The curriculum is the most important instrument to guide your studies. The curriculum describes the objectives, structures and contents of the degree. Updated annually, the <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units">teaching schedule</a> provides information on teaching. The correspondences between the previous and the current curricula are presented in the data on each course unit.

<h4>Structure of studies</h4>

The curriculum feature the scope, structure and contents of post-graduate degree studies. In addition to the studies outlined in the curriculum, the Faculty may require the student to complete the necessary amount of supplementary studies in order to achieve the competence required for post-graduate studies. The supplementary studies cannot be counted towards the degree.

The studies of postgraduate degrees must total at least 40 credits, including the major subject  (i.e. discipline-specific studies, at least 25 credits), and studies of general competences (at least 10 credits).

The major subject of the degree is determined by the field of research in question. The major subject contents are always customised personally, but a general requirement is that the major subject studies must provide solid theoretical knowledge in the dissertation's field of research and form an appropriate entity. All major subject studies must be of post-graduate or advanced master's level studies.

Studies of general competences are to prepare the student for scientific work and familiarise him/her with the application and distribution of research knowledge. Typically, these studies are not tied to any field of research. They support the doctoral student's research competencies and work on the dissertation, doctoral studies, and employment after degree completion. The aims of this kind of transferable skills studies is to familiarize the student with the theory and philosophy of science, the knowledge of research ethics and a good scientific practice, to attain a competence to research project management, utilization of research results and entrepreneurship, to improve academic writing and communications skills and to develop pedagogical, management and other skills for various expert tasks in the future.

<h4>Studies included in postgraduate degree</h4>

Postgraduate studies are usually conducted in the form of courses, seminars, summer/winter schools, or literature. All post-graduate studies must be of university level. Studies completed elsewhere are subject to the same requirements as studies completed at the home university. More information about completion methods can be found on the next chapter.

The structure and content of postgraduate studies is always personal, and students must have their postgraduate study plan approved by the Programme. The plan must specify the student's degree modules and their credit accumulation. More information on having your study plan approved is available at  <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni/5833/4704?page=4246">The personal study plan (PSP) of a doctoral student page</a> under the programme specific instructions.

In postgraduate degrees, all major subject studies must be of postgraduate or advanced master's level studies. Studies of general competences can also include courses corresponding to the advanced studies of the master's degree programme. The approval of other kinds of studies is decided on a case-by-case basis.

The scientific studies and credits described below can be included in postgraduate studies:

1. Courses 
Students can browse the courses that have been approved for advanced or postgraduate studies with different sorting criteria in the curriculum. 

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units?year=2021">Courses in the electronic curriculum</a>

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/public/2021-12/dpcee_opintojaksojen-valinta_en.pdf">Information and tips for selecting courses</a></div></figure>

2. Seminars and courses with changing content 
 The courses and seminars with changing content have fixed course codes but their subject and content are different during each implementation round. Students can include as many of these courses and seminars (with a different subject in each implementation round) to their postgraduate studies as they want. Students may include individual postgraduate seminars in their postgraduate studies as any other regular university courses. The student's post-graduate transcript of record must also indicate the specific topics of the seminars.

3. Studies from outside the home university 
 On the recommendation of the postgraduate study supervisor, it is possible to include postgraduate-level studies taken in other universities in Finland or abroad into the postgraduate degree. The student needs to present for the doctoral programme's approval a transcript of records for the studies taken outside the home university and a description of the studies, e.g. an extract from the study guide, seminar programme, etc. 
Studies from outside the home university must be applied and accepted through the Sisu system.

4. Literature 
 Behind the linked file below are listed books that are approved as part of postgraduate studies at the named fields of research. Book-specific performance requirements and numbers of credits are also included.

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/public/2022-11/jatko-opintokirjallisuus_dpcee-3.xlsx">Literature approved for doctoral studies (xlsx)</a></div></figure>

5. Personal special credits 
Post-graduate studies can include studies from the common curriculum (courses, seminars, literature), as well as personal special credits that can be counted towards the major subject or general scientific studies in a manner accepted by the faculty. Requirements and acceptance of special attainments are explained in this attachment:

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/public/2020-02/opas_dpcee_erityissuoritukset2_en.pdf">Personal special credits (pdf)</a></div></figure>

 

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/public/2021-10/erityissuoritukset_lomake_engl.rtf">Application form for personal special credits (rtf)</a></div></figure>

Doctoral Programme of Computing and Electrical Engineering (DPCEE)

Students who pursue a doctoral or licentiate degree in the Doctoral Programme in the Built Environment must complete at least 40 credits worth of studies, including "Discipline- and field-specific studies" (at least 25 credits) and "General academic competencies" (at least 10 credits).

In discipline- and field-specific studies students acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field of their doctoral dissertation and improve their ability to write scientific texts and create new knowledge.

In general academic competencies students acquire a strong command of research methodologies. Studies include the mandatory research ethics -courses I and II. Courses e.g. on scientific writing and knowledge management may also be included in the general academic competencies.

The doctoral student's study plan has to be confirmed by the head of the doctoral programme (please see Student guide, <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=4246&amp;search=psp">The personal study plan (PSP) of a doctoral student</a>)

In addition, the programme's steering committee may require doctoral students to complete a specific number of so-called supplementary studies to ensure that they acquire the necessary skills and competencies to complete a doctoral degree. Possible supplementary studies are not counted towards the doctoral degree.

For info on studies counted towards the doctoral degree, please see Student guide page <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni/5833/4704?page=4238">Gaining credit points in doctoral studies</a>.

Doctoral Programme in Built Environment (RYTO)

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes?year=2021&amp;organisation=tuni-org-1010000007&amp;degreeProgrammeType=doctor">The curriculum and teaching schedule of the doctoral programmes</a> at the Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC) can be found in the Student's Guide.

Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC)

Curriculum

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/uta-tohjelma-1703?year=2023">Doctoral Programme of Education and Society</a>

Faculty of Education and Culture (EDU)

Common guidelines concerning studies that may be accepted for credit toward a postgraduate degree are as follows: 
(The guidelines for the development of doctoral education, approved by Academic Board of TUT on Monday 28 November, 2011)

<ul>
	<li>The field of a student's postgraduate studies must be connected to the research field of his/her dissertation. The studies and the dissertation must form a coherent whole.</li>
	<li>Only postgraduate studies completed at a university may be counted toward the degree. The requirements that are applied to studies completed at the university also apply to studies completed outside university.</li>
	<li>Student completes part of general academic competences in accordance with the degree regulations by attending the course Orientation to Doctoral Studies, 4 cr. In addition student needs to study a Research Ethics course, 1 cr. The courses need to be completed at an early stage of studies.</li>
	<li>Courses that are not marked as eligible for postgraduate studies can be included in the student's discipline- and field-specific studies, if they are essential to build knowledge in the research field. In that case, the courses need to be justified in a informal application submitted to the education specialist of the programme. Further conditions, such as minimum grade requirements, may be imposed on such studies.</li>
	<li>Publications and conference presentations cannot, per se, be counted toward the degree.</li>
</ul>

The structure of the degree requirements (beginning 1 August 2020)

The total scope of postgraduate studies shall be no less than 40 credits including:

<ul>
	<li>discipline- and field-specific studies (min. 25 credits)</li>
	<li>general academic competences (min. 10 credits)</li>
</ul>

The faculty may require persons admitted as postgraduate students to complete a necessary amount of supplementary studies to ensure that they attain the competencies needed to pursue postgraduate studies. These studies shall not count towards the degree.

In the old degree structure (before 1 August 2020) the degree comprised of 40 credits of postgraduate studies, of which min. 25 credits of major subject and min. 5 credits of general scientific studies. It is possible to graduate with the old degree requirements structure as far as 31.7.2024.

The content of the discipline- and field-specific studies

The field of a student's postgraduate studies must be connected to the research field of his/her dissertation. The faculty supports interdisciplinarity. That's why the major can include courses from other departments and universities besides the courses offered by the own department. The courses have to fulfill general criteria. Studies may include eg. courses, literature, seminars and summer or winter schools. The faculty confirms number of credits earned from different study attainments during the approval of degree requirements.

The content of the general academic competences

The meaning of the general academic competences is to prepare the students for scientific work and introduce him/her to applying and conveying scientific knowledge. The studies should also take into account the needs of the personal aims and student's future career. The minimum extent of the general academic competences is 10 cr. The course <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-117a97e1-c0ae-46d6-b5a5-11e50f9c5214?year=2021">TAU.TRI.102 Orientation to Doctoral Studies</a> (4 cr) is compulsory, or equivalent knowledge. In addition student needs to study either course <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-8720ae20-4eee-4b5d-8958-dcb08314845b?year=2021">TAU.TRI.203 Research Ethics I</a> (1 cr) or <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-c92097b8-2507-4cae-9601-63fc19d10ce0?year=2021">TAU.TRI.204 Research Ethics I, online</a> (1 cr). The courses need to be completed at an early stage of studies.

The module may contain courses for example from areas:

<ul>
	<li>research methods</li>
	<li>research methodology</li>
	<li>research ethics</li>
	<li>good scientific practice</li>
	<li>history and philosophy of science</li>
	<li>principles of scientific writing</li>
	<li>courses on communication</li>
	<li>business operations</li>
	<li>leadership</li>
	<li>commercialization of business</li>
	<li>A maximum of 5 credits worth of teacher's pedagogical studies or university pedagogics, with a good reason, be counted towards a doctoral degree.</li>
	<li>A maximum of 5 credits worth of foreign language courses may, with good reason, be counted towards a doctoral degree, provided that the courses are necessary for the successful completion of the doctoral dissertation and related research.</li>
	<li>A maximum of 5 credits worth of the course <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-42176?year=2021">DPENS.520 Transferable Skills in Practice</a></li>
</ul>

The module may include for example following courses:

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-42176?year=2021">DPENS.520 Transferable skills in practice</a>, 1-5 cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-a1fd693d-704c-43b1-96c9-7d9bdd978456?year=2021">LANG.ENG.010 Research Presentations</a>, 1-5 cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-f9b29e52-6db7-41f3-aaa6-d56ac396140a?year=2021">LANG.ENG.009 Writing for Research</a>, 1-5 cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-35930?year=2021">MATH.APP.450 Basic Course on Mathematical Modelling</a>, 5 cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-48439?year=2021">TIJO.310 New Knowledge - Creation and Tools</a>, 5 cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-48221?year=2021">TUTA.240 Project Management</a>, 5 cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/doctoral-school">The Doctoral School</a> offers courses for TUNI's PhD students</li>
</ul>

If a student wants to apply some basic level courses to his/her general academic competences, he/she needs to write a separate justification how a course enhances his/her career path and employability. The responsible supervisor has to support the reasoning.

Furthermore, the student may apply for a <a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/handbook?page=3173&amp;search=joo">JOO study right</a> to some other university. The responsible supervisor has to endorse the application.

Procedure for approving independent reading counted towards doctoral degrees

Approving independent reading counted towards a doctoral degree: 
Each department offers one or more courses towards which the credits for independent reading may be counted. These courses are:

•    <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/otm-cafbbd52-d838-4e85-936c-640420da74c7?year=2021">DPENS.530 Postgraduate studies in Physics</a>, 1-15 cr 
•    <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-42078?year=2021">DPENS.540 Postgraduate studies in Environmental and Energy Technology</a>, 2-8 cr 
•    <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-36351?year=2021">DPENS.550 Postgraduate Studies in Bioengineering</a>, 2-8 cr 
•    <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-41593?year=2021">DPENS.560 Postgraduate Studies in Chemistry</a>, 2-8 cr 
•    <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-38764?year=2021">MATH.MA.850 Mathematics Literature</a>, 0-10 cr

<ul>
</ul>

Procedure:

Contact the teacher to whom you want to examine literature. If the literature is already listed in the database, contact the teacher mentioned in the table. If the literature is not mentioned in the database, follow following guideline:

The unit-specific Teaching Committee / Management Group discusses the number of credits awarded for reading new scientific literature and the related requirements and assessment criteria based on a proposal prepared by a teacher. The credits counted towards a doctoral degree cannot be registered before this review has been completed. The head of the unit makes the decision in writing.

<ul>
	<li>The unit informs the Education Assistant of the scientific literature that can be counted towards a doctoral degree. The information is inserted to the database.</li>
	<li>The student completes the independent reading unit in accordance with the specific requirements.</li>
</ul>

Number of credits:

<ul>
	<li>The literature must meet specific criteria and may not be covered during other courses counted towards the degree.</li>
	<li>The number of credits carried by an independent reading module depends on the degree of difficulty of the literature. Doctoral students may earn approximately 1 credits/70 pages by reading literature that is relatively easy to read. They may earn approximately 5 credits/100 pages for reading theoretically challenging literature that is written in a concise style.</li>
</ul>

The Doctoral Programme recommends that students who complete an independent reading unit are expected to meet additional requirements besides taking an oral or written examination.

Doctoral students who have completed an independent reading unit and the related examination but have not yet had their degree requirements approved must follow the steps described above to have the credits counted towards their degree.

Confirming the degree requirements

The head of the programme decides on the degree requirements that a postgraduate student is excpected to complete after discussion in the committee of the doctoral programme. The student has discussed his/her motivation, targets after PhD and made a study plan which supports his/her future goals. The responsible supervisor has to endorse the application before the committee of the doctoral programme handles the issue.

If a student takes more courses than are required to complete the degree, the studies are not allowed to delay the graduation.

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/restricted/2021-08/intra_tlto_sisu_instructions_16082021_1.pdf">TLTO Sisu instructions (pdf)</a></div></figure>

Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO)

Students who pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Business and Technology Management must complete at least 40 credits worth of theoretical studies. In addition, doctoral students may be required to complete a specific number of so-called gateway courses to ensure that they acquire the necessary skills and competencies to complete a doctoral degree. Possible gateway courses are not counted towards your degree. 

The studies that you complete while pursuing a doctoral degree must be relevant to the field of your doctoral dissertation and form a coherent whole. You must agree on the exact content of your degree with your responsible supervisor. The preliminary study plan handed in with the application must be reviewed as soon as possible after your enrol at Tampere university. Only studies completed at a university may be counted towards a doctoral degree and all studies have to be on PhD-level.

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/restricted/2021-08/intra_toto_guidelines_for_studies_counted_towards_a_doctoral_degree_20082021.pdf">TOTO Guidelines for studies counted towards a doctoral degree (pdf)</a></div></figure>

<h2>Structure of doctoral studies</h2>

The scope of the studies is min. 40 credits

<ol>
	<li>Discipline- and field-specific studies (min. 25 credits)</li>
	<li>General academic competences (min. 10 credits)</li>
</ol>

Old degree structure: 
     1. Major subject (min. 25 credits) 
     2. General scientific studies (min. 5 credits)

There is a transition period going on and it is possible to graduate with the old degree structure as far as 31.7.2024.

<h2>Creating a psp in Sisu</h2>

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/restricted/2021-08/intra_toto_sisu_instructions_16082021_1.pdf">TOTO Sisu instructions (pdf)</a></div></figure>

Doctoral Programme in Business and Technology Management (TOTO)

Curricula:

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/uta-tohjelma-1714">Doctoral Programme of Humans and Technologies</a>

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/otm-9f3d803c-a7f8-4f20-a240-ebb360d11dac">Doctoral Programme in Language Studies</a>

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/uta-tohjelma-1756">Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts </a>

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/uta-tohjelma-1712?year=2020">Doctoral Programme in Information Studies and Interactive Media</a> (NOTE! this curriculum is valid until 31.7.2025)

Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences (DPMCP, DPII, DPHAT, DPLA)

The curriculum and teaching schedule of the doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET):

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/otm-f02bed81-02b0-4575-9329-65e0b53c572d">Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (DPMBBE)</a>

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/otm-b500e8d3-8f2e-4eb5-8232-1fcb47a385de?year=2020">Doctoral Programme in Medicine and Life Sciences (DPMLS)</a>

<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/degree-programmes/otm-f8182cab-5c38-4b93-8359-48bd95032b80?year=2020">Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (DPBMSE)</a>

Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET)

The instructions for the studies:

<figure role="group"><div class="embedded-file"><svg height="25" width="25" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><polygon points="22 18 22 20 2 20 2 18 0 18 0 20 0 22 2 22 22 22 24 22 24 20 24 18 22 18"></polygon><polygon points="12 18 18.55 11.46 17.09 10 13 14.09 13 2 11 2 11 14.09 6.91 10 5.46 11.46 12 18"></polygon></svg>Download<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/public/2021-03/ttito_studies_0.pdf">Guidelines</a></div></figure>

The structure of the degree requirements (beginning 1 August 2020)

The total scope of postgraduate studies shall be no less than 40 credits including:

<ul>
	<li>discipline- and field-specific studies (min. 25 credits)</li>
	<li>general academic competences (min.10 credits)</li>
</ul>

The faculty may require persons admitted as postgraduate students to complete a necessary amount of supplementary studies to ensure that they attain the competencies needed to pursue postgraduate studies. These studies shall not count towards the degree.

In the old degree structure (before 1 August 2020) the degree comprised of 40 credits of postgraduate studies, of which min. 25 credits of major subject and min. 5 credits of general scientific studies. It is possible to graduate with the old degree requirements structure as far as 31.7.2024.

Tampere University Student's Handbook

Curriculum of doctoral studies

Tampere University Student's Handbook

Curriculum of doctoral studies

OpenDoctoral Programme of Computing and Electrical Engineering (DPCEE)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Built Environment (RYTO)

OpenFaculty of Social Sciences (SOC)

OpenFaculty of Education and Culture (EDU)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Business and Technology Management (TOTO)

OpenFaculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences (DPMCP, DPII, DPHAT, DPLA)

OpenFaculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Engineereing Sciences (TTITO)