Doctoral Thesis Requirements revised at the University of Oulu
What Has Changed?
The reform introduces:
- General requirements based on the Government Decree on University Degrees. These set the content and quality criteria for doctoral degrees.
- Field-specific requirements that refine the general guidelines at the faculty and major level. These now present minimum standards more clearly than before and may include additional instructions and recommendations.
The aim is to support systematic planning and evaluation of theses. Doctoral education continues to focus on scientific content, methodological competence, and the ability to generate new knowledge.
National Developments Behind the Reform
The updates are based on proposals from faculty doctoral degree programmes and national efforts to ensure high-quality and efficient doctoral education. In line with European recommendations, Finland aims for a 3–4-year degree duration for full-time doctoral researchers.
Annu Perttunen, Director of the Graduate School, states: “Revised doctoral thesis requirements clarify doctoral education and support researchers in developing as experts.”
Practical Impacts
A shared foundation across disciplines and clearer specifications at the subject level make graduation criteria easier to understand. Doctoral researchers and supervisors can use the revised requirements to guide research planning and implementation. The clearer framework makes doctoral education more predictable and smoother for all parties, including doctoral thesis reviewers.
Annu Perttunen summarizes: “The new requirements offer doctoral researchers better starting points for building their research paths. The goal of the University of Oulu Graduate School is to support young researchers both in their research efforts and professional growth.”
Explore the updated requirements on the University of Oulu Graduate School's website and ensure your research aligns with them.
For more information contact uniogs@oulu.fi.