What are doctoral studies like?
As a doctoral student, you are part of an international academic community. The doctoral research and studies develop you into an expert of your research topic and build your professional capacity.
How to apply for doctoral studies?
There are different routes to doctoral studies. The admissions 91ÇàÇà²Ý University's six doctoral programmes are organised separately by each programme. Find out what is required of you and what we offer!
Loading table of contents
Career opportunities and employability for Aalto doctoral students
Doctoral degree from Aalto opens new doors and broadens your thinking and capabilities.
Research & Art
Our research focuses on seven key areas combining four core competences in the fields of digitalisation, materials, arts, design and business together with three grand challenges related to energy, living environment, and health.
Why Aalto?
Excellent possibilities for doctoral studies and research at Aalto University and its campus!
How to apply?
Two routes to doctoral studies and research
- Applying for a doctoral researcher’s salaried position first and then applying for the study right in a doctoral programme after the recruitment process. This route is more common in the field of technology.
- Applying for the study right in a doctoral programme and either being hired as a doctoral researcher by the Department later or having funding for doctoral studies from another source. This route is more common in the fields of art and design as well as business.
Application instructions (study right in a doctoral programme)
Each doctoral programme has their own processes, schedules, requirements and instructions for their applicants.
Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture (ARTS)
Aalto Doctoral Programme in Business, Economics and Finance (BIZ)
Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering (CHEM)
Aalto Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering (ELEC)
Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering (ENG)
Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science (SCI)
After reading the application instructions you may contact the Doctoral education services of the Doctoral programme you are interested in for more information.
Application schedules (study right in a doctoral programme)
| Doctoral programmes | Application periods | Admission decision and start of studies |
|---|---|---|
| Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture (ARTS) | Feb-March annually, 2nd phase in April-May | Admission results in June, start of studies in Aug/Sep |
| Aalto Doctoral Programme in Business, Economics and Finance (BIZ) | Dec-Jan annually | Admission results in Feb, start of studies in Aug/Sep |
| Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering (CHEM) | 3 times a year in 2025: January, May and October | within two months |
| Aalto Doctoral Programme in Elecrical Engineering (ELEC) | continuous | within a month (excluding July) |
| Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering (ENG) | Twice a year | within two months |
| Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science (SCI) | continuous | within a month (excluding July) |
Schools can decide about additional application periods if necessary.
Applying for the salaried position of a doctoral researcher
Salaried doctoral researcher positions are applied for separately from the admission process to the doctoral programme. If you get accepted to a salaried position first, do note that you will need to separately apply for the study right in a doctoral programme to be able to complete the doctoral degree.
When salaried doctoral researcher positions are open, they are advertised at Aalto University Open positions. Any questions regarding the advertised salaried positions should be directed to the professors and HR personnel only, not to admission services or Doctoral education services.
Eligibility and language requirements in doctoral admissions
Information on the eligibility requirements and how to prove your language proficiency in doctoral admissions
Graduate survey 2022Aalto has a great community and infrastructure to conduct research.
Funding
The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are
- working in a salaried doctoral researcher position
- personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies
Most Aalto doctoral students combine different funding sources during their studies.
How to find and apply for funding for doctoral studies and research?
Generally Aalto University does not offer scholarships for doctoral studies.
Fees and costs
Aalto University doctoral studies are free of tuition fees. Aalto University does not charge fees for enrollment to the University. Doctoral students are welcome to join the Aalto University Student Union. The membership of the Student Union is subject to an annual fee. Read more about the .
If you need a residence permit for research in Finland, please see more information about income requirement at the .
Contact information
If you don't know which doctoral progamme is relevant for your, read more about discovering your research topic and finding a professor.
If you have questions about applying for the study right in one of your doctoral programmes, please contact our Doctoral education services staff. Before contacting us, please read through the instructions for applicants.
Doctoral education services
We support doctoral students, supervising professors, thesis advisors and doctoral programme directors in matters related to doctoral studies.