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Doctoral students at Aalto University answer a follow-up survey of the progress of their doctoral studies and research every year. The purpose of the yearly follow-up survey is to follow the progress of doctoral students, offer them support and collect statistical information on general level to develop the support for doctoral students.

While answering the survey and based on their answers doctoral students get instructions and links for further information which are tailored to their situation. Doctoral students may also request to be contacted personally at the end of the survey.

Doctoral students actively working towards their degree responded

The survey was sent to the 3476 doctoral students of Aalto University in December 2024 and 33% answered. 70% of the respondents studied full-time and around 20% part-time. Almost half of the respondents were in the midway of their studies and around one-third had just started. 10% answered that they will graduate soon and 12% were soon starting the pre-examination. The novelty in this 2024 survey was that the doctoral education pilots were included, and 82 respondents were part of one of Aalto’s 3-year pilot projects.

57% of the students answered that they had confirmed funding until the estimated end of their studies. Four out of five respondents had been able to follow their research plan during 2024 and almost two fiths reported that they had updated their DPSP (Doctoral Personal Study Plan) during this calendar year. Doctoral students should discuss and agree on their DPSP with their supervising professor at least once a year. DPSP in the current format has been required of doctoral students since 1 August 2021.

More than 80% of the respondents answered that they meet their supervising professor and thesis advisor frequently enough and 20% of them answered that they even meet very frequently.  

In their wishes for developing the supervision practices at Aalto many doctoral students emphasized the need for regular, prearranged and structured supervision. Especially in the beginning of the studies the need for more support was mentioned.

Internationality and mobility

Half of the respondents were Finnish and 38% had a citizenship from non-EU/EEA countries. 9% had a citizenship of an EU/EEA country other than Finnish. One tenth of respondents had conducted a mobility period abroad, reporting a total of 99 mobility periods in year 2024.

Processing of the results

It was possible to request for a personal contact through answering the survey. Around 14% of the respondents hoped to be contacted. The students were able to choose categories which they would like to discuss about. The most popular themes were the progress and situation of research and studies in general, Doctoral Personal Study Plan (DPSP), supervision, funding and wellbeing.

The survey results are processed at general level in the doctoral education working group DEWG and in the Schools' Doctoral programme committees. The results will be used to develop doctoral education and the support and services for doctoral students.

The yearly follow-up survey is organized by the Doctoral education services.

Privacy notice of the yearly follow-up survey (aalto.fi)