Doctoral Studies at CEAS

CEAS offers studies on the doctoral level leading up to a doctoral thesis and Doctoral Degree in Social Sciences (East Asian studies).

To complete a doctoral degree in social sciences, doctoral candidates are required to complete 240 credits (ECTS) of work, consisting of a dissertation (200 credits) and academic courses and other work worth 40 credits. 

The 40-credit courses and other work can be taken in the following form:

1. Obligatory studies (15–20 ECTS)
   • Active participation in the CEAS research seminars (for more information on CEAS Research Seminar see below).  (obligatory to complete 12 ECTS)
   • Course on Research Ethics (2 ECTS) provided by the University of Turku Graduate School or equivalent studies
   • Other postgraduate studies exam or equivalent course. The content and method of completion, as well as the amount of credits is agreed with the thesis supervisor or professor.
      
2. Other selective studies  
   • A poster or a presentation at a national or international academic conference on East Asia (1–4 ECTS)
   • An approved lecture (1–2 ECTS)
   • Classes/courses
     • a comprehensive book exam (5 ECTS)
     • a bibliographical essay/literature review (5 ECTS)
     • advanced academic English writing and/or East Asian language studies (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) (20 ECTS max)
     • pedagogical studies (1–15 ECTS)
   • Publications: an article of 6,500 words published in an refereed academic journal (10 ECTS)
   • A published book review (2 ECTS)
   • An article featuring the prospective student's research expertise published in a non-academic journal, magazine, or a major newspaper (2 ECTS)​
   • Academic studies organised by doctoral programmes. For courses at the University of Turku, check the up-to-date course selection from UTU Peppi Study Guide.

Doctoral candidates are required to present their research plan and findings to the Centre's doctoral seminar. CEAS research seminars are multidisciplinary, and doctoral candidates from all disciplines of human sciences at the University of Turku are welcome to attend and present their research.

These PhD seminars are aimed at doctoral students from all UTU faculties in human sciences. The objective is to get together a critical mass of people who are writing their thesis about East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), and to foster a multidisciplinary research community in East Asian Studies at UTU.

PhD students will earn 3 ECTS for the presentation of a seminar paper. Each student must present in total four papers in the seminars and earn 12 ECTS from this category. Active participation in seminars is expected. Papers to be presented and discussed in the seminar will be made available in advance in the CEAS-research mailing list.

For more information and for giving a presentation in the seminar, please contact Professor Lauri Paltemaa (lauri.paltemaa@utu.fi).

Lauri Paltemaa
Professor, Director of CEAS laupalt@utu.fi
+358 (0) 29 450 3059, +358 (0) 50 326 5014

Find out more about our current doctoral researchers, their dissertation topics and research interests.

Application Procedure

Admission into the doctoral programme of the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS) takes place in accordance with guidelines and regulations of the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and the Faculty of Social Sciences. For details, please visit these sites.

Applications to the right to conduct doctoral studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences are submitted to the Doctoral Programme of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

Prospective students also need to make arrangements with the Professor of East Asian Contemporary History and Politics. The final admission decision is made by the dean, based on the recommendation of the faculty board after consulting the department. The results are announced approximately two months after the application period.

Application periods

There are normally two rounds of applications to the Doctoral Programme of Social and Behavioural Sciences each academic year, one in September and the other in March. The most recent or announced application periods are given in at the website of the doctoral programme. Applicants are strongly advised to contact potential supervisors at CEAS with a research proposal well in advance to allow sufficent time for comments and revisions.

Eligibility

For details on eligibility requirements, please see the website of the doctoral programme. For more information on eligibility related to East Asian studies, please get in touch with Professor Lauri Paltemaa to discuss your eligibility.

Funding

Prospective doctoral candidates are encouraged to seek funding from multiple sources. For more information check the UTUGS website. 

Doctoral Researchers who are accepted to the Graduate School may apply travel and research grants from the Faculty of Social Sciences, provided that they are not employed by the University of Turku. More information in the Faculty intranet