General Structure

This section describes the structure of postgraduate degrees. From August 1, 2008 onwards, all students study according to the new Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) and the new rules and regulations concerning degrees at the Helsinki School of Economics.

It is not possible to register for the academic year 2008-2009 without transferring to new Degree Regulations 2005 that came into force on August 1, 2005. If you have not transferred to study according to the new degree regulations, read the instructions below. Students can also contact Doctoral Programs Planning Officer at doctoral(at)hse.fi or +358 9 4313 8732.

The Licentiate Degree

The Licentiate Degree comprises 150 ECTS. It consists of the following three parts:

1. Common Scientific Doctoral Studies 30 ECTS credits
2. Major Subject Studies and Research-Related Studies 30 ECTS credits
3. The Licentiate Thesis 90 ECTS credits

The Doctoral Degree

At the School of Economics both the Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) and the Doctor of Philosophy can be completed.

According to the Government Decree on University Degrees, Section 22, to be awarded a doctorate, the student must:

(1) complete the required postgraduate studies;
(2) demonstrate independent and critical thinking in the field of research; and
(3) write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in public.

The Degree of the HSE Doctoral Degree consists of:

1. Common Scientific Doctoral Studies 30 ECTS credits
2. Major Subject Studies and Research-Related Studies 30 ECTS credits
3. Doctoral Dissertation 180 ECTS credits

Parts 1 and 2 form the scientific postgraduate studies, which must be included in either the Licentiate or the Doctoral Degree.

The Common Scientific Doctoral Studies are offered in three different baskets; research capabilities, methodologies and methods, and economic theories. The persons in charge of each basket make the final decision on the acceptance of equivalent courses and compensation for them.

Replacing courses

Students who have started their studies after August 1, 2005 must complete a minimum of 18 ECTS credits from the HSE Doctoral Program in common scientific doctoral studies and 12 ECTS credits in major subject studies and research-related studies. Courses taken in other universities must be at least equivalent in terms of difficulty and extent. In addition, the content and work load should be sufficiently similar. The persons in charge of each basket must be consulted before taking such courses. Also courses completed in graduate schools, such as KATAJA are considered to be “courses taken in other universities”. Exceptions are courses with HSE course codes.

If the courses are already included in the minimum requirements for the basic degree, they cannot replace doctoral studies. (Note! There are different instructions for including the licentiate degree to the doctoral degree). An exception is the MBA program, which in some cases can replace certain complementary studies.

The student makes the application on a form which is available here Forms (Replacing doctoral studies).

The Personal Study Plan (PSP)

Students who have started their studies after August 1, 2005 must report on and submit a PSP once a year and also update it once a year. The Personal Study Plan is compulsory. The student and the major together are responsible for the PSP and its regular monitoring. The role of the doctoral program is supervisory.
Student must submit the PSP with their signature and that of subject to the director of the doctoral program by September 30. The PSP form is available here.

NOTE! Failure to submit a PSP by September 30 may result in suspension from the doctoral program.


Related links:

» The Degree Structure of the "old degree"
» Transitional rules for the New Degree Structure