Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences

The Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences leads to the Doctor of Health Sciences or the Doctor of Philosophy. It covers biostatistics, epidemiology, gerontology, global health and development, health economics, health services research, health sociology, nursing science, public health, social psychiatry, and social and health policy. The programme aims to build scientific thinking, good scientific practice, and the skills needed to conduct research independently.

Studies and supervision are intended to last four years. The programme has three modules: general academic competences, discipline- and field-specific studies, and a doctoral dissertation. Students draw up a personal study and supervisory plan with their supervisors. The dissertation is an independent scientific thesis that must be defended in public.

The programme is aimed at students with a master's degree or equivalent. Tampere University says the doctoral degree can prepare graduates for academic roles, expert positions in society, supervising students, and leading research groups.

Modules

• General academic competences
• Compulsory studies
• General research studies
• Research methods
• Discipline- and field-specific studies
• Seminar
• Other studies
• Doctoral Dissertation

A master’s degree or equivalent is required. For the Doctor of Health Sciences degree, the previous educational background must be a master’s level qualification in the field of health sciences.

• researcher
• teacher
• expert positions in society
• supervising students
• leading research groups