Full-time and part-time studies

All doctoral students are defined as either full-time or part-time students. Doctoral students may not change their official mode of study by themselves, but it can be changed by application if necessary. Please apply for change in case the status changes for minimum 6 months (e.g. funding).

Full-time doctoral studies (up to 4 years)

The doctoral personal study plan (DPSP) of the student reflects that they plan to complete their degree within four years of the start of their doctoral studies. Typically full-time students have a salaried doctoral researcher position at Aalto University, receive individual funding for doctoral studies or work full-time towards their doctoral thesis at a research institute or private company (at least 80% of work hours dedicated to doctoral studies).

CHEM: Full-time students are required to have funding allocated for the doctoral studies for at least the first 12 months. Full-time students working outside of Aalto University must provide a document of their employers' approval for full-time doctoral studies (min. 80%).

ELEC & SCI: Full-time students are required to have funding allocated for the doctoral studies for at least the first 6 months (e.g. project funding, a personal grant or funding from an employer). Full-time students working outside of Aalto University must provide a document of their employers' approval for full-time doctoral studies (min. 80%).

Part-time doctoral studies (4-8 years)

The doctoral personal study plan (DPSP) of the student reflects that they plan to complete their degree within four to eight years of the start of their doctoral studies. Typically they have not secured (long-term) funding yet and are not employed by the University as salaried doctoral researchers.

Changing your status (mode of study)

Normally it is recommended to change your status if your mode of study changes for at least 6 months or more. First discuss the change with your supervising professor and then submit the application form (Change of supervising professor, thesis advisor, research field or mode of study) to the Doctoral education services of your doctoral programme.

Doctoral student forms (aalto.fi)

Readmission in case the right to study is lost

If you lose your right to study on account of failure to enrol for the academic year, you must apply for readmission. If more than one academic year has passed since you neglected to enrol, you must append a goal-oriented and feasible plan showing how you will complete your studies within a reasonable period of time. For doctoral students, this plan is the Doctoral personal study plan (DPSP).

Instructions for DPSP (aalto.fi)Readmission instructions and application form (aalto.fi)

Waiving/renouncing the right to study

If you wish to give up your study right completely, please note that the decision is binding. Please submit the application to your Doctoral programme's Doctoral Education Services.

Instructions and application form (aalto.fi)