Reforms in doctoral education

There have been several changes in doctoral education this semester. This letter summarises information about these changes, their schedule and where to find further guidance.

Doctoral thesis requirements

The Rector has decided on the new thesis requirements from 26 August 2024.

Article-based thesis

According to new decision article-based dissertations will typically include 2-3 articles; one article may suffice if it is of an exceptionally high quality.

Note! Your faculty may have own specifications to the doctoral thesis requirements. These guidelines are updated by the faculties to reflect the Rector's decision. You can find them on the faculties' thesis requirements web pages as soon as the faculties have made decisions. Links to each faculty's thesis requirements web page are below.

Doctoral researchers will be able to continue their thesis work according to their current research plans, as the scientific criteria for doctoral theses remain unchanged. If the scientific criteria are met, the doctoral candidate may negotiate with his/her supervisors to update his/her research plan in line with this new decision.

Monograph

The maximum recommended length of a monograph is 250 pages including appendices and reference.

Faculties’ thesis criteria:

Studies required for doctoral degree

The Rector has decided on the new degree requirements from 26 August 2024.

The total number of credits required for doctoral degree is reduced by a quarter, from 40 credits to 30 credits. Each doctoral programme has made a proposal to the coordinating faculty on which credits will be reduced. The senior advisors of the doctoral programmes will inform about the new guidelines as soon as the confirmed information is available. The new degree structures will be updated on Sisu and on the degree structure page of the Studies Service by the end of the year.

The plagiarism detection system Ouriginal to be discontinued in early 2025

The plagiarism detection system Ouriginal will be discontinued. The joint forum of Academic Affairs Council on 28 May 2024 concluded that the best solution is to stop using a plagiarism detection system. At this stage, there is no alternative system and from 1 January 2025, theses will no longer go through the plagiarism detection system.

Changes in thesis examination process in future

Decision-Making Authority

Faculties may delegate the authority for granting permission to defend thesis and for approving and grading thesis to the dean.

If the faculty council decides to delegate the authority, deans can use delegated authority as of 1 August 2025.

Grades

The grade “pass with distinction” will be abandoned. The change will enter into force on 1 August 2025 so that all thesis submitted for pre-examination after 1 August will be assessed on scale “pass” – “fail”.

The University of Helsinki is reforming its doctoral programme structure

The University of Helsinki has begun the development process for the doctoral programme structure. Future changes in doctoral programmes will not affect the content of thesis work or supervision relationships. The new doctoral programmes will be open for applications in the spring 2026 call for new study right applications. Doctoral researchers from current programmes will automatically be transferred to the new programmes as an administrative measure.

Read more about the reform in Flamma (requires login)