Grading of a doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology 

The doctoral dissertation is not graded and the doctoral degree is not awarded at the public examination. The dissertation is graded by the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, or by the Vice Dean (Research) during the transition period between semesters.

Opponent’s statement 

1. The opponent assesses the dissertation based on the faculty’s assessment criteria and prepares a statement proposing a grade for the dissertation. You can find the assessment criteria on the page Doctoral dissertation requirements at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology. 

2. The opponent submits the statement to the faculty’s Academic Affairs Specialist within two weeks of the public examination.  

3. The Academic Affairs Specialist forwards the statement to you and the custos. 

4. You inform the Academic Affairs Specialist in writing if you have any objections to the statement. 

Grading of the dissertation 

 
Your dissertation can be graded once the faculty has received the opponent’s statement and your response to it. 

The Faculty Council grades your dissertation based on the opponent’s statement at its monthly meetings (excluding July). The meeting schedule of the Faculty Council is available on the UEF Intranet (requires UEF login). 

During the transition period between semesters – that is, between the last Faculty Council meeting of the current semester and the first meeting of the following semester – the Vice Dean (Research) may grade the dissertation based on the opponent’s statement. 

The faculty’s Academic Affairs Specialist will inform you of the grade for your dissertation and record it in Peppi. 

Grading scale 

The grading scale depends on when the preliminary examination process for your dissertation began: 

• Preliminary examination process began before 1 August 2026: Your dissertation is graded on a scale of pass with distinction – pass – fail. If the opponent proposes a grade of pass with distinction, the faculty will also consult the preliminary examiners. 

• Preliminary examination process began on or after 1 August 2026: Your dissertation is graded on a scale of pass – fail. 

Request for rectification 

 
You may request for rectification of the grading decision from the University of Eastern Finland Board of Appeal within 14 days of being notified of the decision. Instructions can be found on the page Internal rectification procedure of the university. 

Please note that if you request for rectification, your degree certificate cannot be issued until the Board of Appeal has made its decision. The contents of an issued certificate will not be amended retrospectively. 

Applying for a doctoral degree 

 
You can apply for a doctoral degree once your dissertation has been graded and you have completed all the studies included in the doctoral degree. Instructions can be found on the page Graduating with a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology. LINKKI PUUTTUU