The postgraduate degree focuses on research. The faculties and doctoral programmes have outlined their own instructions on identification and recognition of learning.&nbsp;The curricula includes 40-60 credits of studies depending on the doctoral programme since 2020-2021. Before that 30-60 credits of studies were included in the curricula.

Postgraduate 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 doctoral programme. Requirements and acceptance of special attainments in the Doctoral Programme of Computing and Electrical Engineering 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) (PDF, 65.3 KB) </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/2024-09/erityissuoritukset_lomake_engl.rtf">Application form for personal special credits (RTF, 2.23 MB) </a></div></figure>Please read more programme-specific information on planning and completing your doctoral studies at the following sections:<ul><li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni/5833/4704?page=4246">The personal study plan (PSP) of a doctoral student</a> -&gt; Study planning and personal competence development</li><li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni/5833/4704?page=4236">Curriculum of doctoral studies</a> (Structure of studies and Studies included in postgraduate degree)</li></ul>

Doctoral Programme of Computing and Electrical Engineering (DPCEE)

Studies&nbsp;counted towards&nbsp;the doctoral&nbsp;degreeThe doctoral programme's guidelines for composing studies can be found on&nbsp;<a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/studying/doctoral-studies/doctoral-programmes/doctoral-programme-built-environment-dpben">the doctoral programme's page</a>&nbsp;(lower part): DPBEN Guidelines for studies counted towards doctoral degrees: course type and contentRegistering Doctoral Studies to the Study RegisterAll studies to be included in the doctoral degree are entered in the Study Register.All courses and seminars completed at the Tampere University are entered automatically in the Study Register without a separate request (e.g. courses organized by doctoral programmes or Tampere University Doctoral School).For studies completed at other Universities, an official transcript of records from the other University is required. Please attach it to the draft of studies in Sisu when you apply for the approval and registering of the study attainment.Doctoral studies may also include other assignments with the approval of the responsible supervisor (e.g. teaching on the topic of the dissertation, scientific publications not included in the dissertation, essays).&nbsp;The official transcript of records can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office.

Doctoral Programme in Built Environment (RYTO)

Recording completed course units in the Study RegisterAn entry must be added to the Academic Record for all completed studies to be included in the doctoral degree.For detailed instructions, please see: <a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/studying/doctoral-studies/planning-doctoral-studies/personal-study-plan-psp-doctoral-student">The personal study plan (PSP) of a doctoral student</a>,&nbsp;EDU's sheet below the general text.The student can view the study attainments, as recorded in the Academic Record, via the <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/sisu">Sisu system</a>. A Basic User Account is required to access Sisu.For an official Academic Record extract, please contact the Student Affairs Office.

Faculty of Education and Culture (EDU)

Please note!&nbsp;The instructions below are for these doctoral programmes:

<ul>
	<li>Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication&nbsp;and Performing Arts&nbsp;(DPMCP)</li>
	<li>Doctoral Programme in Information Studies and Interactive Media (DPII)</li>
	<li>Doctoral Programme of Humans and Technologies&nbsp;(DPHAT)</li>
	<li>Doctoral Programme in Language Studies (DPLA)</li>
</ul>

Please note! The students of the Doctoral Programme in Communication, Media and Theatre who have decided to pursue their studies according to the 180 credits / dissertation and 60 credits / other studies use the guidelines of the academic year 2019-2020 below.

For detailed instructions, please see: <a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/studying/doctoral-studies/planning-doctoral-studies/personal-study-plan-psp-doctoral-student">The personal study plan (PSP) of a doctoral student</a>, ITC's sheet below the general text.

&nbsp;

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

All studies to be included in the doctoral degree are entered in the Study Register (SISU).

All courses and seminars completed at Tampere University are entered automatically in the Study Register without a separate request (e.g. courses organized by doctoral programs or Tampere University Doctoral School).

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) in doctoral studies:

With the approval of the supervisor, other attainments than regular course units may be accepted as part of the studies. The table below lists examples of courses or other attainments that can be recognised in the doctoral degree. If the number of credits has already been determined, those credits will be used. Other attainments are scaled as proposed by the supervisor in accordance with the recommendation below. More information on completion methods and requirements is available on the course unit page and the SISU system.

&nbsp;

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Course content/description
			</td>
			<td>
			SISU course code and credits (old curriculum)
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Participating in teaching max. 5 ECTS as agreed with the supervisor.
			</td>
			<td>
			DPSOC.010 (=DPSOC.001)

			Teaching 1-5 ECTS
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Participation in national or international postgraduate education of the field; e.g. Summer Schools, research network meetings; 1–2 courses = 5 ECTS
			</td>
			<td>
			DPSOC.020 (=DPSOC.002)

			Other scientific education 1-10 ECTS
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Scientific publication; e.g. one scientific article which is not included in the thesis 5-10 ECTS as agreed with the supervisor.
			</td>
			<td>
			DPSOC.030 (=DPSOC.003)

			Other scientific publications 5-10 ECTS
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Participation in a scientific meeting or conference in Finland or abroad. Credits vary according to the length and content of the conference as agreed with the supervisor; 1-2 ECTS according to the supervisor.
			</td>
			<td>
			DPSOC.040 (=DPSOC.004)

			&nbsp;

			Scientific conference 1-10 ECTS
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Field-Specific literature, exams and essays as agreed with the supervisor.
			</td>
			<td>
			DPSOC.050 (=DPSOC.005)

			Other field-specific studies 1-10 ECTS
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC)

Studies in the Doctoral Programme in Engineering Sciences (TTITO),

<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/2020-07/ttito_guidelines_studies.pdf">Guidelines (PDF, 15.86 KB) </a></div></figure>

Further info: Academic Officer Anna Nykänen, anna.nykanen [at] tuni.fi

Doctoral Programme in Engineering Sciences, TTITO

All studies to be included in the doctoral degree are entered in the Study Register.

All courses and seminars completed at the Tampere University are entered automatically in the Study Register without a separate request (e.g. courses organized by doctoral programs or Tampere University Doctoral School).

For studies completed at other Universities, an official transcript of records from the other University is required, which is submitted first to the supervisor for approval and then to the Faculty's Study Administration for entry in the Study Register.

If the primary supervisor of doctoral studies agrees, the student may register other types of attainments than the usual study units, seminars or literature. The table below describes the types of activities the students can earn credits for. More information about the corresponding study units and their requirements and implementations can be found in the Sisu information system. Students possessing the Medical Specialist degree may include 8 credits for the degree in their doctoral degree. These are registered in the study unit ”DPMBBE.012 Other studies”. 
&nbsp;

<table cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.004 Journal Club, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.006 Seminars, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.007 Scientific conferences, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.009 Summer and winter schools, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.010 Other research work, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.011 Teaching practice, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.012 Other studies, 1-15 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.013 Thesis supervision, 1-6 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.014 Evaluation of research, 1-5 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			DPMBBE.015 Literature, 1-10 credits
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

To apply for the recognition of these attainments, you must:

<ol>
	<li>Deliver a written description of the assignment&nbsp;to your primary supervisor, who will draw up a brief statement in support of your application.</li>
	<li>The statement and other supporting documents are delivered to the academic officer of your doctoral programme.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If your application is accepted, the faculty staff will enter the credits to your academic record.</li>
</ol>

Henna Mattila

Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET)

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&nbsp;the university&nbsp;also apply to studies completed outside university.</li>
	<li>Student completes part of general academic competences&nbsp;in accordance with the degree regulations by attending the course&nbsp;Orientation to Doctoral Studies, 4&nbsp;cr. In addition student&nbsp;needs to study&nbsp;a Research Ethics course, 1 cr.&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;of the programme.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;25 credits)</li>
	<li>general academic&nbsp;competences&nbsp;(min. 10&nbsp;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&nbsp;possible to graduate with the old degree requirements structure as far as 31.7.2024.

The content of the&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;is 10&nbsp;cr. The course&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;(4 cr) is compulsory, or equivalent knowledge. In addition student&nbsp;needs to study&nbsp;either course&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;(1 cr) or&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;(1 cr).&nbsp;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&nbsp;credits worth of the course&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/curriculum/course-units/tut-cu-g-42176?year=2021">DPENS.520&nbsp;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&nbsp;cr</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/doctoral-school">The Doctoral School</a>&nbsp;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&nbsp;for a&nbsp;<a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/handbook?page=3173&amp;search=joo">JOO study right</a>&nbsp;to some other university.&nbsp;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&nbsp;department offers one or more courses towards which the credits for independent reading may be counted. These courses are:

•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<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 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<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 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<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 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<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 
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<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&nbsp;in the database,&nbsp;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 must discuss 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. It is not possible to have the credits counted towards a doctoral degree before this review has been completed.&nbsp;The decision of the head of&nbsp;the&nbsp;department&nbsp;must be made in writing.

<ul>
	<li>The unit informs the Student Services Assistant in the Faculty Office of the scientific literature that may be counted towards a doctoral degree. The information is inserted to the database.</li>
	<li>The student completes the independent reading module in accordance with the specific requirements.</li>
	<li>The degree requirements that doctoral students must meet are individually approved in accordance with the University Regulations.</li>
</ul>

Number of credits:

<ul>
	<li>An independent reading module followed by an examination may be counted towards a doctoral degree. 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 module are expected to meet additional requirements besides taking an oral or written examination.

Doctoral students who have completed an independent reading module 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.

<a href="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/proxy/restricted/2021-08/intra_tlto_sisu_instructions_16082021_1.pdf">TLTO Sisu instructions (pdf)</a>

Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO)

<h3>Doctoral Programme in&nbsp;Administrative Sciences, Business Studies and Politics (DPHKP)</h3>

The scope of the degree of the Doctoral Programme in Administrative Sciences, Business Studies and Politics is 240 credits. To meet the degree requirements, you must complete a doctoral dissertation and 60 credits by completing the following units of study:

· General Academic Competences, 15-35 cr

· Discipline- and Field Specific Studies, 25-45 cr 
&nbsp;

All students enrolled in the doctoral programme will draw up a supervision plan together with their supervisors. This plan will list the courses counted towards your degree and specify the roles and responsibilities of you and your supervisor. 
 
The doctoral courses may be offered by your research field, doctoral programme, faculty, or the Doctoral School of Tampere University. You will also have the option to complete courses in other Finnish or foreign universities or doctoral schools. All students are recommended to go on exchange to a foreign university or attend international doctoral courses while working towards their degree.

Please find the following guidelines about gaining credit pointis in doctoral 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/2023-03/dphkp_gaining-credit-points-in-doctoral-studies.pdf">DPHKP, gainging credit points in doctoral studies (PDF, 90.83 KB) </a></div></figure>

<h3> 
Doctoral Programme in Business and Technology Management (TOTO)</h3>

TOTO Guidelines for studies counted towards a doctoral degree and TOTO Sisu instructions, please see the lower part of the page: 
<a href="https://intra.tuni.fi/en/studying/doctoral-studies/doctoral-programmes/doctoral-programme-business-and-technology-management-toto">https://intra.tuni.fi/en/studying/doctoral-studies/doctoral-programmes/doctoral-programme-business-and-technology-management-toto</a>

Gaining credit points in doctoral studies

OpenDoctoral Programme of Computing and Electrical Engineering (DPCEE)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Built Environment (RYTO)

OpenFaculty of Education and Culture (EDU)

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

OpenFaculty of Social Sciences (SOC)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Engineering Sciences, TTITO

OpenFaculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET)

OpenDoctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO)

OpenFaculty of Management and Business (MAB)