on.
- Remember to save and submit your application.
Language requirements
Accepted language tests
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 language tests and their minimum score requirements are listed below.
- IELTS
- Academic: 6.5 and for writing 5
- Indicator (Academic): 6.5 and for writing 5
- TOEFL:
- 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.
Granting the right to pursue doctoral studies
The Dean of the School of Engineering approves/rejects doctoral students from the recommendation of the Doctoral Programme Committee. All applicants are informed of the decision in writing. A successful applicant will be granted with right to pursue the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology. All doctoral students are defined as either full-time or part-time students.
Full-time and part-time doctoral studies
Language of degree of a doctoral student
Applies to doctoral programmes at Aalto University.
The doctoral student will define in his/her application for doctoral studies in which language he/she will pursue his/her degree (language of degree). The possible languages are Finnish, Swedish (not in the School of Business) or English. If the doctoral student wants to write his/her doctoral dissertation (the compiling part of a compilation dissertation or a monograph) or his/her licentiate thesis in Finnish or Swedish, the language of degree of the doctoral student will be Finnish or Swedish.
The language of degree can on reasonable grounds be changed later on, if e.g. the language of the doctoral dissertation or licentiate thesis changes. A freely formulated, signed application with reasons for why the language of degree should be changed, shall be submitted to the doctoral programme of the student’s own school together with the degree certificate application.
A doctoral student whose language of degree is Finnish or Swedish will get the degree certificate in Finnish or Swedish along with a translation in English. If the doctoral student writes his/her thesis in Finnish or Swedish, the language of the degree will always be Finnish or Swedish despite the earlier choice of language.
If the doctoral student’s language of degree is English, he/she will get the degree certificate in English and in Finnish or Swedish. The language of degree will be mentioned in the diploma supplement, and also that two degree certificates have been given.
This guideline will take effect starting from 1.1.2016. Doctoral students who have been chosen to the doctoral programme before 1.1.2016 may submit a freely formulated application to get the language of degree assigned with the same principles as new students.