Doctoral personal study plan (DPSP)
Instructions for doctoral students making their personal study plan
Doctoral personal study plans to be checked
All doctoral students must have a Doctoral personal study plan (DPSP) confirmed by the supervising professor. During the autumn 2025, we will pay special attention to the follow-up of DPSPs at Aalto University. Doctoral education services will review the DPSPs and the supervising professors' confirmations stored in the information system. If the DPSP or the supervising professor's confirmation is missing, a reminder will be sent by email.
Doctoral personal study plan DPSP is an important tool both for doctoral students and their supervising professors. It ensures that all parties share an understanding of agreed matters and that studies progress according to schedule. The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) also recommends creating and updating study plans to avoid interaction problems.
Every doctoral student must have a DPSP, confirmed by their supervising professor, in Aalto’s information system, as stated in the Doctoral degree regulations. New students receive instructions via email on submitting their DPSP to the MyStudies platform at the beginning of their studies. Supervising professors confirm DPSP in the Student Success Hub.
We recommend that doctoral students and supervising professors discuss the current points of the DPSP at least biannually, for instance in January and August. Doctoral researchers employed by Aalto can also do this in biannual MyDialogue discussions. Also take note of possible DPSP related midterm review or advisory board practices at your School.
With enhanced follow-up of DPSP, we are preparing for a renewal of the system for the planning and follow-up of doctoral studies and research. In the future, the MyStudies (students) and Student Success Hub (supervising professors) interfaces will better serve their users.
What can a doctoral student do right away?
Check that
- you have an up-to-date DPSP in MyStudies under Task 6 (at CHEM, the Task number depends on the phase of the studies of the student)
- you have marked the Task 6 as completed, and
- your supervising professor has confirmed your DPSP in the Notes section and attached the confirmed version of your DPSP.
If this is not the case, refer to the instructions and follow them.
If you need support with practical or technical questions, participate in the monthly online Sisu and THOPS clinics arranged by Doctoral Education Services.
Make sure to discuss the current aspects of your DPSP with your supervising professor annually/biannually.
What can the supervising professor do?
Make sure to discuss the DPSPs of your new doctoral students, and confirm them in the Student Success Hub when the student requests it.
Make sure to discuss with your doctoral students the current points of their DPSPs annually/biannually. This will ensure that you will always have up-to-date plans by your doctoral students in the Student Success Hub.
When you receive a request from your doctoral student to confirm their DPPS in the system, refer to the supervising professor's instructions if necessary.
If you need assistance, contact your doctoral programme's Doctoral Education Services.
Technical considerations
When reviewing DPSP, it is important to note that the doctoral student submits the DPSP document to MyStudies under Task 6 (at CHEM, the Task number depends on the phase of the studies of the student) and marks Task 6 as completed. This Completed status is made by the student themselves, and does not imply that the supervising professor's confirmation is not required. However, this mark is important for follow-up purposes.
DPSP is confirmed in MyStudies/Student Success Hub, not in Sisu. The doctoral student should NOT request approval for their credit plan in Sisu before the end phase of their studies. See more information on the doctoral student's technical Sisu instructions.
Answers to questions doctoral students frequently ask
No, they don't. You must have at least one DPSP confirmed by your supervising professor in the system at the start of your studies. After this, confirmation is required if your supervising professor, thesis advisor, research topic or research field changes or if your funding situation changes significantly.
You can, for example, register for courses in Sisu without having your DPSP confirmed.
Please also note that before the pre-examination phase, DPSP must be approved if you have changed your credit plan (Sisu) after your supervising professor last confirmed it.
Yes, you do. You must have at least one DPSP confirmed by your supervising professor in the system at the start of your studies. After this, confirmation is required if your supervising professor, thesis advisor, research topic or research field changes or if your funding situation changes significantly.
Please also note that before the pre-examination phase, DPSP must be approved if you have changed your credit plan (Sisu) after your supervising professor last confirmed it.
Only those students whose doctoral thesis has already been submitted for pre-examination do not have to do anything in MyStudies (or whose plans have already been confirmed for their upcoming pre-examination).
Before you can submit your DPSP to MyStudies, Doctoral Education Services must have activated the tasks and sent them to you in the system. This is usually done at the beginning of doctoral studies, but activation may be missing for older students. Contact the Doctoral Education Services of your doctoral programme and let them know you want to submit your DPSP to MyStudies.
Firstly, it is good to remember that supervising professors need to access and confirm the DPSP in the Student Success Hub, not in MyStudies (only students can access MyStudies).
If the problem prevails, be in touch with your doctoral programme's doctoral education services, your responsible professor is probably not added to your support team in the system, and thus cannot view your plans.
More information
Sisu and DPSP clinics for doctoral students
Online clinic to help you with Sisu and Doctoral Personal Study Plan
Doctoral education services
We support the whole university in matters related to doctoral studies, especially doctoral students, supervising professors, thesis advisors and doctoral programme directors.
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