Doctoral Programme of the Department of History and Ethnology, spring 2026

Doctoral studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences stress the ability to conduct research independently, the ability to complete and report an extensive research project, and the ability to present and defend the research in a public examination. Society needs new scientific knowledge as well as academic experts. Doctoral education prepares the doctoral students to be experts in the chosen fields and provides them with analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication and information technology skills.

In the Doctoral Programme of the Department of History and Ethnology, the specialization may be Ethnology and anthropology, Finnish history, Economic history or General history. The applicant must choose the specialisation during the application phase.

To be awarded a doctorate, the doctoral student must complete the required doctoral studies, demonstrate independent and critical thinking in one’s field of research and write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in public.

The degree consists of a doctoral dissertation and other doctoral studies. The scope of other doctoral studies is 30 ECTS credits. The curriculum 2024-2028 for the Doctoral Programme of the Department of History and Ethnology can be found at https://opinto-opas.jyu.fi/2024/en/degreeprogram/helto2024/ .

A dissertation is a comprehensive, research-based scientific presentation in the doctoral candidate’s field of study. It represents the candidate’s ability to independently and critically apply the methods of scientific research and create new scientific knowledge.

A dissertation must meet the following scientific criteria and requirements for learning and competence. A dissertation must:

• include new scientific knowledge and substantiated results as well as be scientifically convincing;
• demonstrate the candidate’s critical thinking, profound knowledge of the research field, command of scientific research methods and ability to apply them as well as
• be scientifically honest and follow the norms of research integrity.

The dissertation can be an article dissertation or a monograph. The dissertation is subjected to a public examination.

More information about dissertation requirements at the University of Jyväskylä and possible additional instructions of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences can be found at https://www.jyu.fi/en/for-students/instructions-for-doctoral-students/dissertation-and-dissertation-research/dissertation-requirements-from-112025 .

Read more about research in the Department of History and Ethnology: https://www.jyu.fi/en/humsoc/hela/research-at-hela