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Tampere University

Interdisciplinary high-quality research for health

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology invests in high-quality research. The Doctoral Programme aim to produce excellent, innovative, internationally known and impressive research data and new innovations that can be used in health care and society more broadly.

Central to the expertise of the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering are clinical medicine, biomedicine, translational research, molecular biology, bioinformatics and systems biology, cell & tissue technology, biomaterials, biomedical equipment and technology, biophysics and health technology. In these areas of focus, the programme offers internationally high levels of education and produces PhDs, which are competitive researchers and experts both at home and abroad. In the program, all research is international, and many students apply from abroad.

Graduates from the Programme have smoothly transitioned to working life. The training also includes study modules on general professional skills, such as written and oral communication skills, and project management, problem solving and teamwork skills. Doctoral education contributes to the development of new biomedical devices and related methods, medical skills required in patient care, and the development and evidence-based utilization of new therapies.

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Programme-specific information on how to apply

How to apply for doctoral programmes

Opiskelijoita työskentelemässä ryhmissä luokassa

Type

Postgraduate degree

Degree earned

Doctor of Health Sciences

Doctor of Medical Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Science (Tech)

Planned duration

4 years

City

Tampere

Campus

Kauppi Campus, Hervanta Campus

Study objectives

Doctoral professional expertise builds during research and courses and acting as a part of the academic community. The goal of the postgraduate education is that a student

1. Has a thorough knowledge of his / her field of research and its social significance.
2. Is able to apply independently and critically the methods of scientific research and to create new scientific knowledge.
3. Is well aware of the development of his / her field of research, basic problems and research methods.
4. Possesses general scientific theory and knowledge of other disciplines related to their field of research which allow their development to be monitored.
5. Has sufficient communication, language and other skills to work in demanding professional tasks.
6. Is able to use appropriate research methods and knows how to apply them in practice.
7. Is familiar with the health and safety procedures and is able to apply them in their own research environment.
8. Understands and adheres to relevant ethical procedures when conducting research on humans, human tissue and animals.

Postgraduate studies must be conducted in accordance with the Research Ethics Guidelines of the Research Ethics Advisory Board (TENK).

Study contents

The core competencies of the Doctoral Program in Medicine,Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering are clinical medicine, biomedicine, translational research, molecular biology, bioinformatics and systems biology, cell and tissue technology, biomaterials, biomedical equipment and technology, biology. The program provides high-level international education in these priority areas and produces doctors who are competitive researchers and experts both domestically and abroad.

The doctoral degree corresponds to the amount of work that can be done on a full-time basis over four years. The degree can also be taken on a part-time basis. The degree consists of doctoral studies, which must have a total of 40 ECTS, and a dissertation and its public defense, 200 ECTS.

You can find the programme curriculum at the Student's Guide.

Carefully read through the admissions requirements before applying. For additional questions on applying, application documents and application process, please contact met.doc.tau [at] tuni.fi.

Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering

Continuous doctoral admission, spring 2021

4.1.-28.5.2021

Eligibility criteria

According to section 37 of the Universities Act (558/2009), a person must have received one of the
following to be eligible for admission to doctoral studies:

an applicable higher university degree
an applicable higher polytechnic degree
an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding higher education.

The Universities Act further stipulates that a university may require a doctoral student to take supplementary courses to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to earn a doctoral degree in the arts or sciences.

According to Article 20 of the Degree Rule of the University of Tampere, a person who fulfils the applicability as defined in Article 37 of the University Act may be admitted as a student.

The university may require a person who has admitted to scientific or artistic postgraduate studies as a student to complete the necessary number of supplementary studies in order to achieve the capacity required in education.

In addition to their eligibility, the applicants' study and research plans and the adequacy of faculty resources to provide the teaching and necessary guidance related to education are taken into account.

The Faculty Council shall decide in more detail on the conditions and criteria for admission to postgraduate scientific and artistic degrees, unless otherwise provided or stipulated. The dean accepts graduate students to be admitted to the faculty.

Doctor of Medical Science (MD, PhD)

For doctoral studies leading to the Doctor of Medical Science degree, the faculty may admit applicants who hold the Finnish degree of Licentiate in Medicine or a corresponding degree from an institution of higher education abroad.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For doctoral studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the faculty may admit applicants who have

earned a Master's degree in Finland
earned a Master's degree or a corresponding degree in a country other than Finland
demonstrated their knowledge in some other way.

Doctor of Health Sciences (D.H.Sc)

For doctoral studies leading to the Doctor of Health Sciences degree, the faculty may admit applicatns who hold the Finnish degree of Master of Health Sciences or a corresponding degree from an institution of higher education abroad.

Doctor of Science (Technology), (D.Sc. (Tech.))

For doctoral studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the faculty may admit applicants who have

earned a Master's degree in Finland
earned a Master's degree or a corresponding degree in a country other than Finland
demonstrated their knowledge in some other way.

Licentiate of Philosophy

According to section 23 of the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004), a doctoral student may apply for the licentiate degree after he/she has completed the postgraduate studies required for a licentiate degree as determined by the University. An integral part of the licentiate degree is the licentiate thesis, through which the student must demonstrate that he/she is well-versed in his/her own research field and can apply research methods independently and critically.

The faculty issues more specific admissions criteria and selects the students to be admitted.

Language skill requirements

All applicants must submit evidence on a good command of English for academic purposes. There are two ways of indicating English language proficiency: language tests and previous studies.

Additional information and how to submit the language test results.

The minimum English language test result requirements

Test name	Minimum test result
TOEFL iBT / TOEFL iBT (Special) Home Edition	92 overall, with no section below 20
TOEFL PBT	580
IELTS (academic) / IELTS Indicator	6.5 overall, with no section below 5.5
PTE (academic)	62 overall, with no section below 54
C1 Advanced*	C
C2 Proficiency*	C1
Finnish National Certificate of Language Proficiency (English)	Proficiency level 5

*The previous CAE and CPE have been renamed as C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency

Exemptions to the language requirements

It is possible to be exempted from submitting a language test score if you have completed a higher education degree in English in certain countries. If you apply without a valid language test result, carefully examine the exemptions that your studies fulfil the requirements.

Faculty-specific exemptions to the language requirements

Doctoral Programme may differ from the language test requirement of an individual applicant if the applicant has worked or works in the research group and the responsible supervisor has verified that the applicant has sufficient language skills for completing graduate studies.

Admission procedure

In addition to general eligibility conditions, the Faculty’s Doctoral Programme’s Steering Group evaluates the suitability, capacity and commitment of applicants to the successful completion of postgraduate studies with the following criteria:

Basic degree and adequate basic knowledge as defined in the application for further education from the field of research
Scientific quality, realism and ethical aspects of the postgraduate study and research plan
Suitability of research subject for doctoral programme
Scientific and practical significance of the research topic
Success in undergraduate studies and undergraduate thesis grade. If undergraduate thesis has been judged only by approved, acquaints guidance group, where appropriate, to the content of the thesis.
Adequate methodical and theoretical capabilities
Language skills required for studies *
Adequacy of supervising resources

If necessary, the steering group may assess the applicant's suitability and motivation by interviewing applicant.

*Doctoral Programme may differ from the language test requirement of an individual applicant if the applicant has worked or works in the research group and the responsible supervisor has verified that the applicant has sufficient language skills for completing graduate studies.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through an electronic application system at studyinfo.fi. Please see more information at What is study info?. A link to the application form is available during the application period. In spring 2021 the application period is 4 January - 28 May. The application period ends at 15.00 (Finnish time).

Each postgraduate student must choose a field of study for their dissertation or licentiate thesis and find a supervisor (a professor or docent) from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology. Together with the supervisor, the student should also propose members for the dissertation follow-up group.

After finding a Supervisor, the applicant must

Gain approval from the Supervisor (or Supervisors) for a research plan, a tentative study plan, and for the actual application form for a right to study.
Submit the application form and its enclosures to the Doctoral Programme's Steering Group for assessment via the electronic application system (Studyinfo.fi).

The following documents must be attached to the online application in Stufyinfo.fi

Application form for the right to study, signed by the supervisors and applicant
Research plan
Postgraduate study plan, instructions All doctoral degrees in the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering consist of 40 credits of theoretical postgraduate studies approved by the primary supervisor (at least 10 credits in the study module for general academic competences and at least 25 credits in discipline and field-specific studies). The study module for general academic competences includes a compulsory course on ethics (at least 3 credits).
Copies of degree certificates or transcripts of previous academic work. The applicant must also present the original certificates at the Study Office. This enclosure is not necessary if the degree was completed in a Finnish university.
A copy of the applicant's passport ID page. This is not required if the applicant has previously studied at Tampere University.
Follow-up group members' agreements (The follow-up group consists of a doctoral dissertation supervisor(s) and at least two other experts so that the size of the follow-up group is at least three people. At least two of the members of the follow-up group must be PhD graduates. Members give their written consent to join the follow-up group.)

Please see more instructions on how to apply on the page How to apply for doctoral programmes at Tampere University.

Officially certified educational documents

In addition to uploading electronic copies of your educational documents to your application, you must submit officially authenticated copies of your educational documents, if you have not completed your previous degrees in a Finnish university. If the documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, both the authenticated copies of the documents in their original language and an officially confirmed, complete and precise translation into one of the languages mentioned above are required.

In addition to the standard document requirements, educational documents issued in certain countries have more specific requirements for submission. Please go through the requirements carefully and check the country- specific requirements for your degree awarding country before applying. Please send your educational documents to Tampere University Admissions Office.

Admission results and appeals

The doctoral programme processes applications regularly every month apart from July. Applicants are notified of the decision by the end of the month. If the application or its enclosures are incomplete, the processing of the application may be deferred to the following month.

The doctoral programme's steering group meeting dates (application and enclosures deadline) spring 2021:

26.1.2021 (12.1.)
24.2.2021 (10.2.)
26.3.2021 (12.3.)
23.4.2021 (9.4.)
21.5.2021 (7.5.)
22.6.2021 (28.5.)

An applicant who is dissatisfied with the student selection may submit a written request for reconsideration to the Faculty Council. Such requests must be submitted within 14 days of the declared announcement date. The request, together with the reasons, should be sent by email to tau (a) tuni.fi.

One study place per term provision

A person accepted at a Finnish university or a polytechnic may accept only one study place in a degree programme leading to a higher education degree during one academic term.

Confirmation of the right to enrol

To maintain your right to enrol in the doctoral programme, you must accept the study place electronically through the link in your email notification. If you cannot accept the study place electronically, please contact Tampere University Admissions Office.

The confirmation must reach Tampere University by the 15th of the following month at 15.00 pm local time, at the latest. If your confirmation has not arrived by the date indicated above, you will lose your right to enrol in the doctoral programme.

Enrolment

New doctoral students must enrol at the Student Affairs Office. More detailed instructions on enrollment are enclosed with the letter of acceptance. Before enrolling, a new doctoral student must present at the Admissions Office the original certificates and transcript for the degrees and studies he/she has referred to in his/her application and their authorised translations in English, if the originals are in another language. If the previous studies have been completed in Finnish university, Tampere University is able to confirm the degree electronically.

Doctoral students are required to re-enrol at the beginning of each academic year according to instructions given by the University. Only students enrolled as 'present' may pursue studies at the University.

Doctoral students who fail to enrol either as 'present' or 'absent' within the given deadline will lose their right to study and their right to use the computer services provided by the University. Should students later wish to continue their studies, they must make a written request to the Faculty requesting re-admission.

Apply via Studyinfo.fi portal

Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering

Interdisciplinary high-quality research for health

Interested in applying?

Type

Degree earned

Planned duration

City

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Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering

Interdisciplinary high-quality research for health

Interested in applying?