These instructions are for a call for applications for a right to study.
Please fill the electronic application form on My StudyInfo and attach the required application documents into it, if not otherwise stated. Please make sure that all attachments are of good quality, are easy to read, full-colour scans or photographs of the complete required document. The application documents should be in pdf-format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected.
In addition to the electronic application form, documents 1-5 and possibly documents 7-9 must be submitted. In addition, document 6 is recommended to be submitted.
1. Curriculum vitae
Please see the instructions of TENK for writing a CV:
http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae
2. Dissertation research plan (in English) (mandatory)
In the Faculty of Technology, the maximum length of the research plan in all is 5 pages (Times New Roman 12pt or equivalent; line spacing 1). Research plan should contain:
- Name of the applicant
- Planned title of the doctoral dissertation
- Description of research topic and scientific goals
- Research methods, experimental design and research environment
- Placement of the dissertation research in a possible wider research context of the group
- Timetable of research
- Current state of doctoral thesis and postgraduate studies.
- List of references
For applicants in Information Systems Science (Turku School of Economics) the maximum length of research plan is 10 pages, and cover and list of references. See more information from the selection criteria for postgraduate studies at TSE: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/turku-school-of-economics/research/doctoral-training/applying
The research plan should follow the guidelines for the responsible conduct of research (see Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) | Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK). By attaching the research plan to the application form the applicant gives permission for checking the research plan with Turnitin Originality Check (system for electrical plagiarism detection). The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in the preparation of the research plan in a wider role than checking grammar or generating short expressions should be clearly indicated in the research plan.
3. A copy of the degree certificates and the transcript of study records (mandatory)
A. If the applicant has completed the former degree(s) which make them eligible for doctoral studies at a University in Finland, the degree certificates, the transcripts of study records and other educational documents which may influence in the student selection must be attached in the electronic application form.
B. If the applicant has completed the former degree(s) which make them eligible for doctoral studies at a University abroad (i.e. outside Finland), they must attach the following items to the electronic application form:
- Scanned original degree certificates (in the same language as the degree was completed in)
- Scanned original transcripts of study records (in the same language as the degree was completed in)
- Scanned other original educational documents, which may be of relevance in the student selection.
- If the original degree certificates, transcript of study records and other educational documents are not written in English, Finnish or Swedish, official translations of the documents to one of these languages must also be submitted. An official translation here refers to a translation of the educational documents issued by the awarding institution or a translation made by an authorized translator. A transcript in English can be replaced by a Diploma Supplement awarded by a European educational institution if it contains the information about completed courses and other study attainments.
Those applicants who have been granted a right to study and who have completed their prior degree abroad have to submit either the original degree certificates or certified copies of the degree certificates and other educational documents and the official translations of the documents to the University of Turku at the latest in 5 September 2025. If the admitted applicant does not deliver the required certificates by the deadline set in the admission notification, they forfeit the study right. Link to the instructions on delivering certificates and country-specific requirements.
C. In the Faculty of Technology, if the degree that gives eligibility for the study right for a doctoral degree is not completed by the deadline of application time, an up-to-date transcript of study records must be attached to the application.
Please make sure that all attachments are good-quality, easy to read, full-colour scans or photographs of the complete required document. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected.
If you have completed the former degree(s) which make you eligible for doctoral studies at a university abroad (i.e. outside Finland), please make sure to have original degree certificates and other relevant educational documents ready at hand if you are granted a right to study. Instructions will be given in the admission notification.
4. Supervision plan signed by supervisor(s), the applicant and A) a research director (Faculty of Technology) OR B) the subject's Professor in charge (Information Systems Science, Turku School of Economics)
A signed supervision plan is a mandatory attachment to the study right application. You must use the supervision plan templates found below. Please note, that the supervision plan templates are different for applicants for a study right at the Faculty of Technology and Information Systems Science (Turku School of Economics).
5. Motivation letter (mandatory)
Motivation letter is maximum one page long freeform document, which includes the reasons for performing a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Technology, and also your career plans after graduation (e.g. with regards to academic career / in Finland or elsewhere).
6. List of publication
Please see the instructions in the website (Application documents):
https://www.utu.fi/en/university/faculty-of-technology/doctoral-training/how-to-apply
7. Verification of language proficiency (possibly mandatory, check below)
The University of Turku follows the Rector’s decision (15 Aug 2019) on the means of verifying one’s language proficiency. If the applicant is required to prove their language proficiency with a language test, a scanned certificate of a completed language test must be attached to the application. See language requirements on the website of the university’s graduate school: https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/how-to-apply/language
8.Copy of a valid passport (possibly mandatory, check below)
Attach a copy of your valid passport or official identification card with photo and information on citizenship. If you have a Finnish personal identity code and you have entered it on the application form, you do not need to attach a copy of your passport.
9. A statement of continuous commitment by a company/organization (outside UTU) to an employee's doctoral degree (potentially needed, check below)
A freeform document, in which a company / organization (representative of a company / organization, e.g. superior) express of being aware of the applicant's post-graduate studies and shows support (e.g. level or type of support, possible resources) for applicant's studies while the applicant works at the same time at the company / organization. The commitment should express also the impact of the thesis work for the company / organization.