Doctoral diploma and graduation

The instruction belongs to the following themes

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

Once you have completed the studies required for a doctoral degree and the faculty council has approved your doctoral thesis, you can graduate as a doctor. You can submit a graduation request in Sisu once you have completed the required study modules and once information on the approval of your thesis has been recorded in Sisu.

Submitting a graduation request

The graduation request is submitted through your personal Sisu study plan. Before submitting the request, please take a moment to carefully read the Sisu user instructions on applying for graduation.

Before you submit a graduation request in Sisu, please consider also the following:

  • You must be registered as an attending doctoral student throughout the thesis examination process, until the date of graduation. If the public examination of your thesis takes place in the summer months, you should also remember to register as an attending student for the autumn term because the faculty council will not approve your thesis until the autumn. A degree cannot be awarded to a student who has not registered at the University.
  • You cannot submit a graduation request in Sisu until your approved doctoral thesis and the study modules required for a doctoral degree are indicated as completed in your study plan. Most faculties require that modules have been compiled by the stage the preliminary examination of the thesis is about to begin or, at the latest, in connection with granting the student permission to defend the thesis at a public examination. If you have completed study modules in accordance with the old degree requirements, you must apply for their approval for your study plan before you can graduate. Please read the instructions for the registration of study modules and confirm the timetable for completing studies in your faculty’s instructions for initiating the preliminary examination process.
  • Doctoral graduates who have written their doctoral thesis in English and who have publicly defended it in English will, upon request, be awarded an English-language certificate in addition to a Finnish- or Swedish-language certificate. The same applies to theses written and defended in languages other than Finnish, Swedish or English. If your doctoral thesis and its public examination meet the above conditions, please remember to mention in the additional information field of the graduation request whether you wish to receive an English-language certificate.
  • N.B. If you are completing a bi-national double degree (cotutelle), don't forget to mention this in your diploma request. See Sisu user instructions on applying for graduation for further information.

Graduation date

The date of graduation is the date when the graduation request has been submitted in Sisu and the studies required for the degree are verified as having been completed and recorded.

A notification will appear in Sisu when your graduation request has been approved.

The degree certificate and appendices

The degree certificate is composed of three parts: the actual certificate, a transcript of studies required for the degree, and a diploma supplement intended for international use and including information on the University and the completed degree, its level and its status in the Finnish education system.

The language of the transcript of studies depends on the language of the degree certificate. In addition, all graduates receive an English-language transcript of studies, regardless of the language of their degree certificate.

Processing time of graduation requests

Certificates are delivered in approximately two to three weeks' time from the submission of the graduation request. During peak times in May, June and December, as well as during holiday periods, delivery may take longer.

You can collect your degree certificate from your faculty’s Student Services. If necessary, the certificate can also be sent by post to the address you provided in your certificate request.

Further information on copies and translations of degree certificates

Expiry of the right to complete a degree

Your right to complete a degree expires on the date of graduation, after which you can no longer complete studies and have them registered at the University of Helsinki, unless you hold another valid right to study.

If you have been registered only for the autumn term and graduate during that term, you can no longer register for the next spring term after graduating.

If you are a member of the Student Union, your membership will continue for as long as your registration for attendance is valid (until 31 December or 31 July). You are free to take advantage of all student benefits as long as your membership is valid.

User account expiration

The students' user accounts are valid for one term or one semester at a time, depending on enrollment.

  • until Sep 30th for those enrolled for a term or for the spring semester
  • until Jan 31st for those enrolled for the autumn semester

For more information, please see helpdesk sites.

Faculty graduation ceremonies

Once a semester, faculties organize graduation ceremonies to celebrate their newly graduated Bachelors, Masters and Doctors. More information on your own faculty's graduation ceremony is available in the graduation instructions for undergraduate and graduate students.

Conferment ceremony

In addition, the faculties organize festive conferment ceremonies (promootio) at regular intervals, where masters and doctorates get to celebrate their degrees in a prestigious setting.

More information about the faculties' conferment ceremonies and traditions on the university's website

Doctorates and alumni activities

Everyone who has obtained a degree at the University of Helsinki are alumni of the university.

More information about alumni activities and joining the alumni community.