Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering

Doctoral students graduating from our programme will be equipped with the professional skills and knowledge required for demanding academic research and teaching positions. They will be trained for the expert, development and management positions of the information society. High-level research is a prerequisite for doctoral studies and research training.

The aim of doctoral studies is for students

1. to obtain a thorough knowledge of the research methods and development of their research field;
2. to acquire a profound knowledge of their research field and its social significance; obtain the necessary skills to independently apply the scientific methods of their field and produce new scientific knowledge;
3. to possess a sufficient level of expertise in the theory of science and other fields related to their research field.

The Doctor of Science (Technology) degree consists of

1. an approved doctoral thesis
2. general research studies (5-20 ECTS)
3. research field studies (10-25 ECTS)

The completion of the doctoral degree equals four years of full-time studies.

The main focus of doctoral studies is on research work, the evaluation of one's research results and being published in peer-reviewed journals. In a nutshell, doctoral studies seek to provide doctoral candidates with the capacity to conduct research that produces new knowledge and to gain professional experience as a qualified researcher.

This learning process culminates in a doctoral dissertation and its public defence under the supervision of examiners who are experts in the field of the research. The latest Aalto University doctoral theses in the field of technology are available online. The webpages for the Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering can be found at Into.aalto.fi pages.

Doctoral education at School of Chemical Engineering resembles an apprenticeship in that students conduct their research work in close collaboration with their thesis advisor(s) and supervising professor. As a doctoral candidate, you will spend three to four years working intensively on a specific research topic and completing the written component of your intellectual piece of work, i.e. doctoral thesis. Along the way, you will participate in theory courses, seminars, research collaboration and other departmental activities as well as potentially teach undergraduates.

Full-time doctoral students

Full-timedoctoral students plan their studies with the aim of completing a doctoral degree within four years of the admission to the doctoral programme. Full-time doctoral students need to have funding allocated for the doctoral studies (e.g. project funding, a personal grant or funding from an employer). Students working outside of Aalto University who wish to be full-time doctoral students must provide a document of the employers' approval for full-time doctoral studies (working students must be able to dedicate up to 80% of their working hours).

Part-time doctoral students

Part-time doctoral students are those who do not meet the above-mentioned requirements for full-time doctoral students. Their studies are planned in such a way that the time spent on doctoral studies is eight years or less. A part-time doctoral student typically has a main occupation outside the School of Chemical Engineering which occupation does not include scientific research for the doctoral thesis.

Applicants for part-time doctoral studies should discuss:

• whether the research in the programme is closely connected with the applicant’s own work
• what opportunities the employer has for supporting intensive postgraduate studying e.g. alongside work.

Full-time and part-time studies

The language of instruction is, in principle, English, but the doctoral thesis can also be completed in Finnish or Swedish.

The applicants will define in their application in which language they will pursue the degree. The possible languages are Finnish, Swedish, or English. If doctoral students want to write their doctoral thesis in Finnish or in Swedish, the language of the degree will be Finnish or Swedish. If the doctoral thesis is written in English, doctoral students can choose English as the language of the degree that must be approved by the doctoral programme committee. The language of degree can, on reasonable grounds, be changed at a later stage if the language of the doctoral thesis changes.

Funding

The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are

• working in a salaried doctoral researcher position
• personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies

Most Aalto doctoral students combine different funding sources during their studies. 

How to find and apply for funding for doctoral studies and research?

During the academic year 2024-2025, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture is funding 178 new doctoral researcher positions at Aalto University through a doctoral education pilot.

Doctoral education pilot: 178 doctoral researchers' salaried positions

Generally Aalto University does not offer scholarships for doctoral studies. However, there is an on-going scholarship scheme until 2024 for students from African and South American countries: Finland Fellowship.

If you have a scholarship from a non-Finnish funding agency, e.g. non-Finnish governmental funding, please note the need for health insurance.

Fees and costs

Aalto University doctoral studies are free of tuition fees. Aalto University does not charge fees for enrollment to the University. Doctoral students are welcome to join the Aalto University Student Union. The membership of the Student Union is subject to an annual fee.

If you need a residence permit for research in Finland, please see more information about income requirement at the Finnish Immigration Services.

Internationalisation is an integral part of the school’s doctoral education in both recruiting and educating doctoral candidates. The School of Chemical Engineering is well connected to several top-level universities, research institutes and industrial operators in the field.

Aalto University encourages its doctoral candidates to spend at least six months of their study time abroad as international mobility enhances doctoral candidates’ career opportunities. Visiting a foreign university or research institute often means sharing knowledge and know-how, creating new ideas, expanding international networks, and developing one’s professional proficiency.

To be eligible to apply in doctoral admissions, you must have a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent.

1. The degree must have been awarded by a higher education institution (university or university of applied sciences in the Finnish education system).
2. The degree must give eligibility to apply for doctoral degree studies at university in the awarding country.
3. The awarding higher education institution has to be a recognised part of the official national education system of the country. It has to be accredited as a degree-granting higher education institution by the country where it is located or by a relevant international organisation (such as UNESCO).

Generally an acceptable master’s degree has been carried out in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process (3+2 years). As a rule, a higher education degree (or degree combination) earned abroad in a country that does not follow the Bologna Process should include a minimum of 4 years of studies and a master’s thesis.

Field of previous studies

In general, a Master’s degree which corresponds to the Master of Science (Technology) degree granted by Aalto University grants eligibility. The completed degree should provide the student with the knowledge and skills required for the doctoral research field applied for. 

If the completed degree does not correspond to the above mentioned Master of Science (Technology) degree, the applicant should demonstrate relevant work experience gained or interest in the field, and should discuss the necessary prerequisites for entry to doctoral studies with an Aalto University professor of the research field in question.

Applicants with applicable Master's degree from a university of applied sciences are assessed by School for their potential to complete doctoral studies successfully at Aalto University. Such applicants are usually required to complete up to 30 ECTS of supplementary studies. 

Required grades in the master´s degree (on the scale 1 - 5)

1. Applicants will have earned the master’s degree that the are using as the basis for doctoral studies with a weighted average grade of 3.5 / very good excluding the grade of master's thesis (Aalto University uses the grading scale 1–5); or
2. Applicants with a master’s degree earned in accordance with the degree regulations of 1995 must have completed the major studies (minimum 30 ECTS) in the master’s degree used as a basis for doctoral studies with an average grade of 3.5 / 5.
3. Applicants will have completed their master’s thesis with a grade of 4.0 / very good (Aalto University uses the grading scale 1–5).

The same requirements apply to degrees whether they are earned in Finland or abroad.

If an applicant does not meet these criteria but is otherwise suitable for doctoral studies, they have the possibility to attach a transcript of study records to their application, demonstrating that they have completed similar courses with higher grades. Alternatively, if they are accepted, the School may require supplementary studies. In addition to courses taken at the School of Chemical Engineering, the school may, based on a proposal of the supervising professor, accept courses taken at other universities.

Applying with an incomplete degree

It is possible to apply to the doctoral programme with an incomplete degree, but the applicant must graduate before the right to study can be granted. Only applicants who acquire their master's degree certificate within three months of the application deadline can apply. The applicants with an incomplete degree must also fulfil all the above mentioned grade requirements when they apply. If the applicant’s Master’s degree is not completed or the degree certificate and transcript is not delivered by a deadline specified by the School, their application is rejected.

Information on another degree can be included in the application

In addition to the degree granting eligibility to apply (i.e. master's degree), you can include one other higher education degree (e.g. bachelor's degree) in the section Other Higher Education Degree on the application form.

If you choose to include another higher education degree, you must upload the required application documents related to this degree to your application form. 

In some cases including an other degree is required to prove that the degree combination fulfills the above-mentioned requirements set for the eligibility granting degree (combination). 

Prerequisites

The following is required for an applicant to be approved for doctoral studies:

1. Adequate knowledge in their confirmed research field, gained through, for example, courses toward the major, courses in an advanced module in Master’s studies, or equivalent studies.
2. Sufficient knowledge that supports the research work and the writing of the research publications and doctoral thesis.
3. When necessary, the School of Chemical Engineering may set supplementary studies to meet the prerequisites of the doctoral degree, for instance, requiring that credits be earned by taking exams related to Master's-level courses.

Criteria for academic evaluation

a. Previous academic study achievements and the duration of studies.

b. Previous research experience and potential for a researcher career: work experience in the research sector, scientific publications and conference presentations etc. Applicant must respect and follow national guidelines for research ethics and authorship by TENK.

c. Appropriateness of the research topic: research orientation on School's and Department's focus areas so that proficient guidance and supervisor’s genuine scientific interest are possible

d. Research plan: theoretical and practical relevance and novelty of the topic, and feasibility of the plan (quality, realism, methodical approach etc.)

 e. Effort and resources for doctoral studies: feasibility of the study plan, realistic time available for studying and research during the forthcoming 3 to 4 years, and motivation and commitment to the work required by doctoral studies

f. Time management, funding and resources: the feasibility of the study plan and the funding, supervision resources and time available for the doctoral studies in the next four (4) years. 

In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, also the resources of Department to supervise and fund doctoral students will be noticed. A minimum of one-year funding is required to start the doctoral research project.

• Last name and all first names: the spelling of names must match your valid passport.
• Definition of full-time and part-times studies.
• Language of the degree: Choose English unless you wish to write your doctoral thesis in Finnish or Swedish.
• Position funding: Choose the length of secured funding. Choose "no funding" if you do not have any secured funding.
• If you want to apply for School of Chemical Engineering funding, please notice a separate deadline for the School's funding. Funding application is a separate application form and funding cannot be applied with the study-right application form.
• If you have not completed your master's degree by the application deadline, verify the graduation schedule with your home university and the date for obtaining your official degree certificate. 
• Please attach the required appendices (see below) as PDF files to the application form. All appendices are placed to the electronic application form.

Complete applications are processed within two months of the end of the application period. Incomplete applications will be rejected, unless the missing materials are sent by the given deadline.

Doctoral education services reviews your application and the required documents for the general eligibility requirements, i.e. check the authenticity of the documents, make sure that the application contains all the requisite documents and that the applicant fulfils the admission requirements. Incomplete or ineligible applications can be rejected at this stage and professors are not obliged to process them. 

The academic evaluation of the eligible applications is carried out by the professors. Based on the academic evaluation, the Doctoral Programme Committee makes a proposal of admission or rejection to the Dean of the School. The Dean makes the formal decision on admission or rejection.

Aalto University is strongly committed to the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK. Giving misleading information during the application process is not in line with good scientific practice. The applicants’ actions that fall under the points 3, 6-8 of these guidelines will lead to rejection of their application, even if the applicant is otherwise eligible for doctoral studies. Any violation of TENK guidelines will seriously impact any career prospects at Aalto University.

Language test reports must be received by Aalto University by the end of the application period at the latest. The validity date is calculated from the first day of the application period for all applicants in that application round. For example, the earliest date to have completed a TOEFL test for an applicant applying in the first application round of the admissions 2025 (9.12.2024-30.1.2025) is 9.12.2022 and Aalto University must receive that language test report by 30.1.2025 at the latest. Please note that test organizers might not deliver expired test results – order your results on time. See the application periods above.

If you need to submit any information pertaining to your language test or any documents after you have submitted your application, please use the email address [email protected]. 

1. Scanned colour copy of the original Master's degree certificate. Name the file according to this format: Degree-certificate-lastname-firstname.
   If the degree is from Aalto University, the degree certificate is not required at this stage. We will verify your degree from the University’s student information system.
2. Scanned colour copy of the all the pages of the original official transcript of study records of the Master’s degree. Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.
3. Diploma supplement OR other official document issued by the University including the grading scale and other relevant information on the degree, if this information is not available on the transcript of study records.
   If the degree is from Aalto University, the diploma supplement is not required.
4. If your degree certificate and the official transcript of records are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, scanned colour copies of authorised translations. The instructions for authorised translations are below (see "Translations"). Name the file according to format: Translation-transcript-lastname.
5. Curriculum vitae (CV). Name the file according to format: CV-lastname-firstname.
   Max. two pages, in English. Including a detailed information of scientific activity (publications, submitted publications, conference presentations (talks and posters) and patents). Suggested: Template for a researcher's CV.
6. Research plan and funding plan. Name the file according to format: Research-plan-lastname-firstname.
   • Written by the applicant under the supervision of the proposed supervising professor. In English, no more than two pages (including references/bibliography). Supervising professor must sign the research plan and the funding plan.
   • Schedule of the research work and planned publications: time span of 3-4 years for full-time students and 4-8 years for part-time students; the schedule for the publications and completion of doctoral degree
   • Funding plan for the research work made by applicant. Funding plan in one section or as figure - state the start and ending of secured funding time and also suggest from where the missing funding will be acquired (scholarships, projects etc.). State clearly for which months the funding has been secured (example: May 2024- June 2027), and also uncertain funding seasons. Include also a list of all funding applications during the last six months. A minimum of one year funding is required to start the doctoral research project.
   • The Supervising professor must confirm their commitment to supervise the thesis according to the schedule and resources detailed in the research plan.
7. Credit plan. Name the file according to format: Credit_plan-lastname-firstname.
   A preliminary credit plan for the theoretical studies of the degree, 30 ECTS. The plan must follow the curriculum 2024-2026 of the Doctoral programme and include the two compulsory courses: LC-L1000 Research Ethics for Doctoral Students and CHEM-L1100, Toolkit for Doctoral Studies.
   PDF template for credit plan
8. Supervision plan. Name the file according to format: Supervision_plan-lastname-firstname.
   • Carefully read the guidelines, which give detailed information about the mutual duties and responsibilities of the supervising professor, thesis advisors and doctoral student, before filling in the responsibilities to the Supervision plan template.
   • You can have  1–3 thesis advisor(s). Theses advisors need to have a doctoral degree (remember to check this especially in case of advisors who work outside Aalto University). The supervising professor can be one of the thesis advisors. In case you don't have separate advisor(s), supervising professor will be nominated to both roles.
   • You, your supervising professor and thesis advisor(s) have to sign this document.
9. Motivation letter. Name the file according to format: Motivation_letter-lastname-firstname.
   In English, one A4 page. 
10. Description of your previous research experience, for example write a description of your master's thesis and possible other research contributions. Please describe your research experience in your own words. In English, one A4 page. Name the file according to format: Previous_research_experience-lastname-firstname.
11. Official English abstract of your Master's thesis. Name the file according to format: Masters_thesis_abstract-lastname-firstname.
12. Copy of a valid passport or an official government-issued identification card with photo and information on citizenship. Name the file according to format: Passport-lastname-firstname.
    Upload a copy only of the personal information page of the passport (not all pages).
13. If required in your case: other required documents pertaining to demonstrating your language proficiency.
14. Any other supporting documents, such as a letter of recommendation, in which case it should include an explanation of the connection between the applicant and the person giving the recommendation. Max. two letters.

This document requirement does not apply to applicants with an incomplete degree. If your degree is incomplete at the application phase, submit a current transcript of study records.

In addition to the documents listed above, your proposed supervising professor at the School of Chemical Engineering must submit a recommendation letter directly to the Doctoral Education Services of the School. With this letter, the professor has an opportunity to highlight your special skills and potential.

All the documents must be in Finnish, Swedish or English. If the original degree certificate or transcript of records was written in some other language, an official translation of the document must be submitted.

The translation is official if it has been done by the higher education institution that awarded the degree or by a certified translator (authorised translator). The translations must have the certified translator’s stamp and signature.

In Finland, the Finnish National Agency for Education (www.oph.fi/en) maintains a register of authorised translators who are based in Finland.

The accepted applicants must demonstrate the authenticity of their degree certificate and transcript of records. The authenticity is demonstrated by presenting the original official documents in person; OR by submitting the certified (attested) hard copies of your degree certificates and transcripts of records. 

Note: If you have completed your degree at Aalto University (or its predecessors), or if you completed your degree in Finland after 1 January 2003 and have a Finnish personal identification code, you are NOT required to present original documents nor to submit any hard copies. We will verify the authenticity of your electronic documents via a national database.

Accepted methods of demonstrating the authenticity
(After being accepted to the doctoral programme)

1. Presenting original official documents: Present the original documents (and their translations, if necessary) to the Coordinator within a given deadline; OR
2. Submitting certified copies: Submit your documents according to the instructions for certified copies. Please note that you must also follow the country-specific requirements for submitting documents, if your degree is awarded in: Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, the United Kingdom or the United States.

In addition to the above-mentioned ways, we also accept certain electronic services. 

More information in the country-specific requirements

The accepted applicants will be given a deadline and more instructions for submitting their documents.

You will need to accept the offer in the application system and enrol to the ongoing academic year / term at the same time. The acceptance is binding and cannot be changed. Detailed instructions will be sent to accepted applicants with the admission letter.

According to the ‘one student place per term in higher education’ policy (Universities Act 558/2009), applicants who are offered admission to more than one degree programme beginning in the same academic term at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences may only accept one offer of admission. The academic terms run from 1 August to 31 December and from 1 January to 31 July. The policy applies to all degree-granting higher education programmes, whether applying through: joint application procedures, separate admissions procedures, or applying to doctoral education (to earn a licentiate or doctoral degree).

If you are offered admission to more than one study option in different admissions, you can only accept one of the offered study places. It is not possible to cancel the acceptance of a study place. Even if the student postpones the commencement of studies, or interrupts their studies, they cannot accept another study place for a programme starting in the same academic term.

If you are currently an Aalto University student, please note that at Aalto University, a student may have only one valid study right towards a given degree. If an Aalto University student accepts a new study right in a programme leading to the same degree at Aalto, the old study right will be cancelled.

The right of appeal means that the applicants have the possibility to request for rectification, if they believe that there has been an error in the decision-making process. In the appeal the applicant should specify the error. The right of appeal is not intended as means for receiving feedback or asking for further information about the application process. The admission decisions are based on the information the applicant delivers to Aalto University by the given deadline. The letter of appeal is directed to the Dean of the School.

The letter of appeal must be submitted to the Registry of Aalto University within 14 days after the publication of the decisions:

Aalto University
Registry
P.O. Box 11000
FI-00076 Aalto
Finland

or by by e-mail: [email protected]

Visiting address Otakaari 1 B, Espoo.

Appeals will be processed as soon as possible after the appeal period has ended, but please take into account delays caused by holiday seasons.