Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research

The Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research is coordinated by the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Medicine under the University of Helsinki Doctoral School. It develops expertise and skills in clinical and translational research. Doctoral researchers carry out research in their own field and complete theoretical studies worth 30 credits.

The programme is intended for full-time doctoral researchers to complete their degrees within four years. The studies include a doctoral thesis, discipline-specific studies, methodology and subject-specific training, international research activities, research ethics, and general transferable skills. The programme uses contact teaching.

University of Helsinki describes the programme as training professionals and university researchers specialised in research in clinical medicine and the health sciences.

Modules

• A doctoral thesis for which the related research is conducted under supervision
• Discipline-specific studies (5–25 cr)
• Methodology and subject-specific training in the doctoral researcher’s field
• International research activities (at least 2 cr)
• Research ethics (at least 1 cr)
• Studies in general transferable skills (5–25 cr)

• An applicable second-cycle university degree, including Licentiate of Medicine, Licentiate of Dentistry, Master of Science (Tech) and other master’s degrees
• An applicable second-cycle degree from a university of applied sciences
• An applicable education completed at a foreign educational institution that provides eligibility for equivalent higher education in the relevant country
• Applicants may also be admitted to complete a postgraduate research degree if they have been admitted to pursue a licentiate degree in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine in Finland or another EU/EEA state, or bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology or speech-language pathology in Finland
• The prospective research must be suited to the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research
• Prior degrees must enable applicants to conduct research in accordance with their plans

• Professional research careers
• Other demanding specialist positions
• Medical professionals in society, universities and healthcare units
• Doctor or other clinical work