Doctoral studies: Required attachments
Table of contents
The instructions are valid during the 2025 admission rounds to doctoral programmes at JYU.
In addition to the application form, the applicant must submit to the Ģֱ the following documents. Please make sure that you have the required attachments in good time before the application deadline.
- Research plan
- Doctoral study plan
The research plan must be in English or Finnish or the language of the doctoral dissertation. Doctoral study plan must be in English or Finnish.
If the intention is to complete the doctorate as a full-time student, the dissertation research plan and the doctoral study plan will be designed to enable the doctorate to be completed in four years
When the applicant attaches a research plan to the application, he/she consents to have the plan inspected with an electronic plagiarism detection system (Turnitin). If you use AI-based applications to write your research plan, make sure that you follow the Ģֱ's guidelines and policies. Research plans are subject to the same guidelines as theses.
See below for the faculty-specific instructions for preparing the research plan and doctoral study plan.
Research plan
The research plan plays an important role in the application and its assessment. The length of the research plan, including references, should not exceed 2500 words. The research plan should include the following:
- the name of the applicant and the working title of the doctoral dissertation,
- the topic of the research and its relevance,
- research setup, research problems and the research questions,
- theoretical premises,
- research methods and data or sources,
- research ethical considerations,
- the structure of the doctoral dissertation (if an article dissertation, describe articles; if a monograph dissertation, the structure of the work), and
- the timetable for the research
When preparing your research plan, please also take into account the dissertation requirements of the Ģֱ and the possible additional dissertation instructions of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The research plan attachment does not need to include a funding plan. However, please note that there is a question on the funding plan in the application form. The funding plan can be based on the information found on the Doctoral dissertation funding page.
Doctoral study plan
A doctoral study plan contains a preliminary timetabled plan for both the doctoral dissertation and the additional doctoral courses and other professionally qualifying activities. Please note that
- the doctoral study plan must be in accordance with the curriculum 2024-2028 for doctoral studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
- The doctoral study plan should be drawn up on the form provided by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Research plan
The planned dissertation topic must be in line with the field of study and doctoral degree you wish to pursue.
The research plan should have headings that follow the template, see suggested template for a research plan.
Prepare a research plan with assistance of your intended supervisors. Attach the research plan to your online application preferably as a pdf file.
Doctoral study plan
Prepare your doctoral study plan (a personal plan for the coursework), based on the study requirements specified in . Follow the requirements of your specialisation. The minimum scope of studies in all specialisation options is 30 ECTS credits.
See also What can I study. Your intended supervisor-in-charge should accept your coursework plan before you attach it to your online application (preferably as a pdf file).
Research Plan
The research plan includes the motivation for the research, literature review, research questions, methodological solutions, expected findings, timing of the research, and references.
The planned dissertation topic must align with the field of study and the doctoral degree the applicant wishes to pursue. The applicant should familiarize themselves with the research conducted in the Faculty. The research plan plays a significant role in both the application process and its evaluation. The topic and content of the research are limited so that it is possible to defend the dissertation within 3–4 years of full-time study. More detailed requirements can be found on the Dissertation Requirements page.
The plan can be prepared either using the faculty's template or alternatively in a free format, provided that it includes at least the headings and themes outlined in the template. The proposed supervisor-in-charge must approve the research plan before the applicant attaches it to their application in Studyinfo (preferably in PDF format).
Doctoral Study Plan
The personal doctoral study plan includes the studies to be included in the doctoral degree, a career plan, mobility plan, and funding plan. The doctoral study right does not include funding, but the necessary funding must be applied for separately. The Doctoral dissertation funding page can be used as a guide when preparing the funding plan.
The doctoral study plan must comply with the 2024-2028 curriculum and the requirements of the specialisation, be realistic, and support the dissertation research. Curricula:
The applicant must have the necessary competence for the education at the time of admission, and all the courses required from the student and included in the doctoral study plan must be part of the minimum scope of the doctoral degree curriculum. No supplementary studies will be assigned to the applicant.
When preparing the study plan, it is also advisable to refer to the page What can I study.
The plan must be prepared using the faculty’s template. Note that there is a separate template for the Business Studies and another for the Economics. The proposed supervisor-in-charge must check the suitability of the studies and approve the doctoral study plan before the applicant attaches it to their application in Studyinfo (preferably in PDF format).
Doctoral Programme in Business Studies - doctoral study plan template
Doctoral Programme in Economics - doctoral study plan template
Supervisor’s Endorsement
The applicant must attach to their application in Studyinfo an endorsement from a supervisor-in-charge, confirming their support for the research and doctoral study plan and their commitment to supervision.
The endorsement can be prepared using the provided form, which the supervisor signs. Instead of the form, an email or other similar endorsement from the supervisor is also accepted as an attachment to the application.
The supervisor-in-charge must be employed by the Ģֱ, be a member of the faculty’s teaching and research staff, hold a doctoral degree, and have sufficient scientific merits. If the applicant is selected, a follow-up group must be appointed for them. Instructions related to supervisors and follow-up group can be found on the page Main Stages in applying -Find out the availability of relevant supervision.
All doctoral programmes in the Faculty of Education and Psycholoy
The research plan is written on the faculty's template.
Doctoral programme in Education
Personal doctoral study plan: the student records in the first draft of doctoral study plan the studies to be included in the doctoral degree with the number of credits and any substitute studies. The first draft of doctoral study plan drawn up during the application phase is made in cooperation with the supervisor, who checks the suitability of the studies. The doctoral study plan form also contains the signatures of the supervisors and the member of the follow-up group. With their signatures, they commit to the supervision. The signatures can be replaced by email approval (for example 'With this email I confirm that I am committed to act as one of the (or main) supervisor(s) / member of the follow-up group of N.N.') The doctoral study plan is created using the doctoral programme's doctoral study plan form. Doctoral study plan must be in accordance with the . The first draft of the application phase will be followed by the final doctoral study plan within six months of acceptance and the dean will confirm it.
Research plan: research plan must fall within the domains of research strategy of the department/faculty which can be found on the faculty's research webpages. In addition to the justification for the research, starting points and goals and methodological choices, the research plan includes a schedule and funding plan. The research plan can be supplemented and refined as the studies progress and can also be used in funding applications. The research plan consists of a maximum of 5 pages of text (line spacing 1.5, font Times New Roman 11) and a list of references (does not count towards 5 pages). The research plan is written on the template, see above.
Doctoral programme in Psychology
Personal doctoral study plan: the student records in the first draft of doctoral study plan the studies to be included in the doctoral degree with the number of credits and any substitute studies. The first draft of doctoral study plan is made in cooperation with the supervisor, who checks the suitability of the studies. The doctoral study plan form also contains the signatures of the supervisors and the member of the follow-up group. With their signatures, they commit to the supervision. The signatures can be replaced by email approval. The doctoral study plan is an action plan structuring doctoral studies, in relation to which the progress of the studies and dissertation is a assessed in the follow-up group meetings. The plan should be drawn up as realistic as possible and should take into account the individual life situation. The doctoral study plan is created using the doctoral programme's doctoral study plan form. Doctoral study plan must be in accordance with the . The first draft of the application phase will be followed by the final doctoral study plan within six months of acceptance and the dean will confirm it.
Research plan: in addition to the justification for the research, starting points and goals and methodological choices, the research plan includes a schedule and funding plan. The research plan can be supplemented and refined as the studies progress and can also be used in funding applications. The research plan consists of a maximum of 5 pages of text (line spacing 1.5, font Times New Roman 11) and a list of references (does not count towards 5 pages). The research plan is written on the template, see above.
Doctoral programme in Cognitive Neuroscience
Research plan: you need to have a high quality research plan that meets with the focus areas of research of the faculty. The research plan is written on the template, see above.
Doctoral study plan: you need to attach the doctoral study plan in your application. In the doctoral programme of cognitive neuroscience, you need to complete 30 ECTS credits in addition to the doctoral dissertation and there are mandatory courses that need to be done. The doctoral study plan is created using the doctoral programme's doctoral study plan form. Doctoral study plan must be in accordance with the . The signatures can be replaced by email approval. If you get accepted to the doctoral programme, you need to complete the final study plan within six months of acceptance.
Please note that in the case that an applicant fulfills the eligibility requirement with respect to having a suitable Master’s degree, and has some background related to the field of study, but does not have the sufficient specific knowledge (i.e., prior documented studies) in cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience or closely related to this, supplementary studies must be completed prior to advancing to the content studies requiring this background knowledge (discipline specific studies of doctoral programme). Doctoral programme in cognitive neuroscience may, thus, require supplementary studies to achieve the skills required for doctoral studies. The evaluation of the extent of supplementary studies needed to ensure sufficient level of knowledge and skills needed for the study programme is carried out by the board of the doctoral programme and decided by the Dean of the Faculty.
Research Plan
The research plan includes for example the scientific justification of the research, research questions, goals, methodological solutions, timing of the research, and financing plan. The doctoral study right does not include funding, but the necessary funding must be applied for separately. The Doctoral dissertation funding page can be used as a guide when preparing the funding plan.
The planned dissertation topic must align with the research conducted within the Faculty; thus, the applicant must familiarize themselves in advance with the Faculty’s research areas.
The research plan plays a significant role in both the application process and its evaluation. The topic and content of the research are limited so that it is possible to defend the dissertation within 3–4 years of full-time study. More detailed requirements can be found on the Dissertation Requirements page.
The working group for postgraduate studies takes into account the following evaluation criteria when assessing the research plan:
- Convincing scientific justification of the research
- Realistic, clearly stated funding plan and timeline
- Logical flow between theoretical background, research questions, and methodology
- Description of research design, methods, study variables, and participant recruitment supports the feasibility of the plan
The plan must be prepared using the faculty’s template. The maximum length of the plan is 6 pages (title page and references are not counted), font Palatino Linotype size 12, tables size 10, and page margins 2.54cm.
The supervisors, follow-up group member and the main representative of the subject must approve the research plan before the applicant attaches it to their application in Studyinfo (preferably in PDF format). The approval form can be found under the heading “Supervisors’ Approval Form”.
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences - Research plan template
Note: Template updated on March 25, 2025!
Doctoral Study Plan
The personal doctoral study plan includes the studies to be included in the doctoral degree. The study plan must comply with the 2024-2028 curriculum and the requirements of the specialisation, be realistic, and support the dissertation research. Curricula:
The applicant must have the necessary competence for the education at the time of admission, and all the courses required from the student and included in the doctoral study plan must be part of the minimum scope of the doctoral degree curriculum. No supplementary studies will be assigned to the applicant.
If the applicant wishes to include credits earned through work (max. 10 ECTS) in their studies, they must be recorded in the doctoral study plan. The work must be other demanding tasks than the dissertation itself (teaching, research work, participation in the development of the department or university, work done outside the university).
When preparing the study plan, it is also advisable to refer to the page What can I study.
The plan must be prepared using the faculty’s template. The proposed supervisor-in-charge must check the suitability of the studies and approve the doctoral study plan before the applicant attaches it to their application in Studyinfo (preferably in PDF format).
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences - doctoral study plan template
Supervisors’ Approval Form
The applicant must attach an approval form to their application in Studyinfo, signed by all supervisors, the follow-up group member, and the main representative of the subject. By signing the form, they confirm their support for the application and their commitment to their tasks.
The supervisor-in-charge must be employed by the Ģֱ, be a member of the faculty’s teaching and research staff, hold a doctoral degree, and have sufficient scientific merits. The other supervisors (1-2) do not need to be employed by the Ģֱ. The follow-up group includes at least one person with doctoral degree, who is not the supervisor of the student in question and is not closely linked to student's dissertation research, for example as a co-author, or in a role that enables the production of research-based information. Follow-up group members may be external to the University. Instructions related to supervisors and follow-up group can be found on the page Main Stages in applying - Find out the availability of relevant supervision.
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences - Supervisors' approval form
Research plan
Prepare the research plan with assistance of your supervisor(s). If you wish, you can use this research plan template.
Doctoral study plan
In the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, the doctoral study plan (a personal plan for the coursework) must be prepared using one of the forms below. Select the correct form, save on your own device, fill in and attach to your online application in the Studyinfo portal (as pdf, if possible).
- Form for the coursework plan (study plan), Doctoral Programme in Biological and Environmental Science
- Form for the coursework plan (study plan), Doctoral Programme in Physics
- Form for the coursework plan (study plan), Doctoral Programme in Chemistry
- Form for the coursework plan (study plan), Doctoral Programme in Mathematics and Statistics
Prepare your study plan based on the study requirements specified in the curriculum of the doctoral programme for the period 2024-2028:
See also What can I study.
Your intended supervisor-in-charge should accept your coursework plan before you attach it to your online application.
- Degree Certificate
- Transcript of records
Documents must be either officially certified copies of the original documents, or the original official documents.
If you apply with a degree awarded by a Finnish higher education institution, please note the country-specific requirement for Finland!
- Official translation of degree certificate
- Official translation of the transcript of records
Required if the educational document is issued in a language other than English, Finnish or Swedish.
If you demonstrate your language skills with a language test or language proficiency certificate, attach the result of the language test or the language proficiency certificate to your application.
If you would like to be evaluated on the basis of a scientific publication or other research report instead of the grade of your thesis, please attach the publication or research report to your application.
Other documents that are required by faculty, such as a CV or motivation letter.
See below which other attachments you should attach to your application. The documents must be written in English or Finnish.
All applicants for doctoral programmes in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will be required to submit as an attachment a CV and a motivation letter. Below are more detailed instructions for these.
CV
A curriculum vitae (CV) must be attached to the application. The CV should be written in accordance with The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) CV format. For guidance on the TENK CV format, please visit . The maximum length of a CV is 3 pages.
Motivation letter
A motivation letter must be attached to the application. The maximum length of the motivation letter is 700 words. The motivation letter should include at least the following information:
- why you want to apply for doctoral studies
- briefly describe what you have previously studied and how it relates to the field of research you are applying for
- what your career and employment goals are and how doctoral studies will contribute to them
- why you are applying to the Ģֱ
In addition to the attachments specified in the general guidelines, you need to attach to the application
- a resume (curriculum vitae, CV), preferably as a pdf file. The resume (CV) should be attached to the application form.
- a letter of recommendation from the intended supervisor-in-charge. Ask your intended supervisor-in-charge to send a recommendation letter to doctoral-studies-it@jyu.fi by the end of the application deadline. The letter is not included in the online application.
Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics requires Supervisor’s Endorsement (see the heading "Research plan and doctoral study plan").
The Faculty of Education and Psychology does not require specific faculty-specific documents.
The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences requires Supervisors' approval form (see the heading "Research plan and doctoral study plan").
Applicants for doctoral programmes in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science must include in their online application a letter of motivation and a curriculum vitae (CV).
Applicants may be interviewed and/or asked to provide a video. Applicants will be contacted if they are invited for an interview. Instructions for a video, if needed, will be given in the application instructions or in person after the the application period has ended.
Applicants of the Doctoral Programme in Biological and Environmental Science, Specialisation in Clinical Cell Biology (please note: the Specialisation in Clinical Cell Biology (in Finnish, sairaalasolubiologin opintosuunta) is only offered in Finnish): Bio- ja ympäristötieteiden tohtoriohjelman sairaalasolubiologin opintosuuntaan haettaessa hakemukseen on muiden vaadittujen hakuasiakirjojen lisäksi liitettävä:
- Suunnitelma kliinisestä harjoittelusta. Suunnitelman tulee sisältää kliinisen harjoittelun ohjaajien nimet ja aikataulu harjoittelun järjestämisestä.
- Kliinisen harjoittelun ohjausryhmän jäsenten nimet. Suositus on, että kliinisen harjoittelun ohjaajia ovat harjoittelupaikan sairaalasolubiologi ja patologian ylilääkäri. Ohjausryhmään nimetään ohjaajien lisäksi ainakin yksi ulkopuolinen sairaalasolubiologi ja yksi tutkimusalan asiantuntija. Kliinisen harjoittelun ohjausryhmän jäsenet voivat kuulua myös tohtoriohjelman seurantaryhmään.
- Kliinisen harjoittelun ohjaajien ja ohjausryhmän jäsenten suostumukset allekirjoituksilla.
Lisäksi bio- ja ympäristötieteiden tohtoriohjelman johtoryhmä pyytää hakemuksiin lausunnon sairaalasolubiologikoulutuksen pätevyyslautakunnalta ja toimittaa lausunnon edelleen tiedoksi tiedekuntaan, joka tekee lopulliset päätökset opiskeluoikeuksista.