A reorganisation has reduced the current 33 doctoral programmes to 14, which will launch operations in January 2026. The programmes will feature in the Studyinfo portal and be available for application in spring 2026. Doctoral researchers currently holding a right to study can seamlessly continue in the new programmes.
The rector of the University of Helsinki has decided on a new framework for doctoral programmes. According to this decision, the University's current 33 doctoral programmes will be reorganised to form 14 programmes as of 1 January 2026. The new programmes are based on proposals submitted by faculty councils to the rector.
Prior to this reform, the structure of the University of Helsinki doctoral programmes had remained unchanged since 2014.
"This reform aims to clarify and strengthen the structures of doctoral education. It will allow us to allocate resources more efficiently to support all students and programmes and give us a clearer external profile. Doctoral researchers will benefit from larger communities that will offer new opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration," says Minna Palander-Collin, Director of the Doctoral School.
The new doctoral programmes will launch operations at the beginning of next year and feature in the Studyinfo portal as options available for application in the spring. The first new doctoral researchers in the programmes will start their studies in August 2026.
The reform will have no significant effect on the studies of current doctoral researchers. Study rights granted to doctoral researchers before 1 August 2026 will continue in the new programmes and the reform will cause no changes to the faculties or target degrees associated with the right to study.
