Each doctoral student must have a principal supervisor. Each student is responsible for finding an appropriate principal supervisor at the University of Oulu. Without a supervisor and his/her commitment letter, the study rights cannot be granted. The applicant and the principal supervisor must ensure that the research site has all needed resources (supervision and other resources) for applicant’s doctoral training. 

If an applicant plans to carry out trial periods in two, or more, research groups during first year of doctoral training with the aim of finding the most suitable research group, a commitment letter from each research group leader for the trial period must be submitted with the application form. The student may therefore be granted conditional admission to UniOGS for up to one year, by which time a principal supervisor must have confirmed his/her commitment to supervise the student’s doctoral training.

To apply for the doctoral study rights, the applicant fills in the application form, providing all of the requested personal data and information concerning the previous degree(s). All applicants should also provide (on the form) an outline of the research plan (or a statement of research interest if the student has not yet found the most appropriate research group: see above), a statement of motivation and career plans. If the doctoral study rights are applied for in order to undertake part-time doctoral studies, the reason for requesting the part-time status must be given. A plan for funding should be provided for at least the first year of doctoral training, and any ethical considerations must to be taken into account during the application process.

All applicants must provide at least two reference letters from previous supervisors, or from other persons who can objectively evaluate the applicant’s study, research, or working performance.