Reform of the Doctoral Programme Structure
Last year, the University of Helsinki completed the reform of its doctoral programme structure, resulting in a total of 14 doctoral programmes at the university. However, teaching during the spring will still take place within the old programmes and according to their curricula. Study rights will be transferred to the new programmes on 1 August 2026. The reform has raised questions, for example, about whether doctoral researchers need to take any action. Below are answers to some of these questions. The Doctoral School will publish more detailed instructions, for example on how to change your doctoral programme, during spring 2026.
Do I need to do anything?
You do not need to take any action. A right to complete a doctoral degree granted before 1 August 2026 will continue in the new doctoral programme. Your faculty and target degree will remain unchanged.
What will happen to my studies?
The new curricula will define the required courses. There will be changes to the curricula for the 2026–2030 curriculum period, but the doctoral programmes have planned their curricula to be as flexible as possible and will take your current doctoral studies into account in the new curriculum. The new curriculum period will begin on 1 August 2026. Instructions on how to include previously completed studies in your new study plan will be published later in the Studies Service.
If you have completed all studies required by your current curriculum, it is highly recommended to compile the study modules during the spring and at the latest by 31 July 2026. Compiled study modules are valid for ten years (by semester) and can be used in your degree during that time.
You can read more about compiling study modules on the Studies Service page Registration of doctoral studies.
How will teaching be organised in spring 2026?
Teaching in the spring semester 2026 will be organised according to the confirmed teaching programmes for the academic year 2025–2026. Teaching will be announced through the doctoral programmes’ mailing lists, and you can also search for courses and other teaching in the Courses section of the Studies Service.
What if I want to change my doctoral programme?
During the transition period from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, doctoral researchers who wish to change to another doctoral programme may do so through a simplified application procedure. This process does not allow you to change faculty or target degree, only the doctoral programme. More detailed instructions will be published later in spring 2026.
What if I want to graduate from my current doctoral programme?
You must submit your graduation request by 31 July 2026 at the latest. The graduation request and graduation are the final steps in your studies.
You cannot submit a graduation request in Sisu before your dissertation has been approved and the required study modules for the doctoral degree have been marked as completed in your study plan. You can read more about graduation on the Doctoral diploma and graduation instruction page.
Please note: The degree certificate will state the degree awarded, the awarding faculty, and the doctoral programme. The dissertation title and details of the studies included in the degree will be listed in the transcript of records attached to the certificate.
How will supervision and monitoring be organised?
The reform will not affect supervision arrangements. Every doctoral researcher will continue to have a responsible person, a primary supervisor, possibly additional supervisors, and a thesis committee.
What will happen in Sisu?
Study rights will be updated to the new doctoral programmes in Sisu on 1 August 2026. The new curriculum period will begin on 1 August 2026, after which you must create a new primary study plan.
What about Thessa and other systems?
The use of Thessa will continue as before. The reform of the doctoral programme structure will not affect Thessa. Similarly, mailing lists and other university systems will be updated automatically from 1 August 2026 onwards.