In my experience, most people think about coming to Finland for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. I have seen very few people who want to move to Finland for a Ph.D. program. Well, obviously, I saw a lot of people who came for master’s, continuing to pursue Ph.D., but I saw only a few people coming directly to start their Ph.D.
I would like to inform you that there are many opportunities across Finland for pursuing a Ph.D. If you are interested in Ph.D. programs, today’s blog is for you!
Benefits of getting a doctoral degree:
First, let’s think about why you would even consider pursuing a Ph.D. in Finland:
- You will achieve a world-wide recognized doctoral degree from a reputed university.
- Doctoral degree holders are more eligible for the job market.
- The universities offer amazing networking opportunities.
- The quality of life and work-life balance in Finland is one of the highest in Europe.
- You will have at least 3 research paper publication opportunities.
- The salary range is quite good compared to many other countries.
- You will get a mobile phone and laptop at the start.
- Along with a regular salary, you will get Epassi, which you can use for transportation, meals, etc.
Universities that offer doctoral programs:
Let’s check out the universities that offer Ph.D. programs to students. Here they are:
- Aalto University
- University of Helsinki
- University of Eastern Finland
- University of Jyväskylä
- University of Lapland
- LUT University
- University of Oulu
- Hanken School of Economics
- University of the Arts Helsinki
- Tampere University
- University of Turku
- University of Vaasa
- Åbo Akademi University
Usually, Ph.D. programs are designed to last 3 to 4 years. These programs can be fully funded or partially funded.
How to find Ph.D. programs in Finland?
- You need to keep an eye on the university doctoral studies pages.
- Check out the ongoing projects in the universities.
- Reach out to professors/program coordinators with your research proposal and ask them.
- Keep an eye on LinkedIn. Often, doctoral positions are advertised on LinkedIn.
- Search on Google for “Doctoral positions in Finland” and check out the websites to know more.
A doctoral degree can help you to accelerate in your career
How to apply?
The application process varies in different universities. They will have enough information regarding the application in the advertisement. Just follow them, and you will be fine.
Requirements:
- A degree granting eligibility to apply. Note that you have to have a master’s degree that allows you to apply for doctoral studies. In my degree certificate from the University of Oulu, it was clearly mentioned that I will be able to apply for Ph.D. programs.
- Required proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/equivalent).
- Submit all other relevant documents (such as passport, CV, etc.) by the final submission date.
Salary & Funding:
The salary during doctoral studies varies depending on the availability of funding. From my experience, I saw some positions offer starting salaries of €1800 in some universities. Recently, at the University of Oulu, I saw some positions offered with a starting salary of €2400. In many cases, this varies based on your previous experiences. If you have some academic or professional experience, the chances are high that you will get more than the starting salary.
The funding of the doctoral program is allocated for one year in the beginning. In some cases, the funding is ensured in the beginning for the whole doctoral period. Please check this condition in your contract. Your validity of visa often depends on the period for which your funding is granted.
Recommendation:
If you are planning to get admission in the engineering field, you should highly consider Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Oulu.