Aalto Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering

The most talented students may receive funding from their department, or they may fund their studies through projects or grants. Students should discuss funding primarily with their supervising professor. The doctoral programme also offers funded positions for doctoral candidates; the call for applications is twice a year. However, the Aalto ELEC Doctoral School is not considered as a primary funding source when applying to the Doctoral programme.

Funding for research often consists of a variety of sources and requires continuous writing of applications and proposals, or at least vigorous planning for doing so. Research is based on projects and their funding is of a different sort. There are some foundations and various grants and scholarships administrated by Aalto University that support research and research-related activities.

Internationality is an integral part of the doctoral education in both recruiting and educating doctoral candidates. The doctoral candidate's international mobility is chiefly aimed at the development of research and at international networking. Mobility may be relevant not only for future employment prospects but also for developing international career opportunities. Aalto University encourages every doctoral candidate to spend at least a six-months period abroad during their studies.  

Doctoral candidates are advised to contact their supervising professor and/or advisor to find out which university would be most useful in terms of their education. Professors usually have personal contacts to universities and research institutes abroad, and can help to select the most suitable one for each student’s research work. Visiting a foreign university or research institute often means sharing knowledge and know-how, creating new ideas, expanding international networks, and developing one’s professional skills.

Cotutelle agreement – joint supervision

The Aalto University encourages doctoral degrees that are jointly supervised with an international partner. These agreements, referred to as ‘Cotutelle Agreements’, are for joint supervision of the studies and supervision of a single doctoral candidate. Such doctoral candidates are awarded degrees and the associated certificates from both universities.

Cotutelle agreements are part of the university's aim to achieve and maintain international cooperation is an integral part of the doctoral education of Aalto University, and one method for such cooperation is such arrangements for the joint supervision of doctoral degrees. A doctoral candidate may earn a double degree under a joint supervision arrangement between two universities provided that the joint supervision is based on genuine scientific cooperation, bringing added value to the doctoral thesis and enhancing the quality of the research.

Cotutelle agreements should be made at the beginning of the studies, but they require that the student possess a right to study at Aalto University before any agreement is made.

Doctoral education networks offer universities a framework for educational collaboration. The networks organize joint seminars, courses, summer schools and events as well as promote networking and increase peer support among students. Most of the networks are based on former graduate schools (1995-2015), but some new networks have also been established.

The School of Electrical Engineering has committed to participate in the following Doctoral Education Networks in 2018-2021:

1. DELTA - Doctoral training network in Electronics, Telecommunications and Automation
2. HICT - Helsinki doctoral education network in information and communications technology
3. NEE - Doctoral Education Network for Electrical Energy Engineering

Applicants can apply to the Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering once a month (except July).

Full-time doctoral studies

Full-time doctoral students plan their studies with the aim of completing a doctoral degree within four years of their admission to the doctoral programme. Full-time doctoral students need to have funding allocated for the doctoral studies (e.g. project funding, a personal grant or funding from an employer). Students working outside of Aalto University who wish to be full-time doctoral students must provide a document of their employers' approval for full-time doctoral studies (80% of their working hours must be dedicated to doctoral studies).

Autumn term 2020

Only complete applications will be processed. Supplementing the application may have an effect on its processing date. The right to study starts on the day when the admission decisions are made, but the study place is not established until the applicant has accepted the study place offered. The applicant will have 4 weeks time to accept the study place.

Part-time doctoral studies

Part-time doctoral students are those who do not meet the above-mentioned requirements for full-time doctoral students. Their studies are planned in such a way that the time spent on doctoral studies will last longer than four years, but no more than eight years. A part-time doctoral student typically has a main occupation outside the School of Engineering, which occupation does not include scientific research for the doctoral thesis.

From 1 August 2016 onwards applicants who have been given an offer of admission may accept only one student place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (Universities Act 558/2009). Higher education degrees include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees awarded by universities as well as degrees from universities of applied sciences.

The academic terms run from 1 August to 31 December and from 1 January to 31 July. The acceptance of a student place is binding and cannot be cancelled. Even if the accepted applicants postpone the commencement of studies or give up their right to study, they cannot accept another study place leading to a higher education degree starting the same academic term.

The general eligibility criteria for higher education are defined in section 37 of the Universities Act (558/2009) and in the Aalto University Admissions Criteria for 2020. Eligible applicants for studies leading to an academic licentiate or doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Science will have completed:

• a relevant master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university;
• a relevant master’s degree awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences; or
• a relevant study programme abroad which in the awarding country confers eligibility for the corresponding level of higher education.

Policy on the recognition of degrees awarded outside Finland

Applicants holding a degree earned abroad are eligible for doctoral studies provided their degree gives them eligibility for corresponding higher education in the awarding country. As a rule, a degree earned abroad is recognized at Aalto University if it includes at least four years of studies, including a dissertation similar to the master’s dissertation, and that such studies in the view of the school equip the applicant with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue doctoral studies at the School of Electrical Engineering. A precondition for the recognition of European degrees is that the degree be a university degree combination earned in accordance with the Bologna Process principles (3+2 years).

If the applicant’s degree or education differs from the description above, but makes the applicant eligible for doctoral studies in the country that awarded the degree or the institute that provided the education, the applicant must provide a document confirming his/her eligibility for doctoral studies in the country where the education was given.

Policy on the recognition of master’s degrees from Finnish universities of applied sciences

The potential for successful doctoral studies of applicants with an applicable Finnish master ’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences will be assessed by the school case by case. If the school deems the applicant with a master's degree in an applicable field as having potential for completing the doctoral degree, the applicant will be assigned a sufficient amount of supplementary studies to allow him or her to start the doctoral studies. The extent of supplementary studies may not, however, exceed 60 ECTS. If the extent of necessary supplementary studies exceeds this maximum, the applicant will be advised to first pursue the master's degree in the university before applying for a right to pursue doctoral studies. When assessing the applicants’ potential for doctoral studies, the School shall take into account that the extent of the master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences is 60-90 ECTS, whereas the extent of a university master’s degree is 120 ECTS.

International applicants with a degree corresponding to a Finnish master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences are subject to the same rules as those with a Finnish degree.

The professor (i.e. supervising professor) who is in charge of the research field the applicant is applying to is responsible for the academic evaluation of the applicant. The Doctoral Programme Committee will also evaluate the applicant.

Requirements for an applicant

1. Adequate knowledge in the research field applied for (gained through studies in the Master’s degree or equivalent). When necessary, the School may set prerequisites for admission to the doctoral programme that may be gained, for instance, by taking master-level courses.
2. Sufficient basic knowledge that supports the dissertation work and the writing of the dissertation.
3. An excellent command of Finnish, Swedish or English

Required grades in the master´s degree (on the scale 1 - 5)

• The master’s thesis has been completed with the minimum grade of  3/5.
• The master’s degree (excluding the master’s thesis, i.e. the weighted average of the courses) that is the basis for the doctoral studies has been completed with an average grade of 3/5 or higher.
  • If the master’s degree was earned in accordance with the degree regulations of 1995 or at an earlier time (when the bachelor’s and master’s degrees were not separated), the weighted average of the courses is calculated of the major of the degree (excluding the master's thesis). The average grade must be 3/5 or higher.

The same criteria is applied to applicants with a foreign degree and different grading system.

Other selection criteria (academic evaluation)

1. The content of the university degree(s) completed
2. Previous study success 
3. The quality and international regard of the applicant's degree and university
4. Research potential, previous research experience:
   • work experience in research
   • conference papers
   • articles, etc.
5. The relevance and orientation of the research topic to the focus areas of the Department
6. Research plan: the theoretical and practical novelty value of the research topic and the feasibility of the plan (quality, realism, methodology etc.)
7. Time use and resources for doctoral studies:
   • feasibility of the study plan, realistic time available for courses and research work over the next 4 years
8. The university's resources for guidance in the research area
9. Other reasons presented by the applicant

If these conditions are not met, but the applicant is otherwise suitable for doctoral studies, the applicant may raise his/her grades or the school may set prerequisites for entry.

The School of Electrical Engineering may accept equivalent attainments completed in other schools as prerequisites on the grounds of the supervising professor’s written statement.

Language of degree of a doctoral candidate

Doctoral candidates will define in their application for doctoral studies the language in which they will pursue their degree (the language of the degree). The possible languages are Finnish, Swedish, or English. If the doctoral candidate chooses to write his/her doctoral thesis (a monograph or a compiling part of a compilation thesis) in Finnish or Swedish, the language of degree will be Finnish or Swedish. The language of the degree is approved by the doctoral programme committee.

The language of the degree can, on reasonable grounds, be changed later if e.g. the language of the doctoral thesis changes. A freely formulated, signed application indicating reasons for why the language of degree should be changed, must be submitted to the doctoral programme of the School of Electrical Engineering, at the latest, at the same time as the degree certificate application.

Finnish or Swedish as the language of degree

A doctoral candidate whose language of degree is Finnish or Swedish will be granted the degree certificate in Finnish or Swedish along with a translation in English. If the doctoral candidate writes his/her thesis in Finnish or Swedish, the language of the degree will always be Finnish or Swedish, despite the earlier choice of language.

English as the language of degree

If the doctoral thesis is written in English, the doctoral candidate can choose English as the language of degree.

If the doctoral candidate’s language of degree is English, he or she will be granted the degree certificate in English and in Finnish or Swedish. The language of degree will be mentioned in the diploma supplement, and it will be indicated in the degree certificate that two degree certificates have been given.

Language requirements

Successful applicants must have an excellent command of Finnish, Swedish or English. Applicants are required to attach an official language test report to their application.

The following groups are exempted from the language test requirement:

Applicants who have completed a higher education degree:

• taught in Finnish, Swedish or English at a university or university of applied sciences in Finland; or
• in an English-medium programme at a university or university of applied sciences in an EU/EEA country, in which case the language of the degree must be stated unambiguously in the degree certificate or its appendix, or in the transcript of records or other official document issued by the awarding institution; or
• in an English-medium programme at a higher education institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States while residing in that country; or
• who have received their primary and secondary education in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States.

A minimum of one half of the degree must be completed in a country and higher education institution that meet the requirements for exempting the student from taking the English test in Finland.

Only the above-mentioned groups are exempted from the language test requirement; for all other applicants the official English language test result is an obligatory application document and applications without the adequate test result will not be accepted.

The accepted language tests and their minimum scores

The minimum requirements are very strict. If your score does not fulfill the minimum requirements, you are not eligible to apply and your application cannot be accepted.

1. IELTS (Academic only): 6.5, and 5.5 for Writing;
2. TOEFL:
   1. iBT (Internet-based Test): 92, and 22 for the Writing section or
   2. PDT (Paper-Delivered Test) Reading 22, Listening 22, and Writing 24
3. C1 Advanced: A, B or C
4. C2 Proficiency: A, B, C or Level C1
5. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A): 62, and 54 for writing;

No other English proficiency tests are accepted. If an applicant has taken several language tests, the best official score that is still valid and received by Aalto University by the deadline will be considered in the admissions. You cannot combine scores from different test dates (e.g. TOEFL MyBest scores is not accepted).

ALL applicants are required to provide the following application documents

1. Application form / Hakemuslomake
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) that includes a list of publications and proof of other scientific activity
3. Preliminary study plan for 40 ECTS courses to be completed. (The study plan must be signed by the applicant and the supervising professor.)
   • Structure of the doctoral degree 40 ECTS
   • Doctoral courses should be indicated with D in the course name
   • Course information at MyCourses.aalto.fi
   • Check the current courses for doctoral studies
   • Check the courses suitable for the Scientific practices and principles module
4. Preliminary research proposal and schedule for its completion. The proposal must include the signatures of the applicant and the professor in charge of the research field applied for (i.e. supervising professor). Example. The research proposal includes:
   • The schedule of the research
   • Implementation of the scientific plan
   • The professor in charge of the field of research who is committed to supervising the doctoral thesis (signature)

5. Preliminary funding plan (if the funding plan is not part of the research plan)

6. Supervision plan (must be signed by the applicant and the supervising professor)

7. Copy of passport or other official identification that indicates the citizenship of the applicant

NOTE: Applicants who are applying for a full-time doctoral right to study should do their personal study plan in a way that allows for the doctorate to be earned in four years of full-time study.

Applicants with a master’s degree earned at an institution other than Aalto University should also provide the following documents:

• Certified copy of the master’s degree certificate, official transcripts of records and the diploma supplement (if applicable) and their translations, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish or English. Upload a copy to the application system and then visit our office to show us the originals. The originals need to be shown before admission.
• If needed, a document confirming your eligibility for doctoral studies (please check the eligibility criteria above), and an official translation, if the original document is not in Finnish, Swedish or English.
• Abstract of the master's thesis in English
• Proof of proficiency in Finnish, Swedish or English

Before submitting the application

• The applicant should contact the professor in charge of their intended research field of doctoral studies and the supervision of their studies. Applicants are urged to ensure that their expertise and research interests are commensurate with those of the research group that they apply to (and with those of the supervising professor of their studies).
• In order to prepare for the discussion, it is beneficial to prepare a CV (along with a possible list of publications) and a preliminary research plan for the intended doctoral studies.
• In addition, a study plan, a funding plan and a supervision plan should be discussed with the supervising professor.
• At this point the applicant’s eligibility and prerequisites for doctoral studies will be checked by the supervising professor.
• The possible prerequisites for entry will also be discussed. If needed, the professor may set prerequisites for admission to the doctoral programme.
• The professor also assesses the applicant's aptitude for doctoral studies, and the suitability of the thesis topic for the research field;
• The professor also evaluates the adequacy of the supervising resources.

More information about the rights and responsibilities of the doctoral candidates and the supervising professor  

When signing the research proposal and other documents of the applicant, the professor commits him/herself to supervising the thesis.