Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science - Admission Criteria and Instructions for Applicants

What is expected of you

When applying for a right to study:

• You are required to have completed a relevant Master’s degree awarded by a university or a university of applied sciences, or a relevant study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for the corresponding level of higher education (Universities Act 558/2009, 37§).
• You must fulfil the University of Turku language skill requirements.
• You are required to fulfil the prerequisites set by the Faculty of Medicine and the doctoral programme in Nursing Science for granting a right to study
  • The eligibility criteria and other general guidelines can be found on the web page of the Faculty of Medicine.
  • The grade received for the major subject of the Master's degree should be at least "good" (3 on a scale of 1–5). If the final grade of the major subject is not identifiable (e.g. international degrees), study achievements must be proved by other means. See also the  study guide of the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science, prerequisites (click “show description”).

When applying for a doctoral researcher position 

• You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Medicine, Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science. In addition, when acquiring the degree or otherwise, you are required to have demonstrated the ability to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan.  (University of Turku Rules of Procedure 13.12.2024).
• or if you have not yet been granted right to pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science in this call via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service (see the instructions under “How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree”). The right to pursue a doctoral degree is a prerequisite for being selected for a position of a doctoral researcher;
• You are planning to pursue or pursuing your first doctoral degree;
• You have not previously received four years of full‑time funding for doctoral studies.
• The doctoral researcher position requires working in Turku, Finland. 

Please read carefully the general application instructions of the Faculty of Medicine

How to Apply for Doctoral Training at the Faculty of Medicine | University of Turku (utu.fi)

Especially pay attention to these instructions when applying: Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine

Consent of the head of the doctoral programme

Before applying for the right to study for doctoral or licentiate degree the applicants shall contact the Director of DPNurs, Professor Riitta Suhonen (email riitta.suhonen@utu.fi) as early as possible to confirm that the applicant’s research theme ties in with the Department´s research areas (initial contact preferably by e-mail). Please attach a tentative research plan and a CV to the email. In addition, for doctoral degree, it is advisable to contact the head of the research programme at the Department of Nursing Science that work in the field of your research interest.

The supervisor

As a rule, a doctoral researcher must have two to three supervisors. For a valid reason and upon application, approval may be granted for appointing only one supervisor. It is the applicant’s responsibility to find a supervisor or supervisors, and agree on supervision before submitting the application. Please read carefully the current qualification requirements for supervisors on the Faculty of Medicine's instructions webpage.

The follow-up committee for doctoral training 

• More information and current requirements are available at the Faculty of Medicine's instructions webpage.

In the spring and autumn you can apply for the right to study. 

Salaried positions can only be applied for during the autumn application period.

In addition, one can apply for the right to complete a licentiate degree. The right to study for a licentiate degree can be applied for by persons, who meet the eligibility criteria defined in the University Act (558/2009, § 37) for completing a scientific postgraduate degree. The selection criteria for the evaluation of the right to study for a doctoral degree are applied as evaluation and selection criteria for a licentiate degree, where applicable. The licentiate's degree includes a licentiate thesis, in which the postgraduate student demonstrates good understanding with his/her field of research and preparedness to independently and critically apply the methods of scientific research.

During the application period 25 August – 8 September 2026, you can apply for:

a) The right to pursue a doctoral degree in the University of Turku Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science at the Faculty of Medicine from 1 January 2027 onwards.

b) A fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract

A doctoral researcher position begins on 1 January 2027 or by agreement during the year 2027.

When determining the length of the employment, previously awarded funding for doctoral studies as well as the planned schedule and stage of the doctoral degree will be taken into account. The duration of a UTUGS‑funded fixed‑term doctoral researcher position is at most four years, but not beyond 31 December 2030. The basis for the fixed-term employment is doctoral researcher's work related to their doctoral studies. In the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science, it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation. A subproject refers to a clearly defined, limited research task that can be completed during the employment period and that produces a concrete outcome (e.g. an article, a chapter, or an analysis). When applying for a position to carry out a subproject, the content and implementation of the subproject must be described in the application form. All applicants must also present in their application a plan for completing the doctoral degree.

A person who already holds a doctoral degree cannot be selected to a doctoral researcher position. The doctoral researcher position requires working in Finland and the place of work is Turku.

The position is intended for full‑time doctoral research and doctoral studies. Participation in teaching and other duties should be arranged so that the dissertation can be completed within the planned timetable. The employment contract is based on a total annual working time of 1,612 hours, which gives the doctoral researcher flexibility to arrange working hours. As a rule, teaching and other duties may account for up to 5% of the annual working time (approximately up to 80 hours per academic year).

Salary is based on the salary system of the University’s teaching and research staff. Salary will consist of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component. The task-specific salary component of a doctoral researcher varies between levels 2 to 4, depending on the stage of the doctoral degree. In addition, a personal performance salary component is paid. The salary of a doctoral researcher ranges roughly from € 2,400 to € 3,300 depending on progress of the doctoral research and the experience and skills of the person concerned. The level of task-specific salary component of a new doctoral researcher is generally assessed as level 2. The probationary period is six months, however not more than half of the employment period.

c) Both of the above (a and b)

d) The right to complete a licentiate degree, see more information 

Applications for the right to pursue a doctoral degree are submitted via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service and applications for fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract are submitted via the University of Turku recruitment system (Talentti) by completing an electronic application form and submitting the required attachments.

Note that if you apply for both the right to pursue a doctoral degree and a doctoral researcher position with an employment contract, you must submit applications with the required attachments in both systems (see details below).

The required attachments are listed and described below.

Links to the application forms will be published on the University of Turku Graduate School web pages.

How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree 

Apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree by filling the electronic Studyinfo form and submitting the required attachments (see Appendix 1). The Studyinfo form opens at the begin of the application period on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland). A link to the Graduate School web pages where the links to the application forms will be published.

In this application round, you may apply for admission to up to two doctoral programmes at the University of Turku. You may only have one valid doctoral degree study right at the University of Turku at a time.

Late applications will not be considered. The chosen study programme (doctoral programme) cannot be changed and the application cannot be amended after the application period has ended.

The Studyinfo service is used solely to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree; if you also wish to apply for a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position, you must submit a separate application for that position (see the instructions under “How to apply for a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract”). 

Attachments to the right to pursue a doctoral degree application:

Please ensure that all attachments are high-quality, easy-to-read, full-colour scans or photographs of the entire required document. Attachments must be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. Name each attachment so that the file name clearly indicates both your name and the document type (for example: surname-firstname-CV).

All application documents are recommended to be written in English.

1) Degree certificate and transcript of study records

Attach to the electronic application form:

• the scanned or electronic original certificate of the higher university degree (e.g. Master’s degree),
• the scanned or electronic original transcript of study records of the higher university degree,
• other study certificates relevant to the selection criteria (for example, studies completed outside the degree that relate to the doctoral degree you are applying for).

If the documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, you must also submit an official translation into one of those languages; an official translation is accepted if issued by the degree‑awarding university or produced by an authorised translator. A Diploma Supplement (DS) issued by a European higher education institution may be accepted instead of an English translation of the degree certificate and transcript, provided it contains the details of the study records.

2) Certificate of language proficiency

The University of Turku follows the Rector’s decision (8.6.2026) that defines acceptable ways of verifying language proficiency. You should read the University of Turku’s guidance on language proficiency carefully: Link to the webpage on language requirements.

As an attachment to your application, you must include a scanned certificate of a language test approved by the University of Turku, unless the guidance states otherwise.

3) Research plan (research plan instructions)

When preparing the research plan, you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to TENK’s guidelines on good scientific practice). The research plan may be checked with the Turnitin OriginalityCheck plagiarism‑detection system. Any use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an aid in preparing the research plan must be clearly declared in the application.

4) Copy of valid passport

Attach a copy of your valid passport or official identification card with photo and information on citizenship.

If you have a Finnish personal identity code and you have entered it on the application form, you do not need to attach a copy of your passport.

5) Progress and resource plan (instructions)

6) Curriculum Vitae of the applicant (Please see the instructions of Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) for writing a CV)

7) List of publications of the applicant (following the instructions of the Academy of Finland)

8) Supervision and study plan (fill in electronically, print and sign together with the supervisor/-s and the head of subject)

9) if only one supervisor for doctoral training is proposed, the supervisor’s justified plea for approval of only one supervisor must be attached to the application.

See Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine > Supervision

How to apply for a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract

Doctoral researcher positions are applied for by completing the electronic application form in the University of Turku recruitment system (Talentti) and submitting the required attachments (see Appendix 2). The recruitment form opens at the begin of the application period on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland).

Doctoral researcher positions will be advertised in the University of Turku’s Open Positions and on the Graduate School web pages at the beginning of the application period.

Applicants must submit all required attachments by the application deadline; late applications will not be processed and the chosen doctoral programme cannot be changed nor can the application be amended after the deadline.

Selection to a doctoral researcher position requires an active right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science; if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in Studyinfo (see “How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree”). 

Attachments to the a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position application:

Fill in the electronic application form. The attachments listed below must be submitted as part of the Talentti system’s electronic application form unless otherwise instructed. Ensure that all attachments are high‑quality, easy‑to‑read, full-colour scans or photographs of the entire required document. Attachments should be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. Name each file so that the filename clearly shows both your name and the document type (for example: surname-firstname-CV).

All application documents are recommended to be written in English. 

a) Curriculum Vitae of the applicant (Please see the instructions of Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) for writing a CV)

b) Research plan (research plan instructions)

When preparing the research plan you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to TENK’s guidelines on good scientific practice). The research plan may be checked with the Turnitin OriginalityCheck plagiarism‑detection system. Any use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an aid in preparing the research plan must be clearly declared in the application.

The research plan must be up to date.

c) Degree certificate and transcript of study records

Attach to the electronic application form:

• the scanned or electronic original certificate of the higher university degree (e.g. Master’s degree),
• the scanned or electronic original transcript of study records of the higher university degree

If the documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, you must also submit an official translation into one of those languages; an official translation is accepted if issued by the degree‑awarding university or produced by an authorised translator. A Diploma Supplement (DS) issued by a European higher education institution may be accepted instead of an English translation of the degree certificate and transcript, provided it contains the details of the study records.

d) Progress and resource plan (instructions)

e) List of publications of the applicant (following the instructions of the Academy of Finland)

How to apply for the right to complete a licentiate degree?

The right to complete a licentiate degree can be applied for by completing an electronic form, including the required attachments, in Webropol during the application period (starting 25 August 2026 and closing at 23:59, local time in Finland, on 8 September 2026). Required attachments are: Research plan (max 5 pages), Progress and resource plan, Curriculum Vitae, List of publications, Supervision and study plan (fill in electronically the faculty’s form, print and sign together with the supervisor/-s and the head of subject) and Degree certificates and Transcripts of study records. The detailed instructions for the attachments are the same as when applying for the right to study for a doctoral degree (see above for further information). The Vice Dean of Research Affairs of the Faculty decides on granting the right to complete a licentiate degree. The applicant will be notified of the decision personally.

Applicant’s research topic must fit the profile of the doctoral programme. The doctoral programme’s steering group will evaluate applications after the deadline and may use external experts as necessary. Applicants may be invited to an interview by the DPNurs Steering Committee. Research plans submitted with applications may be checked with Turnitin OriginalityCheck for plagiarism in accordance with the University’s quality system; the use of artificial intelligence and how it was used in preparing the research plan may also be assessed. 

Criteria for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree

Granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree requires that the applicant:

• meets the eligibility criteria determined in the Universities Act (558/2009, Section 37); More information is provided under “Requirements for applicants”.
• meets the University of Turku language proficiency requirements;
• fulfils the requirements set by the Faculty of Medicine and Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree

In the selection process the following issues are emphasized: quality, feasibility and social relevance of the research plan. In addition, the applicant’s merits, completed studies, capability, and motivation to complete a doctoral degree are evaluated.

Please see Evaluation criteria for applications to DPNurs (pdf)

DPNurs tohtoriohjelman hakemusten arviointikriteerit (pdf)

When admitting the right to study for an academic postgraduate degree, the eligibility criteria of the applicant and the selection criteria of the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science are considered in addition to the above-mentioned criteria.

A prerequisite for admission is that there are two to three persons who have agreed to act as supervisors and who fulfill the qualification requirements for supervisors. Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine | University of Turku (utu.fi)

The Dean or Vice Dean responsible for doctoral education in the faculty ddecides on the granting of the right to pursue a doctoral degree on the basis of the doctoral programme steering group’s proposal. All applicants will be notified of the decisions personally by 30 November 2026. 

An admitted applicant must confirm acceptance of the study place in accordance with the instructions given in the decision by 15 December 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland). If the admitted applicant does not give the notification by the end of the allotted time period mentioned above, the applicant forfeits the study place.

A person admitted to more than one university or polytechnic degree programme only notifies the one educational institution at which they choose to accept the study place. Notification, i.e. accepting a study place, is binding and may not be cancelled or changed later. According to Finnish university legislation, an applicant may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (autumn term 1 Aug – 31 Dec or spring term 1 Jan – 31 Jul). This rule applies to all higher education, i.e. Bachelor’s and Master’s level degrees awarded by Finnish universities of applied sciences, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees awarded by Finnish universities, and Licentiate and Doctoral degrees awarded by Finnish universities. This regulation is not applied to study rights received in transfer student selections, from the Åland University of Applied Sciences, from the Police University College, and from institutions of higher education outside Finland.

Applicants who have completed their prior degree in a country other than Finland and who are granted a right to pursue a doctoral degree in this call, need to deliver either the original degree certificates or certified copies of the original degree certificates and their translations to the University of Turku, as instructed in the admission notification, on 8 March 2027 at the latest. If the admitted applicant does not deliver the required certificates by the deadline, they forfeit the study right. A link to the the instructions on delivering certificates and country-specific requirements.

Decisions on the fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract

The decision on appointment to a doctoral researcher position is made by the head of the relevant department or unit on the basis of the doctoral programme steering group’s proposal. All applicants will be notified of the programme’s decision personally and the names of the persons offered positions will be published on the doctoral programme web pages; selected applicants must confirm acceptance of the position in accordance with the instructions in the decision.

Appeal for rectification

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the result of the student selection (the right to pursue a doctoral degree), he/she has the right to submit an application for the rectification of the decision to the Faculty of Medicine within 14 days of the official publishing of the results. Contact information: med-doctoral@utu.fi.

• Check the application period.
• Read the instructions of the Faculty and the Doctoral Programme carefully.
• If you are going to verify your language skills with a language test, make sure that you book your test time well in advance. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make their own language test arrangements.
• Get the required signatures in time and prepare the required attachments.
• Fill in the electric application form or forms.
• Remember to apply in time. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be processed.
• Please keep your original degree certificates and other relevant educational documents at hand during the application process. 

DPNurs Director
Professor Riitta Suhonen
riitta.suhonen@utu.fi   

DPNurs Coordinator
PhD Hanna Heikelä
hanna.heikela@utu.fi or dpnurs@utu.fi | +358 50 5673972