International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health (IPPE)

Section 37 of the Finnish University Act (2009/558) defines eligibility for studies leading to a scientific or artistic postgraduate degree as follows:

An eligible person must have one of the following:

1. an applicable higher university degree
2. an applicable higher university of applied sciences degree or
3. an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding higher education.

The Universities Act stipulates that a University may require a postgraduate student to complete supplementary courses to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to complete a postgraduate degree in arts or sciences.

The eligibility of applicants whose applicable master’s degree was conferred by a Finnish or foreign university of applied sciences will be determined by doctoral programme staff on a case-by-case basis. This decision will be based on an assessment of the applicants’ ability to successfully complete a doctoral degree.

Moreover, the Faculty of Social Sciences requires that applicants who have completed a higher university of applied sciences degree or a Master’s degree of less than 120 ECTS abroad demonstrate the following: Familiarity with the key theoretical concepts of the field, foundations for scientific theory and research ethics, and mastery of the research methods at a level that is necessary for successfully completing a dissertation. This proficiency must be demonstrated by providing an account of completed studies related to the above-mentioned areas. The account must indicate the content and scope of the studies. Furthermore, the application must contain a summary and the final grade of the applicant’s thesis for the higher university of applied sciences degree.

The Doctoral Programmes at the Faculty of Social Sciences follow mainly the general language requirements for academic English that have been set for international degree programmes at Tampere University. Thus, the applicant must submit evidence of good command of English for academic purposes. There are two ways of indicating English language proficiency: language tests and previous studies.

Language tests

We accept the following tests (minimum scores listed) as proof of good command of English:

• TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language: 92 /Internet-based with no individual score below 20, 580/paper-based (NB: scores from "TOEFL ITP / institutional testing programme" are not accepted.)
• IELTS (Academic), International English Language Testing System: 6.5 with no individual score below 5.5
• PTE (Academic), Pearson’s Test of Academic English: 62 with no individual score below 54
• C1 Advanced test (CAE) C
• C2 Proficiency test (CPE) Level C1
• National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), Level 5.

A plain photocopy of the test score is enough regarding IELTS scores. The PTE and TOEFL scores must arrive from the testing organisation. The TOEFL reporting number of the Tampere University is 9871. The new Tampere University does not have its own code during the current admission period, so please use the old code.

Please note that the language test score must be valid during the application period. Language test results are valid for two years.

Previous studies

If you have one of the following, you do not need to submit a language test score:

A Bachelor's or a Master’s degree completed in English language from a University in a EU/ EEA country, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Switzerland or the United States.

On the application rounds of 2020, the overall intake into doctoral programmes in the field of medicine and health sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences is approximately 30 new students per academic year. The programmes are: the International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health, Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences, and Doctoral Programme in Medicine.

The Steering group for doctoral education assesses the ability and commitment of the applicants according to the following principles:

• The scientific quality of the research plan: the suitability of the methods and materials to solve the research question and the realism of the research plan
• The clarity of the research questions
• The practical or theoretical relevance of the research in its field
• The suitability of the research topic for the Doctoral Programme
• The realistic feasibility of the study plan
• The applicant’s academic success at undergraduate and graduate level
• The applicant’s methodological and theoretical abilities
• Tha applicant's motivation
• The applicant’s language proficiency
• The availability of competent supervision resources within the Faculty

The Steering group for doctoral education may also assess the applicant’s level of suitability and motivation by interviewing him/her. Evaluation statements concerning individual applicants are not public.

At the application stage, applicants will be required to deliver certified copies of their degree certificate and related appendices to the University. Country-specific requirements may apply.  

The Faculty may restrict the number of its doctoral student intake based on insufficient supervision resources.

1. 1. Curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages)
      • • Please use the Europass format in English (http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculumvitae/templates-instructions)
        • the list of publications should be organized as follows: international peerreviewed publications, other publications
        • include a list of completed epidemiology courses (level, number credits)
   2. Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
      The motivation letter describes your personal goals for PhD studies It should address the following:
      •            Why do you want to pursue doctoral studies in the IPPE Programme?
        • How will PhD studies complement your previous education and professional experience?
        • What new skills and opportunities are you looking for in the IPPE Programme?
        • How do you plan to use the experience gained in IPPE training after completing the PhD degree? What are your future career goals?
   3. Research plan (Please see detailed guidelines, max. 6 pages including summary and references)
   4. Photocopies of degree certificate(s) and official transcript(s) of records certified by a notary public (as a single pdf-file)
   5. Certificate of proficiency in English for academic purposes. For this requirement,
      no exceptions will be granted. Please see: Language proficiency criteria
   6. Copy of your passport

Enclosures

You must be able to prove your educational background by means of officially authenticated copies of your 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.

If selected, you will have to present your original educational documents upon arrival at Tampere University in order to be able to register at the university.

The call for applications for the doctoral programme in international programme in epidemiology and public health is organised every other year.

The next application period is November- December, 2020. The application period ends at 15.00 (Finnish time).

Applicants who qualify for the second stage of the selection process will be invited to video interviews which are held in February 2021.

Applications are submitted through an electronic application system at studyinfo.fi . Please see more information at What is studyinfo?. A link to the application form is available during the application period.

The selection results are announced before the beginning of the following term. The selections made in spring 2021 are announced by April 2021 Applicants are notified of the selection results by e-mail.

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, shall be addressed to: Tampere University, 33014 University of Tampere, Finland by post or tau [at] tuni.fi by email.

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 degree programme, you must fill in and deliver the confirmation form you receive from the University of Tampere. The confirmation must reach the University of Tampere by 10 July, 2020 at 3 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 degree programme.

Enrolment

New doctoral students must enrol at the Registrar's Office. More detailed instructions on enrolment are enclosed with the letter of acceptance. Before enrolling, a new doctoral student must present at the Faculty 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.

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.

Section 37 of the Finnish University Act (2009/558) defines eligibility for studies leading to a scientific or artistic postgraduate degree as follows:

An eligible person must have one of the following:

1. an applicable higher university degree
2. an applicable higher university of applied sciences degree or
3. an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding higher education.

The scope of a foreign degree must be equivalent to a Finnish degree (generally 180 + 120 ECTS, or approx. 3 + 2 years) that confers eligibility for admission to a doctoral programme. Foreign degrees must include a thesis-type final project.

The Universities Act stipulates that a University may require a postgraduate student to complete supplementary courses to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to complete a postgraduate degree in arts or sciences.

The eligibility of applicants whose applicable master’s degree was conferred by a Finnish or foreign university of applied sciences will be determined by doctoral programme staff on a case-by-case basis. This decision will be based on an assessment of the applicants’ ability to successfully complete a doctoral degree.

Moreover, the Faculty of Social Sciences requires that applicants who have completed a higher university of applied sciences degree or a Master’s degree of less than 120 ECTS abroad demonstrate the following: Familiarity with the key theoretical concepts of the field, foundations for scientific theory and research ethics, and mastery of the research methods at a level that is necessary for successfully completing a dissertation. This proficiency must be demonstrated by providing an account of completed studies related to the above-mentioned areas. The account must indicate the content and scope of the studies. Furthermore, the application must contain a summary and the final grade of the applicant’s thesis for the higher university of applied sciences degree.

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 on language requirements and how to submit the language test results.

The minimum English language test result requirements

*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.

On the application rounds of 2020, the overall intake into doctoral programmes in the field of medicine and health sciences at the Faculty of Social Sciences is approximately 30 new students per academic year. The programmes are: the International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health, Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences, and Doctoral Programme in Medicine.

The Steering group for doctoral education assesses the ability and commitment of the applicants according to the following principles:

• The scientific quality of the research plan: the suitability of the methods and materials to solve the research question and the realism of the research plan
• The clarity of the research questions
• The practical or theoretical relevance of the research in its field
• The suitability of the research topic for the Doctoral Programme
• The realistic feasibility of the study plan
• The applicant’s academic success at undergraduate and graduate level
• The applicant’s methodological and theoretical abilities
• Tha applicant's motivation
• The applicant’s language proficiency
• The availability of competent supervision resources within the Faculty

The Steering group for doctoral education may also assess the applicant’s level of suitability and motivation by interviewing him/her. Evaluation statements concerning individual applicants are not public.

At the application stage, applicants will be required to deliver certified copies of their degree certificate and related appendices to the University. Country-specific requirements may apply.

The Faculty may restrict the number of its doctoral student intake based on insufficient supervision resources.

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

1. Curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages)

- Please use the Europass format in English

- the list of publications should be organized as follows: international peer-reviewed publications, other publications

- include a list of completed epidemiology courses (level, number of credits)

2. Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
The motivation letter describes your personal goals for PhD studies. It should address the following:

- Why do you want to pursue doctoral studies in the IPPE Programme?

- How will PhD studies complement your previous education and professional experience?

- What new skills and opportunities are you looking for in the IPPE Programme?

- How do you plan to use the experience gained in IPPE training after completing the PhD degree? What are your future career goals?

3. Research plan (Please see detailed guidelines below, max. 6 pages excluding summary and including references)

4. Description of funding and support for studies
 Please describe how you plan to 

-  pay for your living costs in Finland from August 2021 to May 2022 (The Finnish immigration service income requirement is 1000 €/month for doctoral researchers to admit a residence permit to Finland), and

- fund your research project (e.g. data collection, your salary/income during the thesis work).

Please include documentation of grant awards for the planned PhD project if appropriate.

5. Photocopies of university level degree certificate(s) and official transcript(s) of records, please see more below at "Officially certified educational documents"

6. Certificate of proficiency in English for academic purposes. For this requirement,
no exceptions will be granted.

7. Copy of your passport

Research plan guidelines

The research plan should explain clearly how the proposed research will answer the study question(s). Research plans should be structured according to the instructions given below. The research plan must not exceed 6 pages excluding summary (Times New Roman 11 pt or equivalent). Convert the research plan to a pdf file and append it to the online application. Name the attachment file as follows: yoursurname_research plan. Make sure the research plan remains legible after you convert it to pdf.

Structure and content of the research plan

Applicant’s name, project title, site of research, date of research plan

1.   Executive Summary (1 page)

2.   Background and Rationale

• Public health significance of the project in relation to current knowledge: How is the project linked to previous international and national research? How will the project advance the current knowledge?
• How is the project linked to previous research by the applicant or the research team, or to some other research?

3.   Overall and specific objectives of the research

• Objectives of the project and their theoretical and methodological underpinnings
• Research questions or hypotheses

4.   Research methods and material, support from research environment

• Research methods, described so as to explain how they will contribute to answering the research questions/confirming the hypotheses, or how they will support the chosen approach
• Research material to be used and its significance for the research project. Justification for the research material, how the data will be collected and used.
• What kind of tangible support will the project receive from local, national and international research environments?
• Use of research infrastructures, description of how the project benefits from such use

5.   Ethical issues

• Description of ethical issues (e.g. ethical governance procedures, informed consent, anonymity of subjects, withdrawal from research) concerning the chosen topic, methods and data, as well as any research permits or information on pending permit applications

6.   Implementation: schedule, reporting

• Tentative schedule for the research
• Publication plan: publishing of research results, dissemination and communication to the scientific community

7.   Research team and collaborative partners

• Roles and merits of research team members that are relevant to the project
• National and international collaboration, and its significance for project implementation

8.   Expected results and impact

• Expected research results and their anticipated scientific impact.
• Potential for societal impact in the long or short term

9.   References

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.

Please make sure that the officially certified copies of your educational documents arrive at Tampere University by 5 January 2021.

The call for applications for the doctoral programme in international programme in epidemiology and public health is organised every other year.

The next application period is November 16 - December 15, 2020. The application period ends at December 15, 2020, 15.00 (Finnish time).

Applicants who qualify for the second stage of the selection process will be invited to video interviews which are held in February 9 - 18, 2021.

Applications are submitted through an electronic application system at studyinfo.fi . Please see more information at What is studyinfo?. A link to the application form is available during the application period.

The selection results are announced by March 31st 2021. Applicants are notified of the selection results by e-mail.

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, shall be addressed to: Tampere University, 33014 University of Tampere, Finland by post or tau [at] tuni.fi by email.

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.

Acceptance of study place

To maintain your right to enrol in the degree programme, please accept the study place through the link you have received by email from Studyinfo.fi. The confirmation must reach the Tampere University by 14 April, 2021 at 3 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 degree programme.

Enrolment

New doctoral students must enrol at the Student Affairs Office. More detailed instructions on enrolment are enclosed with the letter of acceptance.

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.