Aalto University streamlines doctoral studies - degree regulations renewed

The new regulations require the organization of doctoral education so that the studies can be completed in four years. This also facilitates international cooperation in education, when comparability with European qualifications increases. Uniform regulations in the University promote the studies beyond the school borders, and the equal treatment of doctoral candidates is strengthened.

"Our society needs multidisciplinary and international graduated doctors with good working life skills – Aalto University, in turn, needs smooth processes to support the doctoral candidates to complete their studies within the four-year target time", says Vice President Tuija Pulkkinen.

The new requirements of doctoral studies include learning the principles of responsible conduct of research. The evaluation of doctoral dissertations will be unified at the University, as the grade “pass with distinction” is excluded in all doctoral programmes except the Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture. From now on the best doctoral dissertations shall be rewarded annually by the Aalto University Dissertation Award.

According to the new regulations a tenure-track professor may act as a supervising professor for the candidate. For special reasons, also a non-tenure track professor can act in this task by decision of the Dean.

The Degree Regulations on Doctoral Education will be part of the Aalto University General Regulations on Teaching and Studying (OOS). Accordingly the parts of school-specific degree regulations regarding doctoral education shall be removed.

The Aalto University Academic Affairs Committee decided on the new degree regulations on 6 February 2018.

Degree Regulation on Doctoral Education (pdf - Note: For English, please scroll down the document)
Instructions and Decisions on Doctoral Education on Inside 

More information:
Anneli Ahvenniemi
Senior Adviser, Research and Innovation Services
050 384 1627
anneli.ahvenniemi@aalto.fi