Preliminary examination

Are you about to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination? This theme comprises instructions for submitting a doctoral dissertation for examination and what should be taken into account when you are planning the examination timetable for your dissertation. Start by reading the general instructions for all doctoral students and then move on to the more detailed instructions of your home faculty. You will recognise your faculty's instructions by the header.

Instructions related to permission for a public defence and the publication of doctoral dissertations, the public examination and the grading of the dissertation as well as graduation can be found under separate themes.

Start here: planning the timetable

The examination process of doctoral dissertations comprises two stages: the preliminary examination and the the public examination. In order to graduate as a doctor, students have to complete the compulsory studies included in the degree as well as an approved dissertation.

Appointment and duties of the preliminary examiners

This section provides you with information on the preliminary examiners’ duties, what criteria is used when appointing preliminary examiners and how the preliminary examiners submit their statements.

Language revision of dissertations

It is important to ensure that dissertations are not unfairly overlooked in the scientific community due to shortcomings in linguistic expression. The doctoral candidate has the responsibility to see to it that the language of the dissertation fulfils academic publishing standards.

Plagiarism detection and using Urkund

The University of Helsinki uses the Urkund plagiarism detection system.

Structure and criteria of doctoral dissertations

The doctoral dissertation and related research are the most significant and extensive part of a doctoral degree. The University of Helsinki does not measure dissertations in credits, but their scope has been calculated to correspond to approximately 200 credits.

Registration of doctoral studies

Completed doctoral studies are entered into the University Student Register. Both individual study units and completed study modules are registered.

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Arts: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Arts on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Educational Sciences: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Educational Sciences on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Law: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Law on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Medicine: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Medicine on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Pharmacy: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Pharmacy on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Science: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Science on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Social Sciences: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Social Sciences on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Theology: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Theology on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: submitting the doctoral thesis

This page provides detailed instructions to the students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine on how to submit a doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination.

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