Applicable degree and meeting the quality requirements thereof
In Finland, eligible for studies leading to an academic postgraduate degree are those who have obtained
- an applicable higher university degree
- an applicable higher polytechnic degree
- an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding higher education
Applicants that have completed a degree in the field of business science can apply for the Doctor of Science is Economic and Business Administration (all majors). Others may apply either to Doctor of Social Sciences wirh Economics as a major (with a degree in the field of social sciences or in another relevant field) or Doctor of Philosophy (all majors).
Applications are evaluated by professors in academic departments based on the applicants’ previous academic performance, research potential, motivation, and references. Candidates must be available for an interview either face to face or virtually. The prerequisites for admission and the capabilities for successful doctoral training will be examined case-by-case by the subject and the steering committee of the doctoral programme.
As a rule, before admission applicants must have completed 60 ECTS credits of studies in the chosen major subject, 18 ECTS credits of which must be advanced studies. The exception is Futures Studies, where the requirement is 10 ECTS credits. The previous studies must also include methodological studies. The previous studies in the major subject, as well as the thesis, must have been completed with at least very good grades, i.e., grade 4 or 5 on a scale from 1 to 5 (or corresponding grades). In exceptional cases where an applicant's grades obtained for their Master's degree (or equivalent) do not meet the requirements for admission to TSE, it may be possible to compensate the insufficient grades with an outstanding research plan. This is evaluated in the major subject. In addition, majors may have their own requirements for previous studies. Those admitted to the Finance specialisation are required to have taken the course LRS34 Financial Econometrics (or equivalent). Those admitted to Economics are required to have taken the GSE courses Microeconomics 1/4, Macroeconomics 1/4 and Econometrics 1/4 (or equivalent). Meeting the requirements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Those applying for doctoral studies in economics and business administration must have a degree in economic science, and those applying for doctoral studies in social sciences (economics as a major) must have a degree in social sciences or in another applicable field. Applicants with degrees in other field can apply for doctoral studies in philosophy.
Applicants for the postgraduate studies in Economics and Business Administration who have completed degrees in fields other than business science must complete the common core studies included in economics and business administration studies. They must also complete the basic studies of one subject in business sciences and potentially separately specified supplementary courses in the major subject of the doctoral degree — including the major’s methodology courses — before they can be accepted for postgraduate studies.
Depending on the applicant’s academic background and experience, the applicant may be required to complete complementary university-level studies or bridging studies if they are considered necessary for the applicant to start their doctoral studies in the chosen major subject. The bridging studies may amount to a maximum of 60 ECTS credits, and they must be completed with very good grades (at least 60% of the maximum score) before the study right is granted. The bridging studies may be completed at the Open University or as non-degree studies.