Doctoral Training at the Faculty of Humanities

According to the Decree on University Degrees, the aim of postgraduate studies is that the student

“becomes well-versed in his/her own field of research and its social significance and gains knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research methods independently and critically and to produce new scientific knowledge within his/her field of research; becomes conversant with the development, basic problems and research methods of his/her own field of research; and gains such knowledge of the general theory of science and of other disciplines relating to his/her own field of research as enables him/her to follow developments in them.” (The Government Decree on University Degrees [Valtioneuvoston Asetus yliopistojen tutkinnoista], 794/2004: section 21)

General structure of postgraduate studies

In the Decree on University Degrees from the year 2004, the status of the doctoral degree as the primary postgraduate degree is emphasized. The postgraduate student is admitted to take the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The doctoral degree comprises of 240 ECTS credits, which include the doctoral dissertation worth 200 ECTS credits and other studies worth 40-60 ECTS credits.

It is possible for the student to take the licentiate degree of 150 ECTS credits, which comprises of the licentiate thesis worth 110 ECTS credits and other studies worth 40-60 ECTS credits. If the student continues his or her studies towards a PhD degree, the studies worth 40-60 ECTS will be approved as a part of the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

A doctoral dissertation is a consistent scholarly work on a subject which lies within the Faculty of Humanities’ field of research and can be studied there as a major subject. The dissertation should be based on independent research that makes an original contribution to scientific knowledge.

A doctoral dissertation is either a monograph or a compilation of several separate scholarly articles. The extent of the dissertation required for a doctoral degree is 200 ECTS credits.

Monograph dissertation

A monograph dissertation is a previously unpublished research that is written by the doctoral researcher and is published as a consistent work. The recommended length of a monograph dissertation is approximately 250 pages, appendices not included.

Article-based dissertation

An article-based dissertation is a consistent scholarly work composed of articles.
Article-based dissertation

 must form a coherent whole,

 includes 4 articles, of which

 at least 3 articles must be published or accepted for publication,

 articles must be published or accepted for publication in a refereed publication

 may contain one peer-reviewed review article at most

See also -> The Faculty of Humanities’ Guidelines for an Article-Based Doctoral Dissertation

The general prerequisite for the right to complete postgraduate studies is a Master's degree or an equivalent higher university degree. Applicants must hold an applicable higher university degree or must have completed an applicable education abroad which, in the country in question, qualifies the student for postgraduate studies equivalent to those offered at the University of Turku, or must be able to otherwise demonstrate the knowledge and readiness needed for scientific postgraduate studies. A degree or other form of education will be considered relevant if the work is of a high standard, includes advanced studies (or equivalent), and is in a field that adequately prepares the candidate for conducting the research proposed in the dissertation plan/preliminary research plan.

Applicants must also have sufficient knowledge of the languages needed to conduct their postgraduate studies.

A single Master's degree cannot form the basis for more than one postgraduate degree. Thus, applicants with, for instance, a Master's and a doctoral degree in another field cannot complete a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the Faculty of Humanities without first completing a Master's degree in a relevant humanist discipline.

An accepted applicant has to notify University of Turku of their acceptance of the study'place 

according to the instructions given in the admission notification. If the accepted applicant does not give the notification in the time indicated, they shall forfeit the study place. A person admitted to more than one university or polytechnic degree has to notify only the degree in which he/she accepts the study place. Notification is binding, it is not possible to cancel or change it later.

According to Finnish legislation, student may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (autumn term 1.8.-31.12. or spring term 1.1.-31.7). This rule applies to all higher education. Higher education degrees included in the rule are Bachelor degrees and Master degrees awarded by Finnish universities of applied sciences, Bachelor degrees and Master degrees awarded by Finnish universities and Licentiate and Doctoral degrees awarded by Finnish universities. The only exceptions are Transfer student selections, the Åland Polytechnic and the Police College of Finland.

All information concerning the postgraduate studies from applying to graduation is available in postgraduate study guide (pdf).

After graduation, doctors in the field of humanities typically find themselves doing project work which reflects their education and gradually turns into a permanent position. The most typical work places include universities and various research centres, culture and art organizations, the public sector, and specialist projects of different associations and organizations. Doctors also work in study and research administration. It would seem that an ability to adapt to different tasks and develop your own expertise according to what is needed at the time is something typical for a graduated doctor as well as an ability to see the wider picture and understand change.

Many who have completed a doctoral degree wish to continue their research. Help for funding applications is offered by the Research Funding Unit, the specialists of which are able to give advice on calls organized by the Academy of Finland as well as questions regarding EU initiative calls and also give tips on opportunities one does not always even think of. Research funding specialists can be contacted at: tutkimusrahoitus(at)utu.fi.

Most foundations and trusts require that the applicant has a written commitment from the university. This university commitment, an affiliation agreement, is made between you and your School and it describes the position and responsibilities of the researcher at the university. Those with a university commitment are guaranteed the usual research necessities such as network, mail, printing, library and information services to the extent that is typically available to doctoral candidates and researchers. Office space can normally be given only to funded researchers.

Agreement matters in the School of Language and Translation Studies are handled by Department Coordinator Maija Österlund (maija.osterlund(at)utu.fi) and in the School of History, Culture and Arts Studies by Department Coordinator Katariina Teräs (kamiko(at)utu.fi).
 

Information for post-doctoral researches at the University of Turku can be found ->

https://www.utu.fi/en/research/postdocs