Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences

Following post graduate degrees can be taken in the Doctoral programme in Health sciences:

• Doctor of Philosophy,
• Doctor of Health Sciences,
• Doctor of Medical Science and Doctor of Odontology,
• Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy).

Eligibility criteria

In compliance with the Universities Act 558/2009, persons who have completed the following shall be eligible for studies leading to an academic postgraduate degree

1) an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a university; or

2) an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences; or

3) an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies.

A person whom the faculty judges to otherwise have sufficient knowledge and skills for the studies can also be admitted to postgraduate studies. For a special reason, postgraduate studies can be started before the student has completed their previous degree.

The faculty may require students admitted to study for a scientific postgraduate degree to complete the necessary supplementary studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills required by the studies.

Applicable degrees for doctoral degrees:

Doctor of Medical Science

Licentiate of Medicine completed in Finland, Master of Science in Medicine completed in EU or EEC, or Master of Science in Medicine completed elsewhere and recognised by Valvira.

Doctor of Odontology

Licentiate of Odontology completed in Finland, Master of Science in Odontology completed in EU or EEC or Master of Science on Odontology completed elsewhere and recognised by Valvira.

Doctor of Philosophy

An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university; or an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies.

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)

Master of Science (Pharmacy) completed in Finland; or an equivalent degree completed in another EU or EEA country, on the basis of which a document indicating formal qualifications has been issued in that country, as referred to in the Union's recognition regulations, which is required in that country for the right to practise as a pharmacist independently; or a degree completed outside the EU or EEA, which has been recognised by an EU or EEA country and has granted the right to practise as a pharmacist or the right to use the title in that country.

Doctor of Health Sciences

An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university; or an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies.

Eligible applicants for the Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences must have either completed or currently ongoing studies in applicable field of science. The applicant should have an ongoing or planned research project suitable for doctoral dissertation with a research plan approved by eligible supervisors and head of the academic subject. Further information about Faculty of Health Sciences' instructions on requirements of a doctoral dissertation can be found in Kamu. 

The skills of eligible applicants to the Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences and their commitment to a successful completion of their doctoral studies are assessed according to the following criteria:

- the innovativeness, scientific and practical importance of the research subject and its suitability to the research profile of the research site and the doctoral programme

- quality, clarity and feasibility of the research plan

- the applicant's evidence of previous research work, e.g. working as a researcher, scientific publications

- research funding

- success in MSc studies or corresponding studies

- the language skills required for the studies

The adequacy of supervision, the expertise and commitment of supervisors are also taken into account in the selection process. At least two supervisors are appointed for postgraduate student. One of whom is the main supervisor and at least one of whom is a university staff member. All supervisors must hold a doctoral degree. The main supervisor must hold, at the minimum, the qualification of a docent or have a corresponding scientific qualification. If the main supervisor is not a university staff member, one supervisor being university staff member must hold, at the minimum, the qualification of a docent or have a corresponding scientific qualification. Applicant's ability, motivation and commitment to doctoral studies can also be assessed through interviews.

Following documents should be attached to the application:

• Research plan, approved by supervisors and the person in charge of the subject
• Copy of the basic university degree certificate and a transcript of earlier academic records. In case applicant’s MSc, or equivalent, degree is not completed the applicant should submit a transcript of academic records and a personal study plan for completing the remaining studies of that degree as well as state the estimated time of master’s graduation in the application form.
• CV, including the list of publications if any
• Funding plan
• Statement by the Main Supervisor on the applicant's ability based on their degree to complete a doctoral degree and the need to undertake any supplementary studies
• Proof of sufficient English proficiency (applies to foreign applicants)

PhD studies are available in eight subjects in the Doctoral programme in Health sciences. The subjects, persons in charge and contact information are presented below.

• Epidemiology: Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen
• Geriatrics: Eija Lönnroos
• Nursing science: Hannele Turunen
• Public health: Jussi Kauhanen
• Sports medicine: Heikki Tikkanen
• Nutrition: Ursula Schwab
• Occupational health: Tuula Oksanen
• General practise: Pekka Mäntyselkä

Study right to doctoral studies in Finland does not include scholarship or funding. 

1. The applicant discusses the possibility to pursue doctoral studies in the department or school with the potential supervisor or with the person in charge of an academic subject. Further information may also be asked from the contact person of the doctoral programme.
2. The applicant discusses the research topic, doctoral studies and their completion, funding, as well as other supervisors with the main supervisor. The prospective doctoral student and the supervisors must negotiate and agree on responsibilities and commitment to supervising the student's research project. 
3. Each applicant must have a minimum of two supervisors. One of whom is the main supervisor and at least one of whom is a university staff member. All supervisors must hold a doctoral degree. The main supervisor must hold, at the minimum, the qualification of a docent or have a corresponding scientific qualification. If the main supervisor is not a university staff member, one supervisor being university staff member must hold, at the minimum, the qualification of a docent or have a corresponding scientific qualification. All supervisors must give their written consent on the research plan.
4. The prospective doctoral researcher draws up a research plan. Please, see further instructions in ‘Research plan’
5. The right to pursue doctoral studies is applied at Studyinfo site. Please note: Partially filled application form cannot be saved. You have to have all the obligatory attachments ready once you start filling the application form. Following documents should be attached to the application: 

• Research plan, which consist of a cover page + four pages (including the list of references). The supervisors must give their written consent on the research plan in the cover page. Please, see the instructions.
• Copy of the basic university degree certificate and a transcript of earlier academic records. In case applicant’s MSc, or equivalent, degree is not completed the applicant should submit a transcript of academic records and a personal study plan for completing the remaining studies in the previous degree as well as state the estimated time of master’s graduation in the application form.
• CV, including the list of publications if any.
• Statement by the Main Supervisor on the applicant's ability based on their degree to complete a doctoral degree and the need to undertake any supplementary studies. Download a template.
• Certificate or proof of English language skills (for foreign applicants)

Processing of the application

- Applications are evaluated and decisions are made within approximately one month after the call ends.

- Faculty requests amendments to the application if needed. All amendments (information/attachments) requested must be submitted within two weeks from the date of the amendment request on the StudyInfo. Incomplete applications will not be processed. The dean decides whether the right to pursue doctoral studies should be granted on the basis of a proposal made by the doctoral programme within approximately three months from submitting the application. When the right to study is granted, the faculty decides on any supplementary studies required, confirms the research topic, appoints the supervisors and approves the research plan. The faculty communicates its decision to the applicant, the supervisors, the Student and Learning Services and the doctoral programme. The applicant must confirm the right to study in the study info site within seven days from the decision being sent. Similarly, negative decisions and their justifications are communicated to the applicant, the supervisors and the doctoral programme. In addition, the applicant is provided with instructions on how to appeal the decision. 

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. The research plan is drafted in English.

The research plan consists of a coverpage with the signatures of supervisors and the head of the academic subject, and a research plan with a maximum length of four pages.

Coverpage: Includes name of the applicant, title of the research plan, information of the supervisors and the head of the academic subject and their signatures. We recommend to use UEF Sign, the electronic signature system.

Research plan: The maximum length of the research plan is four pages including the list of references. The research plan can include the following information, for example:
 

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

1. Background
   • a short summary of the background to the research with necessary sources (including the theoretical and 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
2. Aims
   • the research hypotheses
   • the aims of the research clearly defined and presented
3. 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 materials will be handled and used (also after the research has been completed)
   • a working plan, a plan for different stages of the work
4.  Schedule plan
   • a description and a schedule for the different stages of the work
5. 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)
6. Publication plan
   • the means and mode of publishing and/or presenting the research results
7. Applications of research results
   • an estimation of the applications and the social significance of the research results
8. References
   • a list of the research field’s principal literature used for the research
9. The names of the persons and units participating in the research project

When applying to the doctoral programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences the research plan (1+4 pages) consists of a cover page, which includes signatures of all supervisors and the head of the discipline, and of a research plan which maximum length is four pages. 

Funding plan is a compulsory part of the application. The funding plan is attached to the application form. Funding should be planned with the supervisors. Funding for own salary and for research costs should be described in the funding plan. 

Research funding can be applied from various foundations as grants or from university as paid doctoral research positions. Funding may also be available from established research projects.

More information on different funding options in Kamu.