Doctoral studies consist of at least 30 ECTS of studies, including transferable skills studies (5–10 ECTS) and studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS). The aim is that full-time doctoral researchers complete the required studies primarily during the first two years and submit their dissertations for preliminary examination within three years of receiving the doctoral study right.
More information about the courses and course descriptions can be found in UEF Study Guide in Peppi.
Transferable skills studies (5–10 ECTS)
UEF Researcher Training Services (ReTS) provides transferable skills studies for all doctoral researchers in collaboration with the Library, the Language Centre, Communications and the Research and Innovation Services. The transferable skills studies include courses related to research skills, language and communication skills, research management and career skills. The LUMETO doctoral programme recommends participation in the course Orientation – First 100 Days (1 ECTS), open science studies and studies that support the writing of funding applications and/or research project management to be included in the personal study plan in addition to the compulsory transferable skills studies. In addition, the transferable skills studies may include other courses that promote working life skills.
Compulsory transferable skills studies in the LUMETO doctoral programme
Optional transferable research skills studies in the LUMETO doctoral programme
Studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS)
Studies in the discipline and field of research include courses that support research and are mainly at the level of advanced studies. The main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies assesses the suitability of the courses for doctoral studies. In the LUMETO doctoral programme, courses organised by other faculties and doctoral programmes as well as other studies that support the research work (e.g. summer schools and seminars) may be accepted for studies in the discipline and field of research. In addition, suitable courses organised by other Finnish and foreign higher education institutions or networks (e.g. YUFE) may be included in the studies in the discipline and field of research.
Compulsory studies in the discipline and field of research in the LUMETO doctoral programme
Compulsory studies in the discipline and field of research include a discipline-specific research seminar (2 ECTS, in computer science 1–5 ECTS). The completion of a research seminar includes a scientific presentation related to one’s own doctoral research as well as following the presentations of other doctoral researchers in accordance with the requirements of each department/school. Research seminars are organised annually.
Optional studies in the discipline and field of research in the LUMETO doctoral programme
Participation in international scientific conferences may be included in studies in the discipline and field of research, provided that the doctoral researcher has prepared a poster for the conference or given an oral presentation there. One presentation (poster or oral presentation) can be credited with 1 ECTS, and scientific conferences a maximum of 3 ECTS in total.
Examinations in scientific literature or theory of science and scientific methodology in the field of a doctoral dissertation or licentiate thesis may be accepted for studies in the discipline and field of research. The methods of completion are essay/essays or book exam. The method of completion, the topic and scope of the essay and the book to be included in the exam must be agreed upon with the main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies. A total of 1–5 ECTS can be obtained from the scientific literature or the theory of science and scientific methodology.
Personal study plan for doctoral researchers
The doctoral researcher must prepare a personal study plan in cooperation with the main supervisor. If the main supervisor is not employed by the University of Eastern Finland, the UEF supervisor is responsible for the study plan and matters related to doctoral studies. If there are several UEF supervisors, it must be agreed which of them is responsible. The doctoral researcher’s personal study plan must follow the study requirements of the doctoral programme. The main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies approves and signs the personal study plan. The personal study plan must be submitted to the contact person of the discipline within three (3) months of the start of the doctoral study right. In the LUMETO doctoral programme the personal study plan is prepared using a Webropol form.
As graduation approaches, the eligibility of completed doctoral studies must be reviewed by the contact person of the discipline and the personal study plan must be updated to correspond with the completed courses, if there have been any changes to the personal study plan. It is recommended to check the personal study plan when the doctoral dissertation is submitted for preliminary examination, at the latest.
Expiry of studies and recognition of prior learning
In the LUMETO doctoral programme, as a rule, courses included in doctoral studies may be no more than 10 years old. The teaching unit at University of Eastern Finland in which a study attainment is completed shall decide on the recognition of prior learning as well as the expiry of previous studies. The UEF Language Centre and the Researcher Training Services (ReTS) do not grant credit transfers for the doctoral courses they organise. The proposal to the department or school on the recognition of studies completed elsewhere for doctoral studies is made by the main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies. Credit transfer requires that prior studies or otherwise acquired competence correspond to the learning outcomes set for the doctoral degree and its parts (Education Regulations, Section 38). The application for recognition of prior learning must include a certificate or a copy of an official transcript of records (including the university’s stamp), as well as a course description, including the number of contact hours and independent study hours, for the assessment of the ECTS credits. The doctoral dissertation or licentiate thesis cannot be transferred. In addition, courses cannot be transferred from a degree that has given eligibility to apply. Further information on the recognition of prior learning is available on UEF Intra (requires login).
Transitional provisions
A doctoral researcher who has been granted the doctoral study right at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology before 1 August 2023 can complete their degree according to the study requirements of the Doctoral Programme in Environmental Physics, Health and Biology (EPHB), Forests and Forest Bioresources (FORES), and the Doctoral Programme in Science, Technology and Computing (SCITECO) or older doctoral programmes until 31 July 2027 or transfer to complete their degree in accordance with the study requirements of the LUMETO doctoral programme. If the doctoral studies have been completed and the study modules (transferable skills studies and studies in the discipline and field of research) have been compiled and locked in the student and study register before 31 July 2027, they will remain valid even if the degree is still in progress. Study attainments planned for the personal study plan that have not been recorded in the student and study register by 31 July 2023 will no longer be accepted as study attainments if they are no longer acceptable in the study requirements that entered into force on 1 August 2023.
The degree of Doctor of Science (Technology) or Licentiate of Science (Technology) can only be completed in accordance with the study requirements of the LUMETO doctoral programme. The study requirements of the previous doctoral programmes (i.e. EPHB, FORES and SCITECO or older doctoral programmes) cannot be applied to the target degrees in the field of technology.
