Instructions related to the reform of the doctoral programme structure (1.1.2026)

Starting from August 1, 2026, the study rights of all doctoral students at the University of Helsinki continue in the University's new doctoral programmes. If you started your doctoral studies before August 2026, you must create an entirely new study plan in Sisu at the beginning of the autumn term, following the degree structure of your new doctoral programme.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Structure of studies tab in Sisu.
2. Create a new study plan (select your new doctoral programme as education).
3. Add your completed studies to the new study plan one course at a time: open the course brochure for the course, then go to the “Equivalences and substitutions” tab. Select the equivalent course that you completed under the code of your previous doctoral programme.
4. If you have completed studies under a previous degree structure that you are unable to add to your study plan through the "Equivalences and substitutions" tab, you can edit your study plan in the free edit mode. Please note that any changes made in the free edit mode must always be submitted for approval at the end.
5. If there are courses in the new degree structure that you have not yet completed, add these courses to your study plan as needed.

Changes to registration in Sisu

Starting from August 1, there will also be slight changes to Sisu registration practices: it’s no longer possible to register for courses via Sisu's search function. Instead, registration must always be initiated from your own study plan.

• The easiest way to find teaching is through the course search in the Studies Service. You can still search for courses in Sisu, but you cannot register via the search results.
• Registration will always be initiated in Sisu through your own study plan.
• When you find a course you want to register for, first add the course to your study plan in Sisu and then select the completion method. Finally, confirm your registration on the Registration page.

Need help?

If you encounter any problems, the answer to most questions can be found in the Sisu user instructions:

• Creating a new study plan (for instructions on adding previously completed studies to a new study plan, see the section “The course brochure”)
• Applications in Sisu's free edit mode
• Registering for teaching and exams

For technical Sisu issues, you can contact HelsinkiUni Help on weekdays. Through HelsinkiUni Help, you can also reach the specialists of your doctoral programme. Contact details and opening hours are available on the page Student Advice.

The new curricula for doctoral programmes have been published. The curriculum of your doctoral programme specifies the structure and learning objectives of your degree, as well as the learning objectives, content and competence assessment methods of the modules and study units included in the degree.

You can explore the curricula of the doctoral programmes on the Degree Structure page of the Studies Service and check the course offerings for transferable skills provided by the Doctoral School on the Teaching and Course Registration for Doctoral Researchers page. You can read more general information about the structure of the doctoral degree from Scope and structure of doctoral degrees -page.

These guidelines apply to transfers between doctoral programmes from 1 May 2026 to 31 July 2027.

Please note that this form cannot be used to change the faculty or target degree associated with your right to study. If you wish to change these, you must apply for a new right to study through the regular doctoral application procedure.

Through this process, all doctoral researchers can apply for a transfer of programme, regardless of, for example, their source of funding.

If you are considering a programme transfer, you can browse all doctoral programme curricula on Studies Service's Degree structure -section. For descriptions of doctoral programmes and their disciplines, visit the doctoral programme's website. 

You can transfer from one programme to another only once through a simplified application procedure, so it is important that you read these guidelines carefully and discuss the transfer with your supervisor. 

NB! When the new curriculum period begins on 1 August 2026, all doctoral researchers will have their doctoral programme displayed in Sisu in accordance with the programme reform. If you applied for a doctoral programme transfer, it will take place in August, provided you submitted your application by 31 July 2026. Applications submitted at a later date will be processed by doctoral programme steering groups roughly once a month in the autumn.

Simplified application procedure

You can apply to transfer between doctoral programmes through a simplified application procedure if the new programme does not align with your doctoral thesis topic or supervision arrangements, or with other justification. Please note that completing the form does not guarantee a transfer. Doctoral programme steering groups will assess all applications and make the final decision.

Supervision requirements vary by doctoral programme. Carefully determine whether your supervision arrangements meet the new doctoral programme’s requirements before applying for a transfer. You can read about supervision requirements in doctoral programmes on the University website.

If the supervision requirements of the new programme differ from your current arrangements, you can attach to the application a description of the new supervision relationships and the new supervisors’ consent to supervise your doctoral thesis.

Please note that the curriculum and degree requirements for your new programme may differ from those of your current programme, and not all studies you have already completed may be applicable to the new programme. If you change your programme, you may need to complete additional coursework according to the curriculum of your new programme.

Doctoral programme transfers are applied for using a separate form. In the form, you must indicate your target doctoral programme and the grounds for the transfer. You must also indicate whether you have discussed the matter with your supervisor. Include a summary of your research plan in the application. Your supervisor and coordinating academic will receive an automated notification about the submitted form.

The application will be submitted for review by the doctoral programme steering group, which can either approve or reject the transfer. Information on approved applications will be shared with the doctoral researchers and the student register, which records doctoral programme transfers in the University’s information systems.

Form

Doctoral programme transfers are applied for using this form. The form can only be completed in the University network or via the University’s VPN connection. The details of your right to study are automatically added to the form. If you have submitted multiple applications that now await review, only the latest will be processed.