Doctoral Programme in Arts Subjects

The following major subjects are (as of 1.1.2025) included in the Doctoral Programme in Arts Subjects:

• English Language and Literature
• Philosophy
• Finnish Language
• French Language and Literature
• Gender Studies
• Comparative Literature
• Musicology
• Nordic Ethnology
• Nordic Folkloristics
• Study of Religions
• Russian Language and Literature
• Swedish Language
• German Language and Literature

• Art History
• General History
• Nordic History

Special criteria for admission to the Doctoral Programme in Arts Subjects

In addition to the general criteria for admission to a doctoral programme at Åbo Akademi University, a grade of no less than 4 (or magna cum laude approbatur) on the preceding thesis (Master’s thesis or equivalent) is required. If your thesis is given a grade lower than 4 (or magna cum laude approbatur), the proposed supervisor must submit a written recommendation on your behalf.

The research plan should be written according to the instructions found at Apply for a doctoral study right.

 

Study plan for the Doctoral Programme in Arts Subjects

The Doctoral degree includes:

• Research studies (40 credits)
• Doctoral dissertation (thesis)

If you choose to complete your Licentiate degree, this includes:

• Research studies (40 credits)
• Licentiate thesis

A Doctoral degree taken after a Licentiate degree only includes a Doctoral dissertation (thesis).

The estimated time needed for a doctoral degree (full-time studies) amounts to 3-4 years.

 

The doctoral researcher should plan their studies in consultation with their supervisors. Credits can be earned from the following groups (applies to doctoral researchers who are admitted to the doctoral programme after 1.1.2026):

Group 1 (max. 15 ECTS) – Seminar Participation

• Research seminars in the doctoral ressearcher’s own subject, max. 5 ECTS
• Summer schools, workshops, and other seminars, 1–2 ECTS each

Group 2 (max. 15 ECTS) – Presentation Skills

• Conference participation with or without presentation
  • Oral presentation, 4 ECTS
  • Poster presentation, 2 ECTS
  • Attendance only, 1 ECTS
• Scientific publications not included in the dissertation
  • Main author, 5 ECTS
  • Co-author, 3 ECTS
  • Book reviews, 2 ECTS

Group 3 (max. 15 ECTS) – Course Participation

• Theory and methodology courses
• Courses in academic writing
• Courses in research skills
• Subject-specific advanced studies

Group 4 (max. 15 ECTS) – Teaching and Supervisory Skills

• Academic teaching experience (own teaching, a full course or individual lectures/sessions), credits according to course scope
• Supervisory and review competence (supervision of Master’s thesis, 3 ECTS; review of Master’s thesis, 1 ECTS)
• University pedagogy courses