Roadmap for doctoral studies and dissertation

The target time for completion of doctoral degree is 3-4 years when studying full-time. To meet this goal, the topic and content of the dissertation must be limited so that the dissertation manuscript can be submitted for preliminary examination approximately 3-3,5 years after the starting the studies. The examination of the dissertation takes place in two stages (preliminary examination and public examination). After the examination, the dissertation is evaluated by the Faculty Council. Once the dissertation has been evaluated, the doctoral student applies for a doctoral degree in Sisu. The whole process from the preliminary examination of the dissertation to graduation takes approximately 4-6 months. 

In addition to defining the topic and content of the dissertation, careful planning of the dissertation and the studies and systematic monitoring of the progress of the plan will support the goal of meeting the target time. Doctoral programmes, research projects and dissertation supervisors have different ways of guiding and supporting the planning, implementation, and progress monitoring of the dissertation.

The figure below is an example of a phased and timed progress plan for a full-time doctoral student and a three-article dissertation.