Doctoral Programme in Languages and Translation Studies - Admission Criteria and Instructions for Applicants

How to Apply

You can apply for the doctoral programme twice a year. 

  • The application periods for the academic year 2026-2027 are
  • 25 August - 8 September, 2026 (right to study from 1 January 2027 and doctoral researcher positions with employment contract)
  • 16 March - 30 March, 2027 (right to study from 1 August 2027)

 You can apply 

  • a  right to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Turku (both application periods)
  • a salaried position as a Doctoral researched (fix-term) (only the autumn application period)

Important information for international applicants:

  • Applicants must supply a copy of the degree certificate (diploma) and also a copy of the previous degree certificate, along with a copy of the transcript of records or other qualifications. If they are not in English, a legalised English traslation is needed. More information about the certificates needed: >Submitting degree certificates and transcriptions of study records
  • There are required knowledge of languages. Please visit: UTUGS pages

Before considering applying for the doctoral programme of languages and translation studies, Utuling, please notice that languages that we cover are: English, Finnish / Finno-Ugric Languages, French, German, Italian, Scandinavian languages, Spanish and Latin / Greek Philology (Classical studies). In addition you may have as your major also Applied Language Studies, Digital Language Studies, General Linguistics or Translation Studies.
   
In Translation studies you should have a language pair that fit our profile (both of your languages should be included).  

Applicants who wish to apply for doctoral studies should contact their future major subject well in advance of the actual application period (at least one month before submitting the application). Contact the major subject by filling out the  ->contact form

NOTE! The staff of the major subjects do not respond to emails; all inquiries must be submitted via the form.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact humpostgraduate@utu.fi

Call for Applications and Link to the Application Form

-> Call for Applications - Autumn 2026

When you apply for the right to study, you find the application form in Opintopolku/Studyinfo

The application form opens on 25 August and closes 8 September 23:59 (Finnish time).

-> Instructions of how to fill in the Application form.

When you apply for the fixed-term salatied doctoral researcher position, you fill in the form in Talentti. The application form opens on 25 August and closes 8 September 23:59 (Finnish time).

 

Check list when applying
  • You need  2 supervisors (and major subject for your degree)
  • You need a statement / evaluation of the professor in charge of doctoral studies in your major. Contact the professor / possible supervisor in your major at least one month before submitting an application. The easiest way to contact your major subject is to fill in this ->form
  • Send to the supervisor/professor in charge of doctoral studies your CV and research plan or abstract of your research plan. Make sure that your research belongs to the research area in the major.
  • Design your 40-60 ECTS, it will be asked in the application form (an extensive plan can be attached as a separate document)
  • Prepare the documents: research plan, letter of motivation, copies of degree certification and transcript of records (and translations if needed). You might need to add language certificates and a copy of a valid passport.
  • Familiarize yourself with the application instructions of the Faculty of Humanities
Majors and professors in charge of doctoral studies

Applied Language Studies 
Professor Marjut Johansson
marjut.johansson(at)utu.fi

and Professor Pekka Lintunen

pekka.lintunen(at)utu.fi

Latin Philology / Greek Philology (Classics)​    
​Professor Jyri Vaahtera
jyri.vaahtera(at)utu.fi

Chinese
Associate Professor Hui Shi
hui.shi(at)utu.fi
 

Digital Language Studies 
Associate Professor Veronika Laippala
mavela(at)utu.fi

English​    
​Professor Matti Peikola
matti.peikola(at)utu.fi

Finnish
Professor Tuomas Huumo
tuomas.huumo(at)utu.fi(at)utu.fi

Finn-Ugric Languages
Professor Jussi Ylikoski
jussi.ylikoski(at)utu.fi

French​
Professor Marjut Johansson
marjut.johansson(at)utu.fi

General Linguistics
Professor Jussi Ylikoski
jussi.ylikoski(at)utu.fi

German​
Professor Leena Kolehmainen
leena.kolehmainen(at)utu.fi
​
Italian
University lecturer Antonio Sciacovelli (antonio.sciacovelli(at)utu.fi)
​
Scandinavian Languages
Professor Camilla Wide
camilla.wide(at)utu.fi
​
Spanish
​Professor Angela Bartens 
angela.bartens(at)utu.fi

Translation Studies 
Professor Kristiina Taivalkoski-Shilov
kristiina.taivalkoski-shilov(at)utu.fi

Doctoral Training at the Faculty of Humanities - How to Apply
Keywords
Doctoral Programme in Languages and Translation Studies (Utuling)