How to apply

[Suomeksi]

Please note: From 1 August 2016 onwards students 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, licentiate and doctoral degrees awarded by universities as well as polytechnic degrees. The academic terms run from 1 August to 31 December and 1 January to 31 July. The acceptance of a study place is binding and cannot be canceled. Even if the student postpones the commencement of studies or gives up her/his right to study, the student cannot accept another study place leading to a higher education degree starting the same academic term.

Before submitting the application

Before submitting the application, each applicant must contact the professor in charge of their intended research field to discuss beginning and supervising doctoral 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, 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. 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 during the meeting. 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.

Application and its appendices:

  • Completed application form 430 (foreign degree) / 300 (Finnish degree)
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
    • including a list of publications and an account of other scientific activity; Remember to update you CV so that the information there does not conflict with your funding source!
  • Preliminary study plan
  • Supervision plan
  • Research plan. Applicant can also make a free-form research plan. Research plan includes:
    • preliminary research plan
    • schedule for the research
    • possibilities for funding the research work (full-time applicants must have acquired funding for at least 6 months when applying; plans to apply for funding is not sufficient for a full-time status)
    • aim and impact of the research
    • methods and implementation of the scientific plan
    • researcher mobility during and after doctoral studies
    • publication plan
The following documents are required in addition to the above from an applicant with a Master's degree from outside TKK or Aalto University:

  • Copies of degree diplomas and transcript of completed courses certified by the home university or notary, together with a translation of these if the original documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English. Note that regular copies or scanned colored versions are not sufficient!

     Read more...

    Degrees awarded by a higher education institution in Finland

    The copies of study certificates must be certified either by the issuing institution or by two unbiased signatories. The copies must be made of the original, official documents. Copies of copies will not be accepted.  If the certificate has several pages, each page must be certified from the right side of the page. Each page of the copy must carry the signature, name of the signatory/signatories and date. The signatories must see the original document and the copy of it side by side. By signing they certify that the copy is an unaltered copy of the original document.

    Degrees awarded by a higher education institution outside Finland

    The copies of study certificates must be certified by the issuing institution or by a notary public. The copies must be made of the original, official documents. Copies of copies will not be accepted. If the certificate has several pages, each page must be certified from the right side of the page. Each page must be certified separately and indicate clearly the date and the original signature, printed name and stamp of the certifying officer. The mere mention of the official copy (e.g. stamp "True copy") is not enough. Please also see the country-specific requirements.

  • English abstract of Master´s thesis is required
  • A recommendation letter from the supervising professor about the qualification of the applicant for graduate studies (including a statement about the background of the applicant as well as justifications for his/her selection). The supervising professor can submit the recommendation letter to the Doctoral Programme Office by email.
  • Proof of proficiency in Finnish, Swedish or English, if the applicant is not a native speaker or was not schooled in any of these languages. More specific language requirements. If the applicant is working at the department or if the applicant applies for full-time doctoral studies, the supervising professor may write a recommending statement that the applicant has sufficient language skills. If the professor writes a recommending statement, no language test is required.
  • Copy of the holder page of your passport

Submitting applications to the Doctoral Programme

The applications and attachments shall be submitted to Student Services of the Doctoral Programme, check deadlines for applications and other meeting material.

Only complete applications will be processed. Supplementing the application may have an effect on its processing date.

 

  • syyskuuta 12, 2017