This postgraduate study guide is aimed at all current and prospective postgraduate students at the School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies (LTL) at the University of Tampere. It contains the School's regulations on scientific postgraduate studies, which were approved by the School's Board on 13 June 2012.
For more information on postgraduate courses offered to all doctoral students regardless of their line of study, please visit the website of the University's Doctoral School.
At the University of Tampere, the call for student applications for doctoral programmes is twice a year; for more information on applying, please visit the LTL and Doctoral School websites.
If you have any questions on applying for postgraduate studies and earning a postgraduate degree at LTL, please contact the person in charge of postgraduate affairs at LTL. This person also acts as the rapporteur for postgraduate affairs on the LTL Board.
1. SCIENTIFIC POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION AT LTL
Duration of Postgraduate Studies
3. CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR LTL'S DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES
Curriculum Guide for the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies
Curriculum Guide for the Doctoral Programme in Literary Studies
4. POSTGRADUATE DEGREE REGULATIONS
International Cooperation in Postgraduate Studies
Custos, Opponents and the Evaluation Board
Date and Place of the Public Defence
Entrance and Opening the Defence Proceedings
1. SCIENTIFIC POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION AT LTL
The postgraduate degrees offered at the School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies are the Licentiate of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy. A licentiate degree is the optional intermediate step towards the doctoral degree. The Universities Act (558/2009), the Universities Decree (115/1998) and the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) stipulate the guidelines for the content, organisation and completion of university degrees in Finland. The General Regulations Governing Degrees of the University of Tampere, along with Board-approved regulations and curriculum guides, supplement the above-mentioned acts and decrees.
At the University of Tampere, postgraduate education is organised as doctoral programmes. The University's Doctoral School coordinates research training and plans and provides postgraduate courses available to all doctoral students regardless of their line of study. For more information about the University's Doctoral School, please visit http://www.uta.fi/english/doctoralschool/index.html.
The School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies offers two doctoral programmes: the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies and the Doctoral Programme in Literary Studies.
Postgraduate students may earn a degree in one of the following fields of study:
In the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies:
- English Philology
- Scandinavian Languages
- Translation Studies (English, French, Swedish, German or Russian)
- French Language
- German Language and Culture
- Finnish Language
- Russian Language and Culture
In the Doctoral Programme in Literary Studies:
- Finnish Literature
- Comparative Literature
The Government Decree on University Degrees (Decree 794/2004: Chapter 5, sections 21–24) describes the general objectives of postgraduate education and the principles governing the completion of postgraduate degrees as follows:
The aim of postgraduate education is that the student
- becomes well-versed in his/her own field of research and its social significance and gains knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research methods independently and critically and to produce new scientific knowledge within his/her field of research;
- becomes conversant with the development, basic problems and research methods of his/her own field of research; and
- gains such knowledge of the general theory of science and of other disciplines relating to his/her own field of research as enables him/her to follow developments in them.
To be awarded a doctoral degree, a student must:
- complete the required postgraduate studies,
- demonstrate independent and critical thinking in the field of research, and
- write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in public.
A postgraduate student may apply for the licentiate degree after he/she has completed the postgraduate studies required for a licentiate degree as determined by the University.
An integral part of the licentiate degree is the licentiate thesis, through which the student must demonstrate that he/she is well-versed in his/her own research field and can apply research methods independently and critically.
The objective of the doctoral programmes at LTL is to train professionals who are qualified to work in demanding research and teaching posts at universities or in other professional positions that require a profound theoretical and methodological knowledge of the field.
The main component of a doctoral degree is the independent doctoral dissertation, which is aimed at allowing students to accumulate research skills and acquire an in-depth understanding of their field. Although each student writes his/her dissertation independently, LTL offers personal supervision and programme-specific research seminars to promote students' learning and progress. Over the course of their studies, postgraduate students also become part of the scientific community, which gives them an opportunity to advance their research and widen their view of science. In addition, it teaches them to interact within the scientific community and tie their field to a wider social network. International research contacts and networks are also built systematically during postgraduate studies.
Research not only develops skills required in scientific work, but also skills important in work life and social activities in general, including critical thinking, mastery of research methods, problem-solving skills, argumentation skills and communication skills. To guarantee that a graduate's expertise is not too limited, a doctoral degree should comprise both studies in the student's field and studies that improve his/her general scientific expertise.
The primary purpose of postgraduate studies is to develop students' professional skills. For this reason, postgraduate studies are always individually tailored. Doctoral degree holders can work in demanding teaching and research positions, for example, or in cultural management and scientific governance, as pedagogical skills, social skills, leadership skills, project management abilities and knowledge of business and financial administration are required for these positions. An excellent command of scientific communication methods makes graduates better equipped to hold socially influential positions as well. This is important both for science, the individual and society in general.
Duration of Postgraduate Studies
At the University of Tampere, postgraduate students are admitted to a doctoral programme for five years, i.e. are granted the right to study for that period of time. If their right to study expires, students may apply for an extension for one year at a time.
The Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) specifies ECTS credits as the measure for completion of university studies. A course's workload determines the number of credits offered for that course. On average, a student should complete 60 ECTS credits per academic year; this corresponds to roughly 1600 hours of work performed by the student.
Studies in doctoral programmes are generally planned to take four years, which means student should be able to complete postgraduate studies by studying full-time for a total of four years. However, postgraduate studies may also be pursued part-time.
The normal duration of postgraduate studies is four years, and 240 ECTS credits are required to gain a doctoral degree. To complete all postgraduate studies in four years, then, a full-time student should complete 60 ECTS credits per year. A doctoral degree programme consists of the following:
- A doctoral dissertation: 200 ECTS credits
- Other studies: 40 ECTS credits
The expected duration of the licentiate degree is two and a half years, and 140 ECTS credits are required. These credits are accepted toward the doctoral degree, should a student wish to continue studying. The licentiate degree consists of the following:
- Licentiate thesis: 100 ECTS credits
- Other studies: 40 ECTS credits
LTL offers courses, seminars, etc. that are relevant in the dissertation work and research fields of postgraduate students. In collaboration with the doctoral programmes, LTL also provides subject-specific research seminars and other courses for postgraduate students. The University's Doctoral School organises courses for all doctoral students at the University (see http://www.uta.fi/english/doctoralschool/jointstudies/index.html).
LTL may also offer postgraduate courses in collaboration with the University's other schools and other universities. To assist postgraduate students in making international contacts, LTL cooperates with partner universities outside Finland. Postgraduate students studying in national doctoral programmes may also make use of the courses offered by these programmes.
Postgraduate students primarily pursue studies in their research field at the University of Tampere. They may, however, also take courses at other universities in Finland or abroad, provided they are able to obtain the right to study there (e.g. through the JOO programme or an exchange programme).
For more information on postgraduate courses, visit LTL's website at add link and the Doctoral School's website at http://www.uta.fi/english/doctoralschool/jointstudies/index.html.
3. CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR LTL'S DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES
At the School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies, postgraduate students must complete 140 ECTS credits to earn the Licentiate of Philosophy degree and 240 ECTS credits to earn the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Curriculum Guide for the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies
The normal duration of postgraduate studies for a doctoral degree is four years, and 240 ECTS credits are required, which means that full-time postgraduate students should earn 60 ECTS credits (1600 hours of work) a year if they want to complete their studies in four years. The studies consist of the following:
- A doctoral dissertation: 200 ECTS credits
- Other studies: 40 ECTS credits
The following make up the 40 ECTS credits of other studies:
1. Research- and work life-related studies: 10 ECTS credits
- General postgraduate courses offered by the University or LTL or other suitable courses as specified in the student's personal study plan.
2. Studies in the student's research field: 20 ECTS credits
- Regular attendance at the doctoral programme's research seminar
- Studies advancing the student's research as specified in his/her personal study plan
- Activities in connection with scientific organisations, publications, conferences, etc. as specified in the student's personal study plan
3. Free choice studies advancing the student's research and scientific expertise: 10 ECTS credits
- As specified in the personal study plan
The expected duration of studies for the licentiate degree is two and a half years. The licentiate degree requires 140 ECTS credits, but these credits count towards the doctoral degree if the student continues to study. The licentiate degree consists of the following:
- A licentiate thesis: 100 ECTS credits
- Other studies: 40 ECTS credits (see above)
Curriculum Guide for the Doctoral Programme in Literary Studies
The normal duration of postgraduate studies for a doctoral degree is four years. The degree requires 240 ECTS credits, which means that full-time postgraduate students should complete 60 ECTS credits (1600 hours of work) a year if they want to complete their studies in four years. The studies consist of the following:
- A doctoral dissertation: 200 ECTS credits
- Other studies: 40 ECTS credits (these credits are included in the licentiate degree)
The following make up the 40 ECTS credits of other studies:
1. Studies in the student's research field: 20 ECTS credits
- Regular attendance at the doctoral programme's research seminar
- Studies advancing the student's research, as specified in his/her personal study plan
- Activities in scientific organisations, publications, conferences, etc., as specified in the personal study plan
2. Free choice studies advancing the student's research and scientific expertise: 20 ECTS credits
- As specified in the personal study plan
The normal duration of studies for the licentiate degree is two and a half years. The licentiate degree requires 140 ECTS credits, but these credits count towards the doctoral degree if the student continues to study. The licentiate degree consists of the following:
- A licentiate thesis: 100 ECTS credits
- Other studies: 40 ECTS credits (see above)
4. POSTGRADUATE DEGREE REGULATIONS
The University's Doctoral School opens for applications for postgraduate studies twice a year: in May and November (http://www.uta.fi/english/doctoralschool/applying/index.html). For more detailed instructions on applying, please see the call for applications.
The number of postgraduate students admitted to a school is determined each year in performance negotiations between the school and the University. The number of postgraduate students admitted must be proportional to the number of students graduating, the estimated need for graduates with doctoral training, and LTL's teaching and supervision resources.
Before applying for postgraduate studies, applicants must contact the postgraduate supervisor for their prospective major.
According to section 37 of the Universities Act (558/2009), a person must have received one of the following to be eligible for admission to postgraduate studies:
- an applicable higher university degree,
- an applicable higher polytechnic degree,
- an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding higher education.
The ability and aptitude of postgraduate students is assessed on the basis of the following principles:
- The scientific quality and relevance of the student's research and study plan, and the feasibility of their implementation.
- The relevance of previous studies and the proposed research topic to the study programme the student is applying for admission to.
- The availability of competent supervision.
- The applicant's skills and knowledge, the grade received for his/her Master's thesis (preferably at least a magna cum laude approbatur) and the language proficiency necessary to complete the doctoral programme.
- The degree of promise and motivation shown by the applicant.
Candidates may be interviewed during the application process to assess their ability and aptitude. Assessments of individual postgraduate students are not made public.
The structure of a student's research plan should follow the instructions of the Academy of Finland to the extent possible. A research plan must include the following: the topic, background, objectives, methods and data of the study, and information on schedule and funding (see http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/For-researchers/How-to-apply/Appendices/Research-plan/).
LTL's Postgraduate Committee processes applications, and the Dean decides who will be admitted.
Postgraduate students are granted the right to study for a doctoral degree. If they wish, students may earn the licentiate degree before their doctoral degree.
Postgraduate students are admitted to the doctoral programme for a period of five years: if their five-year right to study expires, they may apply for an extension of one year at a time. The expected duration of studies will be agreed on and fixed on a case-by-case basis, especially in the case of part-time doctoral students. A postgraduate student must update his/her personal study and supervision plan together with his/her supervisor once a year. In this connection, so-called "passive" postgraduate students may decide to give up their right to study.
When a postgraduate student is admitted to a doctoral programme, the University sends him/her a letter of acceptance and enrolment instructions.
Already-admitted postgraduate students must enrol either as "present" or "absent" at the beginning of each academic year as instructed by the Registrar's Office or they will lose their right to study. Should a student later wish to continue his/her studies, he/she must submit a written request for re-admission to the Registrar's Office.
As a rule, postgraduate students are assigned two supervisors. At least one of them must be a professor or a docent at the University of Tampere or have docent-level scientific qualifications.
All questions regarding LTL's postgraduate programmes should be addressed to the person in charge of postgraduate affairs at LTL. Postgraduate students are advised to subscribe to LTL's e-mail list for postgraduate students to remain informed and up to date. Students should also visit the University's website regularly for general news about postgraduate studies. For more information aimed at all postgraduate students, please visit http://www.uta.fi/english/doctoralschool/jointstudies/index.html.
Each postgraduate student must draw up a written study and supervision plan together with his/her supervisors. The plan must specify the name of the lead supervisor and the duties and responsibilities of the supervisors and the student. The plan must also include the student's preliminary schedule and a description of the supervisors' intended course of action. The purpose of supervision is to support and train the student in independent scientific work and to develop the student's professional skills and career prospectives. A student must update his/her study and supervision plan once a year.
If a student substantially changes his/her dissertation, he/she must update the plan together with his/her supervisors. In such cases, students may even be required to draw up a new research plan.
Good supervision practices require that both parties adhere to moral and ethical norms and act responsibly. Supervisors should also familiarise themselves with the University's guidelines on good supervision practices and take the University's supervisor training course. In a good supervisory relationship, the duties, responsibilities and rights of both parties are defined as soon as possible. Postgraduate students are entitled to sufficient professional supervision, but they must also commit to it and acknowledge that writing a dissertation is a demanding long-term project.
If there are problems with the supervision, the Postgraduate Committee will consider them and suggest a solution to the Dean.
International Cooperation in Postgraduate Studies
If a postgraduate student pursues studies both at the University of Tampere and at a non-Finnish university (taking a so-called "joint degree" or cotutelle), the lead supervisor must contact the person responsible for postgraduate affairs at LTL to ensure that all relevant matters are considered and the necessary documents drawn up. The University's rules, regulations and agreements must be followed, even in earning a joint degree.
Section 22 of the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) lists the formal requirements for the doctoral dissertation. All doctoral dissertations must meet these requirements.
To be awarded a doctorate, a postgraduate student must write a dissertation and defend it in public.
The doctoral dissertation is a substantial scientific thesis based on independent research, and it must be defended in public. If the dissertation is a monograph, its manuscript must be previously unpublished.
A doctoral dissertation must produce new scientific knowledge and demonstrate critical thinking, a profound knowledge of the field and its methods, and the ability to apply these methods. It can be a manuscript of an unpublished dissertation (a monograph), an integrated entity made up of scientific publications or manuscripts approved for publication paired with a summary article (an article-based doctoral dissertation), or another type of work that fulfils the scientific criteria.
An article-based doctoral dissertation must form an integrated research entity, and the objectives, methods and results of the study must be presented in the summary article. The research entity must include at least four articles (depending on their scope). An article-based dissertation is made up of three parts: introduction, articles and conclusions. None of the publications or manuscripts may be exclusively referential: every publication or manuscript must contain new results or introduce new points of view.
Publications may also include co-authored publications if the postgraduate student's independent contribution can be shown. The candidate must present a written clarification of his or her contribution to the collective research when the doctoral dissertation is handed in for the preliminary examination. All the requirements concerning the doctoral dissertation apply not only to a monograph but also to an article-based dissertation. An article-based doctoral dissertation may not include parts of the candidate's previous dissertation.
The dissertation can be written in Finnish, Swedish or English, or, with the consent of the Dean of the School, in another language. In the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies, the Dean's consent is not needed if the candidate wishes to write his/her dissertation in the language studied (English, French, German or Russian). If a doctoral candidate writes his/her dissertation in a language other than the language he/she studied, he/she must present the LTL Board with a proofreader's (e.g. a native lecturer's) report on the language, style and format of the manuscript or, in the case of an article-based dissertation, the summary article. For example, a student must submit a proofreader's report if he/she majors in Russian Language and Culture but writes his/her dissertation in English. The proofreader's report must be submitted along with the dissertation manuscript. If the dissertation is written in Finnish, it must include a two- or three-page abstract in English; if the dissertation is written in another language, the abstract must be in Finnish. The defence proceedings are conducted in Finnish or the language of the dissertation, or, with the consent of the Dean, in another language.
A doctoral dissertation is examined in two stages: the preliminary examination and the public defence. Before submitting his/her manuscript for preliminary examination, a student must make certain that his/her supervisor and the relevant professor consider the dissertation to be ready for examination.
The Dean of the School appoints preliminary examiners, and the LTL Board grants permission to publish and appoints opponent(s) and evaluation boards. The Board also ultimately decides whether a doctoral dissertation will be approved and what grade it will receive.
In the preliminary examination, the field's conventions and the rules on the unacceptability of preliminary examiners must be considered.
To obtain permission to defend it as a doctoral dissertation, a student must submit his/her dissertation manuscript in three complete paper copies in a binder to the person responsible for postgraduate affairs. In the case of article-based dissertations, previously published articles do not need to be republished. However, even article-based dissertations must be submitted to LTL in three complete copies.
Questions about submitting a manuscript should be addressed to the person responsible for postgraduate affairs at LTL. A student must submit with the manuscript his/her academic transcript listing all postgraduate courses etc. and a copy of his/her licentiate degree certificate, if any.
Each dissertation is assigned at least two objective docent-level preliminary examiners. The preliminary examiners are appointed by the Dean on the recommendation of the professor in charge of the relevant major, but before their appointment, the author of the dissertation is given an opportunity to comment on the possible unacceptability of the prospective examiners. A researcher working in the field of the dissertation at the University of Tampere, a person who has acted as a supervisor in connection with the dissertation in question, or a person who can in some other way be considered unacceptable due to the likelihood of bias may not serve as a preliminary examiner.
The purpose of the preliminary examination is to ensure that the manuscript meets the formal and scientific requirements for the most advanced academic theses. The preliminary examination is thus the stage at which LTL and preliminary examiners can influence the quality of the dissertation. Preliminary examiners are asked to submit a written report on whether the manuscript has scientific value sufficient to allow the student to be granted permission to defend it as a doctoral dissertation. If the dissertation is article-based, the preliminary examiners' reports must also indicate whether the themes of the separate publications comprise an integrated set of problems. If an examiner's report is negative, the preliminary examination process can be discontinued on the student's request. Once the professor or the supervisor grants permission, the preliminary examination process can be resumed.
A preliminary examiner's report must clearly indicate whether or not the examiner recommends that the student be granted the permission to publish and publicly defend the manuscript as a doctoral dissertation, i.e. whether the manuscript meets the criteria set for a doctoral dissertation. The indication may not be conditional in any way. In their reports, the preliminary examiners may also suggest corrections and improvements. The reports must be submitted not later than three months after the examiners are appointed. Based on these reports, the LTL Board then either grants or denies permission to publicly defend the manuscript as a dissertation. Before the Board takes its decision, the student has the right to submit a response to the reports.
All matters related to the preliminary examination are administered by the person responsible for postgraduate affairs. Preliminary examiners submit their reports to this person, who then sends copies to the postgraduate student, supervisors and the professor in charge of the relevant major.
Permission to publish a dissertation is granted by the LTL Board. Copies of the preliminary examiners' reports are sent to the student not later than four days prior to the Board meeting. At this point, the student may wish to submit a response to these reports. If the student wishes to respond, he/she can ask that the decision on publishing the dissertation be postponed to the next Board meeting.
Custos, Opponents and the Evaluation Board
Once permission to publish the dissertation has been granted, the Board will appoint a custos and at least one opponent for the public defence of the dissertation. The custos will represent the University at the public defence proceedings. As a rule, opponents should not be employees of the University of Tampere. Before the opponents are appointed, the author of the dissertation is given an opportunity to comment on the potential unacceptability of the prospective opponents. The student's supervisors may not act as opponents.
The evaluation board is made up of the opponent(s), the custos and an external docent. Before the evaluation board is appointed, the author of the dissertation is given an opportunity to comment on the potential unacceptability of any prospective members.
The LTL Board appoints the evaluation board on the recommendation of the relevant professor.
Date and Place of the Public Defence
The doctoral candidate must contact the custos, opponents and the person responsible for postgraduate affairs at LTL to find a suitable time for the public defence. The doctoral candidate must also book the lecture hall. The Dean of the School will then fix the date and place.
The public defence of a doctoral dissertation is an event at which the doctoral candidate defends his/her dissertation. A public defence is open to everyone. The chair of a public defence is the custos, whose duty is to ensure that the doctoral candidate and opponents have enough information about how the defence proceedings are to take place. The defence of a doctoral dissertation generally follows certain traditional customs and formal requirements (see Chapter 6). The main participants may negotiate the arrangements beforehand.
The dissertation can be published:
1. in an electronic format
2. in both an electronic format and in print (parallel publishing)
3. in print
The instructions on publishing a dissertation and sending out a press release can be found at the Library's website at http://www.uta.fi/kirjasto/en/tup/publishing_dissertation.html. The doctoral candidate must submit 15 copies of the dissertation in print or in paper to the person responsible for postgraduate affairs at LTL at least 14 days before the public defence is to be held. LTL will deliver these copies to the opponents, the custos, the members of the evaluation board, the Dean of the School, the Vice Dean of the School, Communication Services, the LTL Office and the members of the LTL Board who have a PhD. The postgraduate student must submit 15 paper copies of the dissertation, even if it has only been published electronically. If the dissertation is published by a publisher other than the University of Tampere, the doctoral candidate must submit 18 copies of the dissertation to LTL. Ten copies will be delivered to the above-mentioned parties and three will be submitted to the Library.
The doctoral candidate must also submit 50 paper copies of the abstract to LTL 14 days prior to the defence proceedings. The abstract must present the research question, data, main methods and the most significant results of the study. Copies of the abstract are handed out at the defence proceedings.
If the dissertation is article-based, 15 full paper copies must be submitted to LTL, including all publications and the summary article. In addition, as with any type of dissertation, 50 copies of the abstract must be submitted to LTL. Both the summary article and the abstract must include a full list of the articles in the dissertation.
The manuscript must include a separate title sheet stating the time, date and place of its defence. The sheet must also state that the dissertation will be presented with the permission of the School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies (LTL).
Copies of the dissertation must be submitted to LTL at least 14 days prior to the defence proceedings. The person responsible for postgraduate affairs will deliver copies of the dissertation to all relevant parties. Please turn to this person if you have any questions.
All doctoral candidates must also fill out a dissertation form online at the Library's website two weeks prior to the defence. The form can be accessed at https://elomake3.uta.fi/lomakkeet/6488/lomake.html.
Before the public defence proceedings are held, the dissertation can be read at LTL and online at the University website. Details about the defence and availability of the dissertation are published on the LTL and University websites at least ten days prior to the defence.
After the defence proceedings, the opponents submit their written reports to LTL. An opponent's report must indicate whether the dissertation should be approved and propose the grade to be given. Before the dissertation is graded, the custos will present a written evaluation of how the defence proceedings went. The custos will also submit the evaluation board's grade proposal to LTL. If a member of the evaluation board voices a divergent opinion, it must be stated in the grade proposal, which must be signed by the custos and the external docent.
The reports of the opponents and the evaluation board must be submitted to the person responsible for postgraduate affairs not later than one month after the defence proceedings were held. The LTL Board decides whether a doctoral dissertation will be approved and what grade it will receive. The opponents' reports and the evaluation board's grade proposal must be submitted to the doctoral candidate at least four days before the Board meeting at which the dissertation will be discussed. If the candidate wishes to respond to the reports or the grade proposal, he or she may do so at this time. The candidate can also request that the grading of the dissertation be postponed to the next Board meeting for this reason.
A petition for reconsideration of the dissertation grade must be submitted to the LTL Board within 14 days of their announcement of the grade.
According to LTL's definition, a doctoral dissertation is a substantial scientific thesis based on independent research. It must produce new scientific knowledge and demonstrate critical thinking, a profound knowledge of the field and its methods, and the ability to apply these methods. Research must be scientifically respectable and adhere to the ethical norms concerning documentation, referencing, research frames and other studies. (See "Good Scientific Practice and Procedures for Handling Misconduct and Fraud in Science" by the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics in Finland, 2002.)
The dissertation is evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
- The research topic, research problem and research questions
The topic should be scientifically significant, yet defined in enough detail; a dissertation should not be one's mission in life. The significance of the findings and conclusions should be evaluated on the basis of the extent to which the author introduces new ideas or insights, the way research questions have been approached and possibly answered, the quality of the author's findings, and possible advancements in the accuracy of the findings.
- Taking previous research into account
The study must either be a relevant addition to a previous discussion or on a completely new topic. Previous studies must be taken into account, but they may not be repeated as such.
- Conceptual clarity, definitions and theory
The purpose and topic of the dissertation must be clear to the reader.
- Methods
The author must present his/her methods and justify why just these methods have been chosen. The quality of the author's research must be considered: how carefully the research was conducted, what methods were used, how relevant and good these methods are, whether new methods were developed and, if so, how they were applied.
- Data
The data must be relevant and sufficient.
- Findings and conclusions
The scientific significance of the findings and conclusions may not be exaggerated or downplayed. The analysis must be consistent and take different viewpoints into account. Interesting openings for further research and the social meaning of the research may also count to the author's credit.
- Form
The dissertation has a logical structure and a clear linguistic form. The author may not allow a good idea be buried under an information overload.
- Critical attitude
The author must critically review previous research, theories, methods, data, sources and the scientific significance of his/her dissertation. In other words, a good dissertation must be original and independent.
- Public defence
The evaluation board must also consider how well the doctoral candidate defended his/her dissertation at the defence proceedings.
The grading scale for an accepted dissertation is, from the lowest grade to the highest: approbatur, lubenter approbatur, non sine laude approbatur, cum laude approbatur, magna cum laude approbatur, eximia cum laude approbatur, and laudatur.
Approbatur. The dissertation has severe deficiencies, but it fulfils LTL's basic criteria for a dissertation and follows the ethical norms of research. (See "Good Scientific Practice and Procedures for Handling Misconduct and Fraud in Science" by the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics in Finland, 2002.)
Lubenter approbatur. In relation to the evaluation criteria, the dissertation has several significant deficiencies without adequate compensative merits.
Non sine laude approbatur. In relation to the evaluation criteria, the dissertation has some significant deficiencies without adequate compensative merits.
Cum laude approbatur. The dissertation is good. The language and the concepts are well-defined; the research problem, methods and results are well justified and based on relevant data. The special merits of the dissertation compensate for any deficiencies.
Magna cum laude approbatur. In relation to the evaluation criteria, the dissertation has clear merits without invalidating deficiencies.
Eximia cum laude approbatur. In relation to the evaluation criteria, the dissertation has several significant merits without invalidating deficiencies.
Laudatur. The theme of the dissertation is ambitious, and the work is especially distinctive, independent and original in relation to all essential evaluation criteria.
Once a doctoral candidate has completed all the required studies, he/she applies for a degree certificate using a specific application form. The application must include the student's academic transcript and a list of all courses, seminars, etc. recorded in the personal study plan, and it must be submitted to the person responsible for postgraduate affairs at LTL. The applicant is asked to ensure that all his/her studies have been registered correctly before submitting the application. The application form is available online on the LTL website.
The doctoral degree certificate states the title and grade of the dissertation and the subject it belongs to. Complete study modules are also listed on the degree certificate. An official academic transcript listing all courses etc. taken for the degree is enclosed with the degree certificate.
An integral part of the licentiate degree is a licentiate thesis, through which the student must demonstrate that he/she is well-versed in his/her own research field and can apply research methods independently and critically.
The licentiate thesis can be a monograph or an article-based thesis with at least two scientific publications or manuscripts approved for publication paired with a summary article. The objectives, methods and results of the study must be presented in the summary. Publications may also include co-authored publications if the postgraduate student's independent contribution can be shown.
The licentiate thesis can be written in Finnish or Swedish, or, with the consent of the Dean of the School, in another language. In the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies, the Dean's consent is not needed to write a thesis in the discipline's language (English, French, German or Russian). If a postgraduate student writes his/her thesis in some other language than the language studied, he/she must present the LTL Board with a proofreader's (e.g. a native lecturer's) report on the language, style and format of the manuscript or, in the case of an article-based thesis, the summary article. For example, a student must submit a report if he/she majors in Russian Language and Culture, but writes his/her dissertation in English. A proofreader's report must be submitted along with the thesis. If the licentiate thesis is written in Finnish, it must include a two- or three-page abstract in English. If it is written in another language, the abstract must be in Finnish. The public examination is conducted in Finnish or the language of the thesis, or, with the consent of the Dean, in another language.
A one-page summary must be attached to the thesis which presents the research subject, data, main methods and most significant results of the study and the suggested course of action. The summary can be written in Finnish or Swedish. If the author wishes not to have the summary published with the thesis, then this must be mentioned in the summary.
More detailed instructions on publishing a licentiate thesis are available online at the Library website: http://www.uta.fi/kirjasto/en/publishing/thesis.html.
The licentiate thesis must be submitted in three binder copies to the person responsible for postgraduate affairs.
The Dean of the School assigns each thesis at least two examiners, who submit a written statement and propose a grade for the thesis.
After the Dean has assigned the examiners, the department will arrange a public licentiate seminar which is a part of the examination process. At least one of the examiners must be present at the seminar.
At the seminar, the author will have the chance to respond to the comments made on the thesis. Notes taken during the seminar will be delivered to the Board members together with the examiners' reports. The examiners' reports must be submitted to the postgraduate student at least four days before the Board meeting at which the thesis will be discussed. At this point, the student may wish to submit a response to the reports. The student can also ask that the matter be postponed to the next Board meeting for this reason.
The LTL Board will evaluate and grade the licentiate thesis based on the examiners' reports. The relevant professor may also give the Board his/her grade recommendation. Any petition for reconsideration of the grade awarded for the licentiate thesis must be submitted to the Board not later than 14 days after the grade was announced.
The grading scale for an accepted licentiate thesis is, from the lowest grade to the highest: approbatur, lubenter approbatur, non sine laude approbatur, cum laude approbatur, magna cum laude approbatur, eximia cum laude approbatur, and laudatur.
The same evaluation criteria apply to a licentiate thesis as to a doctoral dissertation.
Once a postgraduate student has completed all the required studies for a licentiate degree, he/she can apply for a degree certificate using a specific application form. The written application must include a list of all courses, seminars, etc. recorded in the personal study plan, and it must be submitted to the person in charge of postgraduate affairs. The applicant is asked to ensure that all his/her studies have been registered correctly before submitting the application. The application form is available online on the LTL website. The licentiate degree certificate states the title and grade of the thesis and the subject it belongs to.
The public defence of a doctoral dissertation serves three distinct functions:
- It offers an opportunity to publicly and reliably ensure that the postgraduate student has written the dissertation himself/herself and that the dissertation meets the basic criteria for a dissertation.
- It offers the opponent(s), people evaluating the dissertation and other people interested in the subject an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the dissertation by listening to, asking questions of and discussing with the author.
- It offers an opportunity to make research public in a way that deviates from the norm and is more visible to the public.
The public defence of a doctoral dissertation generally follows certain traditional customs and formal requirements. These customs and formal requirements supplement the official regulations concerning the examination of a dissertation. In the course of time, formalities and traditional customs naturally change. For this reason, the main participants in the defence proceedings should always negotiate the arrangements beforehand.
For the proceedings, the doctoral candidate, the custos and the opponents must follow a dress code. Men wear a tailcoat and a black waistcoat or a dark suit, women a black dress or a jacket suit. Alternatively, participants may wear the gown of the University of Tampere. For more information on wearing the University gown, please contact the Secretary to the Rector. The custos and the opponent must follow the doctoral candidate's suit. If the custos or the opponents have received their doctorate abroad, they may wear their academic dress, which may include a robe and a cap. The custos and the opponent(s) must hold their Doctor's caps in their hands when entering and leaving the lecture hall.
Entrance and Opening the Defence Proceedings
The participants enter the lecture hall in the following order: first the doctoral candidate, second the custos and, last, the opponent(s). In the lecture hall, the custos will sit in the middle, with the doctoral candidate on his/her left and opponent(s) on his/her right. When everyone is in place, the custos will open the public defence by saying, "As the custos appointed by the School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies, I declare these defence proceedings to be open." The doctoral candidate will remain standing and deliver his/her lectio praecursoria, which may last no longer than 20 minutes. This introductory lecture will be given on a topic related to the dissertation, but not on the actual research itself. Any non-Finnish opponents will be provided with a translation of the introductory lecture if it is given in a language other than the language of the proceedings. The doctoral candidate will begin by saying "Honorable Custos, Honorable Opponent(s), ladies and gentlemen."
The former custom of announcing typographical errors is no longer used. Instead, the doctoral candidate may give the opponent a list of typographical errors. The candidate may also provide copies of the typographical errors list, the introductory lecture or other relevant materials to be handed out to the audience.
After finishing his/her lectio praecursoria, the doctoral candidate will say: "I ask you, honoured professor(s) (doctor[s], etc.), as the opponent(s) appointed by the School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies, to present the observations you consider appropriate for this dissertation."
The opponent will stand up and give a short response in which he/she deals with the dissertation's position and significance in science and other questions of a general nature. Even if there are several opponents, only one will give a response. After this, the opponent and the candidate sit down.
At the beginning of the examination proper, the opponent generally focuses on the methodology and general questions, followed by a detailed examination. If there are several opponents, they may agree to take turns and decide on a "division of labour" beforehand. They may also discuss a topic one of them brings up during the proceedings.
Opponents may take no more than four hours to examine a dissertation; the proceedings as a whole may not exceed six hours. The custos may suspend the defence proceedings for breaks. At the end of the examination, the opponent (or one of them, if there are several) presents a closing statement. The candidate and the opponent stand up for this statement. If there are several opponents, only one will make a closing statement. After that, the doctoral candidate will thank the opponent(s).
When the examination is over, topics not touched on previously may be discussed. To initiate the discussion, the doctoral candidate will address the audience and say: "Ladies and gentlemen, I ask those of you who have observations to make on the dissertation presented here to please request the floor from the custos." After this opening, the custos will lead the discussion for as long as necessary, but not in excess of the maximum total duration of six hours. The custos will preside over the discussion by giving the floor to speakers and ensuring that the candidate has the opportunity to answer each point and that the discussion remains relevant.
The custos closes the defence proceedings by standing up and saying, "I declare these defence proceedings to be closed." The participants leave the lecture hall in reverse order, i.e. the opponent(s) leave first, the custos second and the candidate last.
The coffee and post-doctoral party (karonkka) are unofficial private events. The doctoral candidate may invite people to the coffee before leaving the lecture hall.
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