Supervision and study councelling for doctoral students

Principles of high-quality supervision and guidance in doctoral education at the University of Jyväskylä

On 30.4.2025, Vice Rector Kaisa Miettinen has made a decision on the Principles of high-quality supervision and guidance in doctoral education at the University of Jyväskylä.

The principles of high-quality supervision and guidance in doctoral education aim to support the supervision work of dissertation supervisors, promote the uniform quality of supervision and guidance for doctoral students, clarify the tasks of different parties and make them visible in the teaching, supervision and guidance of doctoral students, and support the development work related to teaching, supervision and guidance. 

The principles are primarily meant for dissertation supervisors and the management of faculties' doctoral programmes, but also Student and Academic Services and units that arrange teaching for doctoral students can utilise these principles in the planning and implementation of doctoral education. 

Supervisors

The main support for doctoral students in their research and in growing as independent researchers is their designated dissertation supervisors. Supervisors have many tasks and responsibilities. Supervisors support doctoral students in dissertation research, planning doctoral studies, and career planning. The supervisors' task is also to advise on matters related to applying for funding.

Follow-up group

The most important tasks of the follow-up group are monitoring and supporting the progress of the doctoral student's dissertation research and studies, as well as supporting the doctoral student's career planning. The follow-up group is also there to help resolve any problems or conflicts that may arise.

Faculties and doctoral programmes

According to the Structure and General Principles of the University of Jyväskylä Graduate School for Doctoral Studies, faculties and doctoral programmes are responsible for the following matters related to the supervision and teaching of doctoral students:

• making and implementing curricula and teaching programmes in accordance with the University's curriculum guidelines,
• developing a plan for the implementation of principles of quality guidance in doctoral education,
• providing guidelines on the practices related to follow-up groups,
• appointing dissertation supervisors and a follow-up group for each doctoral student,
• resolving conflicts where the follow-up group is unable to resolve them,
• evaluation and development of doctoral education.

Study councelling

Education Services is responsible for ensuring that the guidelines for doctoral students on study rights, degree requirements and dissertation requirements, supervision and counselling, completed study units, the dissertation examination process and graduation are adequate, clear and easy to find (on the university website).

The University of Jyväskylä's Support for Doctoral Studies Team helps with study administrative questions related to doctoral studies, for example questions related to degree requirements, recording of course credits or the dissertation examination process. 

Other Education Services teams can also help the doctoral student with matters related to their respective team's tasks (for example, registering for the academic year or applying for a degree).

Support for internationalisation and international students

The University's Education Services (International Office and Support Services for Internationalisation) and International Staff Services provide support services related to internationalisation.

The supervisor, doctoral student’s unit and the university support doctoral students coming to Finland from abroad in their integration into the university community and Finnish society. The Finnish language courses for students and staff offered by Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication Movi and JYU Local Friendship Programme are examples of the forms of support for international doctoral students. The University's International Staff Services provide support services for international doctoral students related to moving to Finland and living in Finland.

Support for working life skills, career planning and transition to working life

The career services of the University of Jyväskylä provide doctoral students with information, studies and support related to working life and entrepreneurship. 

The university and its units organise activities such as alumni activities and business networking days.

Individual arrangements and accessibility 

Individualised arrangements are solutions for teaching, supervision, examinations and/or study that contribute to the smooth flow of learning. The University of Jyväskylä deems it important that students' needs for accessibility and individual services are accommodated at the university as far as possible. 

Support services related to well-being

Doctoral students' well-being, academic study skills and skills for coping at work are supported by various self-study materials, online courses and coaching, studies and the services offered by the Jyväskylä's University Sports UMove. Doctoral students also have access to a University chaplain and the University's Care and Reading Dog activities. In addition, doctoral students can participate in various events related to university community, well-being at work and study ability.