Doctoral studies

A doctoral degree requires approximately three to four years and a licentiate degree two years of full-time studies that are tuition free. In addition to doctoral studies (min. 30 ECTS cr), a doctoral degree also includes writing a dissertation that is defended in a public examination open for everybody to join. See Forthcoming public examinations at LUT University.

The university aims at admitting skilled, motivated students who have the aptitude for a career in research and other demanding expert tasks, who are committed to their doctoral studies and research and who have sufficient skills in research.

In addition to the suitable educational background of an applicant, the availability of supervision resources and the suitability of the expertise of supervisors available also have an impact on the selection of doctoral students. Please see Application Processes of Doctoral Programmes.

LUT participates in the national doctoral education pilot programme funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. 44 doctoral researchers recruited by LUT have been placed in seven pilot projects.

Degrees, research fields and international cooperation

LUT University offers a possibility to complete the following postgraduate degrees:

Licentiate of Science (Technology) - Doctor of Science (Technology)
Licentiate of Science (Economics and Business Administration) - Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
Licentiate of Social Sciences - Doctor of Social Sciences
Licentiate of Philosophy - Doctor of Philosophy

Doctoral education is offered in the following research fields:

Energy Engineering, Energy Market and Solar Economy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainability Science (Doctoral Programme in Energy Systems - LUT School of Energy Systems)
Computational Science, Green Chemical Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management, Software Engineering, Technical Physics, Social Sciences (Doctoral Programme in Engineering Science - LUT School of Engineering Sciences)
Economics and Business Administration (Doctoral Programme in Business and Management - LUT Business School)

International cooperation in doctoral studies

LUT University also has double doctoral degree and cotutelle agreements with its partner universities abroad. Students joining in this type of cooperation will have a doctoral study right in both partner universities and also graduate from both. For additional information on international cooperation and agreements please see LUT intra (restricted access) or contact LUT Doctoral School.

Planning doctoral studies at LUT University?

LUT University graduates and those with an existing connection to LUT

If you are planning to start doctoral studies, please contact a potential supervisor in your field of interest in order to settle the basic issues (for example supervision and funding).
After the supervisory resources and the eligibility to apply have been confirmed, you can submit the application via Studyinfo-portal. Before the submission all attachments required for the application process must be ready. See Application processes of doctoral programmes

No existing connection to LUT University - finding supervisors

Please fill in the Expression of Interest-form.
The form is used for getting necessary information for example on educational background, funding and research interests of potential candidates. On the basis of that information it is possible to check if suitable supervisory resources are available.
Submitted forms will be processed approximately once a month.
LUT University will contact the senders after the initial assessment and checking supervisory resources has been done. Inquiries while the process is still ongoing will not be answered.
The form is meant for interested candidates who have their own funding available. For open funded positions (employment), please see LUT website.
LUT University does not grant general scholarships for doctoral studies.

Please note! The Expression of Interest-form is not an application for doctoral studies.

Applicants with a doctoral degree

If you plan to study for another doctoral degree, please note that the target degree has to be from a different field than the one already completed. The dissertation must be based on new data and new publications.
For example, if you have a degree of Doctor of Science (Technology) you can apply for the right to study for a degree of Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) or Doctor of Social Sciences provided that you have a suitable background education and possible work experience to complete the degree in the field in question.
However, case-by-case consideration is always used when handling applications from applicants with a doctoral degree.

LUT Doctoral School and doctoral programmes

All doctoral students of the university belong to LUT Doctoral School (LUT DS), which coordinates doctoral education at LUT University. Doctoral programmes operating in schools are responsible for education and supervision. The student services team of LUT DS gives advice for all doctoral students and applicants on study administrative issues from application to graduation.

Doctoral Programme in Energy Systems (LUT School of Energy Systems) - person in charge Professor Samuli Honkapuro (deputy: Professor Timo Kärki)

Doctoral Programme in Engineering Science (LUT School of Engineering Sciences) - person in charge Professor Bernardo Barbiellini (deputy: Professor Janne Huiskonen)

Doctoral Programme in Business and Management (LUT Business School) - person in charge Professor Paavo Ritala (deputy: Professor Tanja Leppäaho)

The doctoral progammes are introduced in more detail on LUT Doctoral School website.

Studying in Finland

Files

Doctoral studies (brochure, 2024) (PDF 3.98 MB)

The course of doctoral studies (PDF 1.96 MB)