Orientation weeks for new doctoral students

Welcome to begin your doctoral studies! On this page you will find information about starting your doctoral studies in August 2025.

Welcome to begin your doctoral studies!

There are usually no teaching or courses in August, but you can begin your doctoral studies by reading the guidelines for studies and dissertation research, planning your studies and dissertation research in more detail, and attending the doctoral student orientation weeks.

First of all, make sure that you are enrolled at the university, have activated your university username and set up a university email address.

Orient yourself towards your studies

Supervision

agree with your supervisors on a precise timetable for starting your doctoral studies and research and for arriving on campus
familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of the doctoral student, supervisor and follow-up group
familiarise yourself with the guidelines on the supervision document
if you wish, you can already start outlining your own supervision document in the supervision document system from your own perspective. Please note that it will not be possible to complete your supervision document until you have agreed the principles of supervision with your supervisors.
during your doctoral studies, you will have the help and support of many different people. For more information, see the guidelines on supervision and study councelling for doctoral students.

Planning your studies (coursework)

Please follow the links below to familiarise yourself with

the curriculum of your doctoral programme
the courses offered by the university. Please note that the teaching schedule may still be updated during August and September.
the University of Jyväskylä's study information system Sisu. Find out more about Sisu, and watch Sisu instruction videos on study planning and enrolment.

Once you are familiar with the curriculum, the teaching schedule and the Sisu system, you can start creating your study plan in Sisu. You can also register for those courses/study units where enrolment is open (note: some courses/study units do not require enrolment, or enrolment may start later in the academic year).

If you have technical problems using Sisu, help is available from Sisu support.

In other study related issues you can consult your own supervisor or contact the Support for Doctoral Studies team.

Academic study skills

At the beginning of your studies, it is worth reminding yourself of your academic study skills: what are they and do you need to develop your own skills in these areas? See our Academic Study Skills instructions for more information.

How to apply for funding

Research and Innovation Services of the University of Jyväskylä have created a self-learning course Introduction to Applying for Research Funding. The course offers expertise and practical tips on where to apply for research funding and how to prepare a funding proposal. You can join the course environment at any time and study at at your own pace. You can also complete the course and receive credits, but this is not compulsory. You can find more information on the course in Intranet UNO (requires login).

University guidelines and services

complete the University of Jyväskylä information security course
familiarise yourself with various guidelines related to dissertation research, such as guidelines on research ethics
if you are employed by the University (doctoral researcher position), please contact your supervisor, your superior and/or assistant of your unit for office space and facilities issues. If you are not employed by the university, please read to our guidelines on facilities and equipment.
if you are employed by the University (doctoral researcher position), please check the Staff HR Handbook (UNO intranet, requires login)
if you work on a grant, please check the Guide for Grant Researcher (UNO intranet, login required)
IT Instructions and tools for students

Wellbeing

During your doctoral studies, it is important to remember to take care of your wellbeing. Doctoral students have the opportunity to take advantage of self-study materials on Intranet Uno to develop their wellbeing skills, and a range of services to support mental wellbeing. Doctoral students can also take advantage of the services offered by the uMove (Academic Sports) by purchasing a uMove membership. Read more about the various guidelines from our web page Instructions for the doctoral student regarding university community.

Orientation weeks' events

See the information recordings at a time that suits you:

Open Science Centre of the University of Jyväskylä: A short introduction to the Open Science Centre for new doctoral students information recording

Information sessions for all new doctoral students at the University of Jyväskylä:

Thu 21.8.2025 from 2.00 pm to 3 pm Finnish time (Zoom): Welcome to doctoral studies at the University of Jyväskylä! Information on the University of Jyväskylä Graduate School, doctoral studies guidelines and instructions, the Support for doctoral studies team, current news in doctoral education, and other important information. The link to the event has been sent to doctoral students by email. Ppt slides of the info available in Uno intranet (requires login).
Tue 26.8.2025 from 12.00 pm to 1.30 pm Finnish time (Zoom): Info on curricula, planning your studies and the Sisu system. The link to the event has been sent to doctoral students by email. Ppt slides of the info available in Uno intranet (requires login).
Wed 27.8.2025 from 10 am to 3.15 pm: doctoral students can attend the student opening fair in Agora building (Jyväskylä, University of Jyväskylä premises) in the section of their faculty. At the opening fair you can find our about the various services offered by the university. See the programme of the opening fair for the participation time of your faculty. Please note that there may be differences in the services offered by the University, depending on whether you are a bachelor student, master's student, or doctoral student.
Fri 29.8.2025 from 12.00 pm to 1.30 pm (Zoom): Services to support research, mobility and career planning. Speakers: the Open Science Centre, the Methodology Centre for Human Sciences IHME, Services for internationalisation, and the Career Services. The link to the event has been sent to doctoral students by email. Ppt slides of the info available in Uno intranet (requires login).
Tue 2.9.2025 from 2.00 pm to 3 pm Finnish time (Zoom): Services for scientific communication and writing, publishing and communicating research. Speakers include Movi, the Open Science Centre's publication services and University Communications. The link to the event has been sent to doctoral students by email. Ppt slides of the info available in Uno intranet (requires login).

Information sessions for each faculty or doctoral programme:

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Monday 1.9.2025 at 12.15–15.45 in Zoom. Further details will be provided to new doctoral students by email.
Faculty of Information Technology: Monday 8.9.2025 at 13-14 (EEST) in Zoom. The link to the event will be sent to the doctoral students by email.
University of Jyväskylä School of Business and Economics: Monday 1 September 2025 from 12:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (EEST) at Agora (Mattilanniemi Campus) and on Zoom. Orientation will be organized as part of Introduction to Doctoral Studies course.
Faculty of Education and Psychology: The orientation meeting for new doctoral students of the faculty will be held on Friday, September 12^th from 10:00 to 12:00 in Ruusupuisto, room RUUD101 Juho. Participation is also possible remotely via Zoom.
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences: Doctoral Education Kick Off event on Tuesday 2 September 2025 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (EEST) at Jyväskylä University campus. Further details will be provided to new doctoral students by email.
Faculty of Mathematics and Science: Tuesday 30.9.2025 from 1 pm onwards at Ladun maja. Further details will be provided to new doctoral students by email.

Welcome to start your doctoral studies at the University of Jyväskylä!

Services for doctoral education