Guidelines for Dissertation Defence

1. To initiate the preliminary examination process, a doctoral researcher delivers their doctoral thesis manuscript according to the instructions of their Faculty.
2. When the statements of the preliminary examiners arrive to the faculty, they are delivered to the doctoral researcher. According to Chapter 44, Section 2 of the Universities Act (2009/558), the doctoral researcher has to have an opportunity to give a written response to the examiners’ statement before the handling of the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation.
3. Depending on the faculty, the doctoral researcher delivers the dissertation manuscript edited during the preliminary examination process or a written account of the changes made to the manuscript according to the preliminary examiners’ statements to the faculty (see the instructions of your faculty).
4. The faculty decides on granting the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation on the basis of the preliminary examiners’ statements. An opponent, Custos and the possible evaluation committee are appointed to the dissertation defence. In some faculties, the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation and/or the appointment of the opponent and Custos have to be applied for with a separate form (see the instructions of your faculty).
5. The doctoral researcher drafts a press release of their dissertation according to the University’s instructions.
6. The doctoral researcher takes care of the publication, possible printing, and release of the dissertation, as well as the distribution of printed copies and arrangements for the dissertation defence.

When the thesis manuscript is ready for pre-examination, it is delivered to the faculty at the same time as the proposal for pre-examiners is made.

The faculty makes the decision on commencing the pre-examination. During the pre-examination process, faculty’s guidelines on the procedures and correspondence with the pre-examiners must be followed.

There are faculty-specific differences in the pre-examination process. There are no instructions that apply to all the faculties, so the doctoral researchers have to check the procedures on the website of the faculty in question. The process described below is an outline of the pre-examination at the University of Turku.

Outline of the pre-examination process

1. Commencing the pre-examination process

• The doctoral researcher delivers the dissertation manuscript to the faculty as well as all appendices required by the faculty.
• Proposal for pre-examiners and possibly already for the Opponent is made. Additionally, the certificate of the Turnitin plagiarism check (if this has not been delivered as part of the proposal), along with any other appendices required by the faculty, is submitted to the faculty.

2. Appointing pre-examiners

• The doctoral/doctoral training committee or another expert body appointed by the faculty ensures that the contents and structure of the manuscript are such that the dissertation is ready for pre-examination and that the pre-examiners are impartial and qualified.
• The dean or faculty council appoints the pre-examiners.

3. Pre-examination (1-2 months depending on the faculty)

• The faculty informs the doctoral researcher about the appointment of the pre-examiners and gives instructions to the pre-examiners.
• According to the faculty's instructions, either the faculty or the doctoral researcher sends the manuscript to the pre-examiners.
• The faculty defines the procedures for communication between the doctoral researcher and the pre-examiners, and for working on the doctoral dissertation during the pre-examination process.

4. Pre-examiners deliver their statements to the faculty.

In order to print, publish, release, and defend a dissertation, a permission for the defence of dissertation is needed from the faculty.

The faculty (the Dean, Vice Dean or Council) gives the permission for the defence of dissertation and appoints the opponent and Custos for the defence. Turku School of Economics, the Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Social Sciences also appoint an evaluation committee/evaluation group.

Permission for the defence of dissertation can be given, when

1. preliminary examination statements in favour of the permissions have arrived
2. studies required for the doctoral degree have been fully completed

The process leading to the permission for the defence of dissertation as well as the pre-examination process have faculty-specific differences. There are no instructions that apply to all the faculties, so the doctoral researchers have to check their faculty’s instructions on the web pages. The process described below is an outline of the preliminary examination in the University of Turku.

The general outline of the process leading to the permission for the defence of dissertation

1. When the statements of the preliminary examiners arrive to the faculty, they are delivered to the doctoral researcher. According to Chapter 44, Section 2 of the Universities Act (2009/558), the doctoral researcher has to have an opportunity to give a written response to the examiners’ statement before the handling of the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation
2. Depending on the faculty, the doctoral researcher delivers the dissertation manuscript edited during the preliminary examination process or a written account of the changes made to the manuscript according to the preliminary examiners’ statements to the faculty (see the instructions of your faculty).
3. The faculty decides on granting the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation on the basis of the preliminary examiners’ statements. An opponent, Custos and the possible evaluation committee are appointed to the dissertation defence. In some faculties, the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation and/or the appointment of the opponent and Custos have to be applied for with a separate form (see the instructions of your faculty).

The doctoral researcher decides how they publish their dissertation. Most often, the dissertation is published both electronically and as a printed version. Usually, the dissertation is published in the University of Turku Annales Universitatis Turkuensis publication series, but the doctoral researcher may also publish their dissertation in some other way.

Online publishing promotes open science and access to scientific information and it is therefore recommended. The dissertation does not have to be printed as a book if the doctoral researcher publishes it electronically. The electronic version of an article-based dissertation does not include the articles. However, the dissertation does not have to be published electronically if the doctoral researcher does not want to do so for a specific reason. In these cases, the dissertation has to be printed.

> Instructions for both forms of publication and for electronic publication only (on the utuguides.fi website)

> Download the Word template of the Annales Universitatis Turkuensis publication series from the utuguides.fi website

Read the Graphic Standards of the University of Turku Annales Universitatis Turkuensis publication series for good advice for e.g. grammatical correctness and typographic notation:
> Graphic Standards of the Annales Universitatis Turkuensis series

Printing

If the dissertation is printed, the doctoral researcher has to take care that, after getting the permission to defend the doctoral dissertation, the printed dissertation is released publicly at least 10 days before the dissertation defence. Doctoral researchers have to contact the printing house well in advance. It is recommended to contact the printing houses and ask about the schedule already before getting the permission to defend the doctoral degree. This is especially advisable when the schedule is tight.

Approximately, 10 weekdays should be reserved for the printing process. If the layout of the content pages is done at the printing house, 21 weekdays should be reserved for the layout and printing process.

The University has tendered the dissertation layout and printing services.

In case the doctoral researcher receives support for dissertation publishing from the University, the tendered supplier must be used for carrying out the (layout and) printing of the dissertation.

On the basis of tendering, the suppliers have been selected in the following order of priority:

1. Painosalama Oy
contact person: Tero Kylä-Junnila, painosalama@painosalama.fi, t. +358 2 241 0105

2. Punamusta Oy
contact person: Timo Peltoniemi, timo.peltoniemi@punamusta.com, t. +358 40 774 1277

3. Grano Oy
contact: utu@grano.fi, t. +358 306 667 306

The doctoral researcher must follow the order of priority when procuring the service by first contacting Painosalama Oy that is ranked first. If the supplier ranked first cannot accept the commission or does not respond to the enquiry, the second supplier on the list must be contacted.

> Guidelines for Printing Doctoral Dissertation (PDF including the information for the request for quotation and order)

The doctoral researcher is responsible for the proofreading of the dissertation and permission to print (approving the manuscript for printing). The doctoral researcher is also responsible for the outward appearance of the printed dissertation. Doctoral researchers have to take care that the dissertation corresponds to the formal requirements of the University and their faculty and that the work includes the abstract both in Finnish and English.

Print run (number of copies)

> The University's guidelines on the minimum printing requirements for and distribution of dissertations from 1 October 2019 onwards (PDF)

NB! No copies will be delivered to UTUShop (The sale of doctoral dissertations at UTUShop has been discontinued as of October 1, 2024).

About the distribution of the dissertation ->  Distribution and release

For more detailed instructions, the faculties should be contacted (contact information below).

Publishing support

The amount of and prerequisites for publishing support for dissertations have changed since 1 October 2019:
> Rector’s decision on publishing support for dissertations from 1 October 2019 onwards (PDF)
> Appendix 1 to the Rector's decision: The University's guidelines on the minimum printing requirements for and distribution of dissertations from 1 October 2019 onwards (PDF)

For the printing of the doctoral dissertation, every doctoral researcher at the University of Turku receives publishing support. The publishing support is paid on the basis of actual and verified costs, however, no more than €600 (+ VAT 24%). In printing, the contract printing houses of the dissertations of the University of Turku must be used. If the doctoral researcher publishes their dissertation in electronic form only, the publishing support can be used for purchasing the layout service solely.

The printing house delivers the electronic invoice directly to the University. The instructions for invoicing are found in the file Guidelines for Printing Doctoral Dissertation (above). For invoicing, the doctoral researcher must state the faculty-specific internal order (cost centre number):

Faculty of Humanities: 26003181
Faculty of Medicine: 26002330
Faculty of Education: 26003160
Faculty of Science: 2606000
Faculty of Law: 26001563
Faculty of Social Sciences: 2603000
Faculty of Technology: 2610000

In Turku School of Economics, the printing house can be chosen freely, and the doctoral researchers are responsible for paying for the invoice themselves. Publication funding for dissertations can be applied from the Turku School of Economics Association (Coordinator of the Doctoral Programme of Turku School of Economics can be contacted for the application), and it is paid after graduation.

> Instructions of Turku School of Economics

Additionally, some foundations and organisations award grants to cover the costs caused by the publication of a dissertation. Further information is available in the Aurora grant database.

Releasing the dissertation means that the doctoral researcher submits their doctoral dissertation to the University. The dissertation must be publicly available 10 days before the public defence (the reading copy).

The doctoral researcher must deliver 2 printed copies of the doctoral thesis or 2 paper copies of the doctoral thesis (in case of dissertations published only as electronically) to the Feeniks library by 12 noon 10 days before the public defence (distribution and number of other copies in detail see below).

In addition, the doctoral researcher submits the electronically published dissertation to the Library Publication Services (julkaisut@utu.fi) as a publication-ready file (pdf) 15 days before the public defence. The dissertation will be published in the publication archive no later than 10 days before the public defence.

The Dean can grant continuation to the release on the continuation has to be delivered by the deadline (10 or 15 days before the defence) to the Library Publication Services (julkaisut@utu.fi).

> The University's guidelines on the minimum printing requirements for and distribution of dissertations from 1 October 2019 onwards (PDF)
Dissertations are distributed according to the PDF guidelines with the following additional instructions:

• 2 copies of a printed dissertation (or if the dissertation is only published electronically: a stapled paper copy with a paperboard or a transparent plastic cover) are delivered to the Info desk of the Feeniks Library. The library is located at the University Hill (previously known as the Main Library). Alternatively, the copies can be mailed to address: "Feeniks Library, 20014 UNIVERSITY OF TURKU". Library copies must contain the loose leaf.
  The dissertation must be delivered to the University 10 days before the dissertation defence.
  Similarly, the publicly available copies (20 pcs) of those dissertations which are not published electronically at all are delivered to the same Info desk. This applies to the dissertations of all other faculties than the Turku School of Economics.
• Rector 1 copy:
  1 copy is sent to the Rector by mail. The address: "Rector Marjo Kaartinen, 20014 University of Turku"
• No copies will be delivered to UTUShop (The sale of doctoral dissertations at UTUShop has been discontinued as of October 1, 2024)
• At some units, the doctoral researcher has to deliver the dissertation to some other parties as well. The Custos can be contacted for more information.
• For more detailed instructions, the faculties should be contacted (contact information below).

Write a popularised summary of your dissertation

Please draft a popularised summary of your dissertation and send it to the University Communications in connection to the announcement of the public defence of a doctoral dissertation. The purpose of the popularised summary is to introduce the contents of you dissertation to the general public. Write the summary before you fill in the announcement of the public defence of a doctoral dissertation. The summary will be added to the University’s events calendar with the dissertation defence information and it will be used when information about the defence is shared in the University's channels. 

Answer the following questions in your text: 

• What are the key findings of your dissertation research? 
• What kind of new information has your research revealed? 
• What is the impact of your research on the surrounding world? 

Tips for writing the text: 

• Please write the text so that it is easy to understand, use standard language, and try to avoid scientific terminology 
• Write clear sentences and short paragraphs. 
• Imagine you are writing to a friend who is not familiar with the topic. 
• If you use the abstract of your dissertation as the base, please note that it is not suitable as such but needs to be popularised to make the contents understandable to those unfamiliar with the topic as well.

The text should be a maximum of 2,000 characters long. You can write it in English or Finnish. 

> See the summaries others have written of their dissertations

Make an announcement of the public defence of a doctoral dissertation 

The faculty gives you the permission for the dissertation defence and appoints the opponent and Custos. Please make the announcement of the public defence of a doctoral dissertation once you have received the permission and know the date of your defence.

> Make an announcement of the public defence of a doctoral dissertation

University Communications communicates your public defence 

The University Communications will add the dissertation defence information and the popularised summary text in the University’s events calendar based on the announcement you have made. The University Communications will share the information concerning your public defence on the University’s Twitter account and the social media channels of your faculty. Therefore, we request that you send your portrait to the University Communications: communications@utu.fi (high resolution photo, minimum of 2,000px on the longer side). Please send the photo during the week before your defence at the latest.  

The University Communications may compile a broader press release on some of the dissertations together with the doctoral researchers. In these cases, the University contacts the doctoral researcher and asks them to prepare a press release draft (see instructions on the Intranet). You can also suggest a press release on your doctoral dissertation by contacting the University Communications: communications@utu.fi. 

Please share information about your doctoral dissertation defence also in your own networks. 

Any questions about communications?

communications@utu.fi

The doctoral researcher takes care of organizing the dissertation defence and possible festivities afterwards (a coffee service after the defence, the traditional post-doctoral party). The day of the defence is agreed on well beforehand so that the schedule is viable for the doctoral researcher, the Opponent, the Custos, and the possible review committee. However, note that the schedule can only be fixed once the pre-examination process is complete and the permission for the dissertation defence has been granted.

> Practical arrangements for the dissertation defence
 

Dress code

These guidelines are for the Doctoral Researcher, Opponent and Custos, who follow the rules of a dignified dress code that is appropriate for the event. The guidelines are traditional and do not have to be followed to the letter. In principle, the university does not reimburse the cost of dressing for the dissertation defence, but foreign opponents may be reimbursed for the cost of dressing, if necessary, by decision of the unit. Possible tax considerations must be taken into account.

Attire in public defence:

A black tailcoat, a black vest, a white shirt with a stiff front and collar. A white bow tie is always worn with a tailcoat. Dress shoes and black socks are always worn with a black vest, no pocket square or wristwatch. A white vest and patent-leather shoes are worn at dinner and in the evening. A pocket square is also worn with the white vest, unless there are decorations. Outer garments consist of a black coat or cloak and a white scarf and white gloves.

A black full-length dress with long sleeves or an elegant black or dark dress (the neckline of the dress should not be open) or a light jacket suit or a trouser suit, light court shoes (pumps) and, for example, stockings that match the shoes.

A black, dark grey, or dark blue suit with a single or double-breasted jacket. The material can have faint stripes and the suit can include a vest of the same fabric or in similar colours. A white shirt and a restrained colour tie or bow tie that matches the suit (but not white), dark socks and dress shoes.

The opponent/custos may wear a doctoral gown of their university and foreign opponents may wear their academic uniforms.

There is no special dress code for the audience.

How the defence of a doctoral dissertation proceeds

Beginning of the event

The first one to enter the hall is the doctoral researcher, the second the Custos and the last the opponent.

If the Custos and the opponent have a doctoral degree from a Finnish university, they hold their doctoral hat in their hands when entering the hall.

When everyone is in place, the Custos opens the proceedings with the words: “As the Custos appointed by the Faculty of …, I declare the beginning of this public defence of a doctoral dissertation.” After the opening the doctoral researcher gives their lectio praecursoria.

Lectio praecursoria

The doctoral dissertation defense is a public event, open to the audience, and the speech or lecture held at the beginning of the dissertation ceremony, known as the lectio praecursoria, is aimed at a broad audience. The doctoral researcher delivers the lectio praecursoria standing and in the Finnish language. If the doctoral researcher doesn't speak Finnish, they may deliver the lecture in English. The lectio praecursoria should last no longer than 20 minutes. A translation is provided for opponent(s) when needed.

A good lectio praecursoria is clear and understandable even to those who are not familiar with the doctoral dissertation. The doctoral researcher discusses their research and its findings and often also highlights the societal significance of the dissertation research and its connections to current or practical issues. The lectio praecursoria provides the doctoral researcher with an opportunity to engage the audience with the dissertation topic.

During the lectio praecursoria, the focus is on the background and the most significant and interesting findings of the dissertation research. There is no need to go into detail about theoretical concepts or research methods. These will be discussed under the guidance of the opponent after the lectio praecursoria.

Usually, the lectio praecursoria is read directly from a paper, but it is speech-like in nature. Therefore, it's advisable to practice the presentation in advance and modify the text to suit one's own speaking style and pace. Practicing audience engagement and eye contact is also recommended. While slides or images can be incorporated into the lecture to illustrate the topic, it's not necessary, as the lectio should be understandable on its own. It's advisable to discuss the presentation and its content in advance with the custos, as different faculties and majors may have their own guidelines or traditions.

The doctoral researcher begins with the greetings: “Learned custos, my esteemed opponent, honorable members of the audience…”

After the lectio praecursoria, the doctoral researcher states: “I respectfully ask you, esteemed Professor (Doctor, etc.) … as the opponent appointed by the Faculty of … for the public defense of my doctoral dissertation, to present your criticisms of my doctoral dissertation.”

After this the opponent, stands up and delivers a short statement concerning the scientific status and significance of the topic and other general questions. After this statement, both the doctoral researcher and the opponent resume their seats.

Examination of the dissertation

The opponent should begin the examination of the dissertation by handling methodological and general questions and then proceed to a detailed scrutiny of the text.

The opponent may not spend more than four hours on the examination of the dissertation, so that enough time remains for other speakers to present questions or criticisms. If the examination takes a long time, the Custos may announce a break. The total duration of the public defence may not exceed six hours.

The correction of misprints is not part of the proceedings at the public defence. The doctoral researcher may submit to the opponent a written list of errors which they have found, and this list may be appended to the opponent's statement submitted to the Faculty.

Conclusion of the public defence

When the opponent has concluded the examination of the dissertation, the opponent and the doctoral researcher stand, and the opponent delivers a final statement. At the end of the final statement, the opponent will state whether they will propose for the faculty, the dissertation to be approved.

The doctoral researcher, still standing, then thanks the opponent.

Next, the doctoral researcher turns to the audience and invites their contributions as follows:
"I now respectfully invite any members of the honoured audience who wish to offer criticisms of my dissertation to request the Custos for a permission to speak."

The Custos may then grant permission for members of the audience to speak and is responsible for ensuring that the doctoral researcher is able to reply immediately to the offered criticism and that the discussion does not stray from the matter at hand.

Finally, the Custos stands up and terminates the proceedings as follows:
"This public defence of the doctoral dissertation is now concluded."

The event may be followed by a coffee/toast in the front of the lecture hall organised by the doctoral researcher.

The post-doctoral party "karonkka" which takes place the same evening after the dissertation, is a voluntary private event outside the university and an old academic tradition. The Finnish name for the party, “karonkka”, comes from the Russian word “korona” (diminutive form “koronka”) meaning crown, i.e. the post-doctoral party crowns the long dissertation process.
The doctoral researcher organises the party in the honour of the Opponent.

Post-doctoral party in short

The post-doctoral party is a festive event, usually held as a private function in a restaurant, but it can also be held in another venue or at home. The doctoral researcher pays for the party and selects the location. The party normally starts between 6 and 8pm.

The doctoral researcher decides how large a party they want to organise, but it should be discussed beforehand with the guest of honour. One possibility is to organise only a small dinner for the key persons at the beginning of the evening and a second celebration for family and friends. Many also throw the party in two parts: first a dinner for the key persons and a more informal after-party for a wider group of people.

The doctoral researcher has to make sure that the Opponent is picked up for the party. Often, the Custos picks the Opponent up from a hotel.

At the post-doctoral dinner party, it is customary to serve a starter, a main course, dessert, and coffee or tea. In addition to alcoholic beverages, make sure there are non-alcoholic drinks available as well. It is recommended that the course of the evening is discussed with the restaurant, preferably in writing, so that the personnel is aware of the different stages.

Invitations to the post-doctoral party

Whether or not the dissertation passes is finally discovered at the end of the public defence when the Opponent announces that they will propose to the faculty that the dissertation is approved. Therefore, it used to be customary to hand out invitations to the post-doctoral party only after the public dissertation defence had ended. Nowadays, however, the doctoral researcher sends the invitations beforehand. Nevertheless, it is good manners for the doctoral researcher to ask the Opponent before the defence whether they can start the preparations for the post-doctoral party.

Everyone can frame the invitation in their own way but it is recommended that it is mentioned that the event is held in honour of the Opponent and include the dress code. The traditional dress code is described below. Remember to also express whether the guests are allowed to bring a partner. Traditionally, post-doctoral parties do not include plus ones. The Opponent must be able to understand the invitation, so if they do not speak Finnish, the invitation can be both in Finnish and English or only in English.

The Opponent is the guest of honour at the post-doctoral party. Only the key academic people were invited to the traditional post-doctoral party: Opponent(s), Custos, preliminary examiners, supervisors and other people who supported the dissertation research. With article-based dissertation, also the co-authors were invited to the party. Today, a larger group of people can be invited to the post-doctoral party. However, it is good to keep in mind that the post-doctoral party is not a family occasion.
According to tradition, the “additional opponents”, i.e. people who ask questions or make comments at the end of the dissertation defence, are also invited to the party. According to the same unwritten law, they politely refuse the invitation.

>> Invitation templates of University of Turku

Dress code

The dress code to the post-doctoral party is evening dress: a white tie or business suit or an evening gown. A white vest is worn with the tailcoat, but, if there are participants wearing only tailcoats, they can traditionally agree to wear a black vest. Black is the traditional colour for academic celebration attire.

The doctoral researcher decides on the dress code of the post-doctoral party after consultation with the Custos. It is therefore advisable to indicate in the post-doctoral party invitation what kind of dress code will be followed at the event.

Bringing doctoral hats to the post-doctoral party can be agreed upon with the Custos and Opponent. According to academic tradition, a separate table should be reserved for the doctoral hats. Other guests should also be informed beforehand whether or not they should bring doctoral hats to the party.

Seating order

The doctoral researcher hosts the party and the Opponent as the guest of honour sits on the doctoral researcher’s right side which is the most prestigious seat. If there are two Opponents, they are placed on either side of the doctoral researcher. Next in the seating order is the Custos who is placed on the left side of the doctoral researcher. When there are two Opponents, the Custos sits next to the Opponent on the left side. The rest of the guests are seated after the Custos and the members of academia are placed in an order of rank. If the doctoral researcher's partner is invited, they can be seated next to the Opponent. Plenty of information on parties’ seating order is available online.

Drafting a seating order and place cards for everyone makes it easier for the guests to find their seats.

Programme at the post-doctoral party

In addition to the dinner, post-doctoral parties include several speeches. The speeches should be rather short and not read from a paper.

At the beginning of the event and before the dinner, the doctoral researcher welcomes the guests with a short speech such as a toast.

Traditionally, speeches are given after the main course, but nowadays all the speeches are often held after the dessert. The doctoral researcher starts the actual speeches. First, the doctoral researcher thanks the Opponent, then the Custos, and after that all the persons who have helped and supported the dissertation research, roughly in the academic order. Relatives and other close persons are thanked last and, traditionally, only the partner is named. The speech progresses in the order of academic importance to the dissertation research, not personal closeness.

Speeches given in reply are held in the same order as the people are mentioned in the doctoral researcher’s speech. The Opponent starts, next is the Custos, and then the other attendees. Speeches can contain tasteful humour, i.e. they do not have to be too solemn. The Custos can also express general thanks for the dinner on behalf of all the guests. Time is usually reserved at the end for additional speeches and this is when those who were not mentioned in the doctoral researcher’s speech can say a few words. Relatives do not traditionally give a speech at the post-doctoral party.

In addition, other programme, such as music, can be planned towards the end of the party.

Additional things to consider

The doctoral researcher should thank all who have congratulated them with flowers or a gift. Thanks can be expressed with a traditional or an electronic thank-you card.
Futhermore, an old tradition is to send flowers to the Opponent’s partner as a thank you for the time that was spent examining the dissertation and preparing for the defence which otherwise would have been spent with family. Many units have given up this practice and therefore you should check with the Custos whether this tradition is still followed.

Approving the dissertation

After the dissertation defence, the dissertation is approved and the doctoral degree is granted by the faculty. The opponent(s) writes a statement on the dissertation and delivers it to the faculty according to its instructions. In the statement, the opponent proposes either a fail or a pass for the dissertation. In some faculties, the opponent can also make a suggestion for the grade. In other faculties, the suggestion on the grade is made by an evaluation committee. The doctoral researcher's defence in the dissertation defence is also taken into consideration in the assessment.

The faculty delivers a copy of the statement to the doctoral researcher and in some faculties also to the supervisor. According to Chapter 44, Section 2 of the Universities Act (2009/558), the doctoral researcher has to have an opportunity to give a written response to the opponent’s statement. The possible response has to be delivered to the faculty within the time frame stated in the faculty’s instructions.

The faculty council or dean decides on the approval of the dissertation as well as on its grade.

The dissertation is evaluated with different grades in different faculties:

•     Faculty of Humanities: Fail - Pass - Pass with Distinction
•     Faculty of Education:  Fail - Pass- Approved with honours.
•     Faculty of Medicine: Fail - Pass - Pass with Distinction
•     Faculty of Science: Fail - Accepted - Accepted with honours
•     Faculty of Law: Fail - Pass
•     Turku School of Economics: Fail - Pass with a grade approbatur – laudatur
•     Faculty of Social Sciences: Fail - Pass with a grade approbatur – laudatur
•     Faculty of Technology: Fail - Accepted - Accepted with honours

Degree certificate

Once the faculty has approved the dissertation, the degree is completed and the degree certificate is drafted according to the approval date of the dissertation without a separate application. It might take a few weeks to receive the certificate. The doctoral degree certificate is provided in two copies, one in Finnish and the other in English. In addition, the certificate includes a Diploma Supplement which is an appendix to the degree certificate and meant for international use. The Diploma Supplement gives more information about the University, the studies and study attainments included in the certificate, and expertise provided by the degree as well as about the level and position of the degree in the international education system.

Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees

All those who have completed the doctoral training receive the doctoral degree. The right use the symbols of a doctoral degree, the hat and the sword, is traditionally granted in the Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees. However, nowadays it is possible to buy the doctoral hat right after graduation. The Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees is organised approximately every second year.

> More information on the ceremonial conferment tradition

Alumni

The alumni of the University of Turku include all the graduates, students and employees of the University of Turku and Turku School of Economics. Participating in the alumni activities is voluntary and you can decide what kind of activities best suit you.

By registering as an alumni, you receive information of different alumni activities and the University’s latest news. Registration and membership are free-of-charge.

> More information on alumni activities

UTUGS aims to promote opportunities for researchers to develop their skills and expertise also after graduation. You can supplement your knowledge during the same academic year and the two following academic years after the graduation of your scientific postgraduate degree by registering as a supplementary student. The right to supplementary studies applies to graduates from 1 August 2024 onwards.

As supplementary studies, you can take for example courses offered by UTUGS on transferable skills, provided there are places available.

>> See the instructions and registration form