Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Health Sciences

In compliance with the Universities Act 558/2009, persons who have completed the following shall be eligible for studies leading to an academic postgraduate degree

1. An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university; or
2. An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or
3. An applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies.

A person whom the faculty judges to otherwise have sufficient knowledge and skills for the studies can also be admitted to postgraduate studies. For a special reason, postgraduate studies can be started before the student has completed their previous degree.

The faculty may require students admitted to study for a scientific postgraduate degree to complete the necessary supplementary studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills required by the studies.

 

Degrees

Following post graduate degrees can be completed in the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Health Sciences:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Medical Science
• Doctor of Odontology
• Doctor of Health Sciences

Prerequisite degree requirements:

Doctor of Medical Science
Licentiate of Medicine completed in Finland, Master of Science in Medicine completed in EU or EEC, or Master of Science in Medicine completed elsewhere and recognised by Finnish Supervisory Agency.

Doctor of Odontology
Licentiate of Odontology completed in Finland, Master of Science in Odontology completed in EU or EEC or Master of Science on Odontology completed elsewhere and recognised by Finnish Supervisory Agency.

Doctor of Philosophy
An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university; or an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy)
Master of Science (Pharmacy) completed in Finland; or an equivalent degree completed in another EU or EEA country, on the basis of which a document indicating formal qualifications has been issued in that country, as referred to in the Union's recognition regulations, which is required in that country for the right to practise as a pharmacist independently; or a degree completed outside the EU or EEA, which has been recognized by an EU or EEA country and has granted the right to practise as a pharmacist or the right to use the title in that country.

Doctor of Health Sciences
An applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university; or an applicable Master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country qualifies for equivalent higher education studies

Major subjects

In the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the major subject is selected in accordance with the field of research.

Below is a list of majors by research field, with the person responsible for each major indicated in parentheses.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy (Jarkko Rautio)

Toxicology (Jaana Rysä)

Biomedicine

Biomedicine (Mikko Hiltunen)

Computational Biomedicine (Merja Heinäniemi)

Molecular Medicine  (Alejandra Sierra Lopez)

Dentistry

Dental Radiology (Juhana Hakumäki)

Oral Pathology (Ahmed Al-Samadi)

Cariology and Endodontics (Jukka Leinonen)

Pediatric Dentistry (Jukka Leinonen)

Periodontology (Tuomas Saxlin)

Prosthetic Dentistry and Stomatognathic Physiology (Outi Huhtela)

Orthodontics (Lucas Arrais de Campos)

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Jari Kellokoski)

Oral Public Health (Liisa Suominen)

Translational Dentistry (Pirkko Pussinen)

Medicine

Emergency Medicine (Jouni Kurola)

Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (Matti Reinikainen)

Physiology (Timo Lakka)

Geriatrics (Eija Lönnroos)

Dermatology and Venereology (Tiina Lipitsä)

Pulmonary Diseases (Minna Purokivi)

Surgery (incl. Physiatrics) (Heikki Kröger)

Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine (Tomi Latinen)

Clinical Chemistry (Tuija Männistö)

Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (Tuure Kinnunen)

Clinical Neurophysiology (Sara Määttä)

Clinical Pathology and Forensic Medicine (Tuomas Rauramaa)

Diagnostic Radiology (Juhana Hakumäki)

Otorhinolaryngology (Sanna Toppila-Salmi)

Child Psychiatry (Ilona Luoma)

Paediatrics (Jarmo Jääskeläinen)

Exercise Medicine (Kai Savonen)

Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Leea Keski-Nisula)

Neurosurgery (Ville Leinonen)

Neurology (Reetta Kälviäinen)

Forensic Psychiatry (Markku Lähteenvuo)

Palliative Medicine (Reino Pöyhiä)

Psychiatry (incl. Adolescent Psychiatry) (Minna Valkonen-Korhonen)

Ophthalmology (Kai Kaarniranta)

Internal Medicine (Johanna Kuusisto)

Oncology (Outi Kuittinen)

Community Health (Harri Hyppölä)

Occupational Health (Tuula Oksanen)

General Practice (Pekka Mäntyselkä)

Health Sciences

Epidemiology (Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen)

Nursing Science (Marja Härkänen)

Public Health (Jussi Kauhanen)

Nutrition Science (Ursula Schwab)

Health Promotion (Tiina Laatikainen)

Ergonomics and Well-Being at Work (Annina Ropponen)

Applicants to the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Health Sciences must hold or be in the 
process of completing a higher education degree suitable for the doctoral programme. In 
addition, the applicant must have an ongoing or planned research project suitable for a 
dissertation, for which the research plan has been approved by suitable supervisors and the 
person responsible for the major subject. 

The preparedness and commitment of eligible applicants to the successful completion of 
doctoral studies are assessed using the following criteria: 

• the innovativeness of the research topic, its scientific and practical significance, and its 
suitability for the research profile of the research site and the doctoral programme 
• the quality, clarity, and feasibility of the research plan 
• the applicant's evidence of previous research work, e.g. work as a researcher, scientific 
publications 
• research funding 
• the competencies provided by previous studies for completing a doctoral degree 
• the language proficiency required for the studies

When making admission decisions, the sufficiency, expertise, and commitment of supervision 
are taken into account. The applicant must have at least two supervisors, one of whom is the main supervisor, and at least one of whom must be a member of staff at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. All supervisors must hold a doctoral degree. The main supervisor must hold the academic title of docent or possess equivalent scholarly qualifications. If the main supervisor is not a member of University's staff, the supervisor who belongs to the University's staff must also hold the academic title of docent or possess equivalent scholarly qualifications.

The preparedness, motivation, and commitment of applicants to doctoral studies may also be 
assessed through interviews. 

Study right to doctoral studies in Finland does not include scholarship or funding.

1. The applicant discusses the possibility to pursue doctoral studies in the department or school with the potential supervisor or with the person responsible of the academic subject. Further information may also be asked from the contact persons of the doctoral programme.
2. The applicant discusses the research topic, doctoral studies and their completion, funding, as well as other supervisors with the main supervisor. The prospective doctoral researcher and their supervisors must negotiate and agree on responsibilities and commitment to supervising the researcher's research project.
3. The applicant must have at least two supervisors, one of whom is the main supervisor, and at least one of whom must be a member of staff at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. All supervisors must hold a doctoral degree. The main supervisor must hold the academic title of docent or possess equivalent scholarly qualifications. If the main supervisor is not a member of the University staff, the supervisor who belongs to the University's staff must also hold the academic title of docent or possess equivalent scholarly qualifications. In case the applicant has more than three supervisors, the need for more than three supervisors and their roles should be justified in the research plan. All supervisors and the person responsible for the major subject must give their written consent on the research plan.
4. The applicant draws up a research plan. Please, see further instructions in ‘Research plan’.
5. The applicant draws up a funding plan for the doctoral research project. Please, see further instructions in ‘Funding plan’.
6. The right to pursue doctoral studies is applied at Studyinfo site. Please note: Partially filled application form cannot be saved. You have to have all the obligatory attachments ready once you start filling the application form. 

Following documents should be attached to the application: 

• A research plan approved and signed by the supervisors and the person responsible for 
  the major subject (see section Research plan). The research plan shall include a description of the statutory permits and statements required for the study and/or a plan for obtaining them. If the applicant’s research is connected to previously initiated research, the research plan must state when the applicant was added to the permit or statement.
  • A funding plan approved and signed by the main supervisor (see section Funding plan)
  • A degree certificate and transcript of academic records for the previous higher university 
  degree (official translations into Finnish or English where necessary). If the higher 
  university degree has not yet been completed at the time of applying for the study right 
  for doctoral studies, the applicant must submit a transcript of academic records for the 
  ongoing degree and plan for completing the higher university degree. 
  • A CV including a list of publications, if applicable. 
  • A statement from the main supervisor on the competencies provided by the applicant's 
  prerequisite degree for completing a doctoral degree and on the possible need for 
  supplementary studies (download model template). 
  • Proof of sufficient Finnish or English language proficiency. 

Processing of the application 

The faculty requests supplementary information for the application where necessary. All 
attachments and information requested in the supplementary request must be submitted within seven (7) days of the request being communicated to the applicant via Studyinfo. The Vice Dean (Research and Innovation) decides on the granting of the study right for doctoral studies based on the proposal of the vice head of the department or unit responsible for research, 
approximately within three months of the application being submitted in Studyinfo. 

When granting the study right, the faculty confirms the topic and major subject of the research, appoints the supervisors of the research, and determines the possible need for supplementary studies. The faculty sends notification of the decision to the applicant, the supervisors, the vice head of the department or unit responsible for research, and Student and Learning Services. 

The study place must be accepted in the Studyinfo service within seven (7) days of the decision 
being sent. The applicant and supervisors are also notified of a negative decision with 
justifications. In addition, the applicant is provided with instructions on how to appeal.

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient academic language proficiency in either Finnish or 
English at the time of application. Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in either 
language regardless of the language in which the dissertation will be written. 

Applicants must either (a) meet the criteria for demonstrating language proficiency (see below) 
or (b) achieve the minimum scores required by the University of Eastern Finland in an accepted 
language test. Language proficiency cannot be demonstrated by other means.

The ways to demonstrate Finnish language proficiency are described on the university's website at: Hakeminen | Itä-Suomen yliopisto.  

The guidelines for demonstrating academic English language proficiency are presented below. 

Applicants must prove their English language skills when applying. They must either (a) meet the language proficiency criteria (see below), or (b) reach the minimum required language test 
results to be considered eligible to the University of Eastern Finland. No other degrees or 
statements of language proficiency will be accepted. Please note that a written statement by the 
applicant, prospective supervisor, English teacher, etc., is not an adequate proof of the 
applicant's sufficient English skills. 

a) Applicants who meet the language proficiency criteria 
• English test completed in the Finnish matriculation examination (IB Diploma or English as 
A1 language). 
• Secondary education completed in English language in EU/EEA -countries, the United 
States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or in Switzerland.  
• A Bachelor’s, Master’s or higher degree completed in English language in EU/EEA -
countries, or in one of the following countries: Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, 
Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, 
Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, 
Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Ruanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint 
Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South-Africa, Switzerland, 
Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe.   

The degree/programme must have been taught and assessed entirely in English. If applicants 
verify language skills with their previous degree, the language of instruction must be clearly 
indicated on the educational documents. Online studies or studies completed on offshore 
campuses outside the accepted countries/area cannot be used to indicate language skills, even if the degree-awarding institution is in one of the accepted countries. The application must include the degree certificate, the Diploma Supplement, or a transcript of records indicating the 
language of instruction of the completed degree. 

b) Applicants have taken one of the following language tests and reached the minimum required language test results 
• TOEFL iBT, overall score 90 or tests completed after 21 January 2026 score 4.5, minimum 
22 or tests completed after 21 January 2026 score 4.5 in writing. 
• IELTS (academic) overall score 6.5, minimum 6.0 in writing 
• PTE (academic), overall score 62, minimum 54 in writing 
• C1 Advanced overall score C or 180, with minimum 162 in writing 
• C2 Proficiency overall score level C1 or 180, with minimum 162 in writing 
• National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI): level 5 in all different subtests (reading 
comprehension, writing, and speaking).   

TOEFL, IELTS and PTE certificates are valid for two years from the day they are issued. The 
language test needs to be in effect when submitting the application during the application 
period. The language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organizer.  

When applying for doctoral study right, a research plan must be attached to the application. The applicant prepares the plan with their supervisors, and it must be approved by them and the person responsible of the academic subject. The research plan must cover the entire doctoral dissertation. The research plan is drafted in English or Finnish.

Coverpage: Includes name of the applicant, title of the research plan, information of the supervisors, the person responsible of the academic subject and their signatures. We recommend to use UEF Sign, the electronic signature system.

Research plan: The maximum length of the research plan is four pages including the list of references. The research plan can include the following information, for example:

1. Background
   • a short summary of the background to the research with necessary sources (including the theoretical and methodological basis)
   • a description of earlier research related to the topic
   • a description of what remains unknown about the research topic and an explanation of the research’s relevance on a national and/or international scale
2. Aims
   • the research hypotheses
   • the aims of the research clearly defined and presented
3. Materials and methods
   • a description of the research methods and materials used, and the grounds for choosing the particular methods
   • a description of how the materials will be handled and used (also after the research has been completed)
   • a working plan, a plan for different stages of the work
4. Schedule
   • a description and a schedule for the different stages of the work
5. The ethical aspects of the research
   • the ethical aspects of the research. The research plan shall include a description of the statutory permits and statements required for the study and/or a plan for obtaining them. If the applicant’s research is connected to previously initiated research, the research plan must state when the applicant was added to the permit or statement.
6. Publication plan
   • the means and mode of publishing and/or presenting the research results
7. Applications of research results
   • an estimation of the applications and the social significance of the research results
8. References
   • a list of the research field’s principal literature used for the research
9. The names of the persons and units participating in the research project

A funding plan is a compulsory part of the application and a funding plan approved by the supervisor is submitted as a separate attachment (template) in Studyinfo.fi. The funding plan needs to include a preliminary budget for the whole duration of the planned project showing that all costs are covered with specifications on items of expenditure, such as own salary/grant, research costs (materials, reagents, equipment, licences), travel costs and potential other costs and source of funding for each item. 

Funding should be planned together with the thesis supervisors. Research funding can be applied from various foundations as grants or from the university as paid doctoral research positions. Funding may also be available from established research projects. 

More information on different funding options is available in Kamu.

At the Faculty of Health Sciences, a doctoral dissertation may take the form of either an article-based dissertation or a monograph. An article-based dissertation consists of scientific publications or manuscripts accepted or intended for publication that address the same research problem, together with a summary. A monograph, in turn, is a single, coherent study.

More detailed information on the requirements for article-based and monograph dissertations can be found in KAMU.

A doctoral degree requires a doctoral dissertation and doctoral studies (30 ECTS credits), which consist of general transferable skills studies (5–10 credits) and studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS credits). Your personal study plan for doctoral studies should be designed to support your dissertation research and research career.

The target for a full-time doctoral researcher engaged in scientific and skills training is to complete the dissertation and doctoral degree within three to four years.

More detailed information on the study requirements of the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Health Sciences can be found in KAMU.

Study guidance and supervision for doctoral researchers

General study guidance for doctoral researchers at the Faculty of Health Sciences is provided by the Academic Affairs Specialist and the Coordinators. Their contact details can be found at the bottom of the page.

Supervision of the doctoral dissertation is the responsibility of the appointed supervisors.

More information on the supervision of doctoral research can be found in KAMU.

Visiting doctoral researchers can apply for a temporary study right from UEF using the Study Right of Visiting Doctoral Researchers form. 

The study right can be admitted to visiting foreign doctoral researchers, who already have a permission for doctoral studies in their home university. The study right of a visiting doctoral researcher does not allow a student to complete doctoral degree at UEF. 

In order for the agreement to be finalised, the doctoral researcher must have confirmed a supervisor at the UEF as well as their own funding arranged for the duration of the visit. UEF does not offer funding for the visit. These requirements ensure that the researcher is fully supported academically and financially throughout their stay at UEF. 

For more information, contact [email protected].