Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences

The Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki covers social scientific research across the Faculty of Social Sciences and related fields. It includes global development studies, political history, social and cultural anthropology, social psychology, social work, sociology, economics, economic and social history, social and public policy, political science, media and communication studies, area and cultural studies, Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian studies, and human geography.

The degree has two parts: doctoral studies worth 30 credits and a doctoral thesis. Doctoral studies include discipline-specific studies such as a research seminar, theory and methodology studies, and internationalisation, together with general transferable skills, including compulsory research ethics and university education and career skills. Doctoral researchers can choose studies and completion methods that support their research and goals.

The programme is designed for doctoral researchers who want to develop as independent researchers and experts. The University of Helsinki states that it offers formal education, supervision, research ethics training, transferable skills training, and opportunities for international interaction and collaboration.

Modules

• Discipline-specific studies
• research seminar
• theory and methodology studies
• internationalisation
• Studies in general transferable skills
• research ethics
• university education and career skills
• Doctoral thesis

To obtain the right to study in the doctoral programme, you need a second-cycle (master’s) degree relevant to the prospective research topic and discipline. The degree must include sufficient studies and background knowledge in a field suited to the proposed thesis topic.

• researchers
• journalists
• public officials
• consultants