Changing your target degree or major subject

Change within the doctoral programme and faculty

If you wish to change your major subject or target degree within the doctoral programme and faculty, apply for the change using a separate form.

Attach the following to your application:

• a new research plan
• written consent from your supervisors
• certificates of your previous studies

When your application is processed, your background studies will be checked for suitability for the new major subject. You must have completed 30 ECTS credits of studies in the major subject of the doctoral degree or in a suitable closely related subject.

The change to your study right is granted by decision of the Dean. If you are granted an entirely new study right, for example due to a change in the field of education, your previous study right will be terminated by the same decision. If the organisational unit of your study right changes within the faculty, this will also be recorded in the Dean’s decision.

Apply for a change of target degree or major subject within the doctoral programme using this form.

Changing faculty

If you wish to change faculty, you must reapply for a study right. In this case as well, your previous study right will be terminated when the new one begins.

Rules concerning study rights

• You may only hold one valid study right leading to a doctoral degree at the same level at the University of Eastern Finland at any given time (Education Regulations, Section 14).
• You may renounce your study right by notifying the university in writing (Education Regulations, Section 15).

Find out more about renouncing your study right in Kamu.

A doctoral researcher can apply for a change of major subject and/or target degree within the Faculty’s doctoral programme using the Webropol form. An application for a change of major subject and/or target degree must be submitted no later than before submitting the doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination, and the application must be accompanied by the consent of the main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies. Any change in the major subject and/or target degree and any change in the Faculty unit (school or department) is confirmed by a Dean’s decision. Changing the major subject and/or target degree replaces the previous right to study and requires that the degree is completed in accordance with the study requirements of the LUMETO doctoral programme.

If a change in the major subject and/or target degree requires a change of faculty, the doctoral researcher must apply for a new right to study in accordance with the application instructions and application deadlines of the doctoral programme in question. A doctoral researcher may only have one valid study right leading to an academic licentiate or doctoral degree at the University of Eastern Finland. A doctoral researcher may renounce the right to study by notifying the university in writing. You can find more detailed information on the Kamu page terminating or suspending your studies.

If the research topic, content, or structure of the doctoral dissertation or licentiate thesis (e.g. changing from an article-based dissertation to a monograph-based dissertation) changes significantly compared to the research plan approved by the faculty, a new research plan must be submitted to the faculty. The change is confirmed by a Dean’s decision. You can submit a new research plan to the faculty’s Academic Affairs Specialists at [email protected].

Changing the target degree

If you wish to change your target degree within the doctoral programme and faculty, complete the separate application form: Application form for changing target degree (link opens in new tab)

Submit your application before you submit your dissertation for preliminary examination at the latest.

The change of target degree is confirmed by decision of the Dean.

Changing your major subject within the doctoral programme

You can apply to change your major subject during your studies.

How to apply for a change of major subject:

• Complete the application form (link opens in new tab).
• Attach a new research plan, written consent from your supervisors and certificates of your previous studies.
• Send your application and attachments to [email protected].

Submit your application before you submit your dissertation for preliminary examination at the latest.

The change of major subject is confirmed by decision of the Dean.

Choosing and changing your target degree

You choose the degree you will complete (target degree) either at the application stage or during your studies (by changing your target degree). However, the choice must be made before you submit your dissertation for preliminary examination at the latest.

Apply for a change of target degree using the form available on Kamu: Application form for changing target degree (link opens in new tab)

Changing your major subject within the doctoral programme

As a doctoral researcher, you can apply to change your major subject during your studies. Attach a new research plan, written consent from your supervisors and certificates of your previous studies to your application. A new study right is granted by decision of the Dean, and your previous study right is terminated by the same decision.

Apply for a change of major subject using the form available in Kamu: Application form for changing doctoral programme or major subject (link opens in new tab)