Doctoral researcher: create a new study plan in Sisu at the start of the autumn term

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.

The change concerns all doctoral students who have started before August 2026: even if you have already completed all studies required for the degree, you need a new study plan to be able to apply for graduation from the 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.

Photo: Anniina Sjöblom (University of Helsinki)