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Key Information
- Duration: Full-time, 48 months
- Start dates & application deadlines: Starting January 2027 - Apply before Sep 2026; Starting August 2027 - Apply before Feb 2027
Overview
In The University of Vaasa Doctoral Programme from The Graduate School of the University of Vaasa the profound understanding of social phenomena, critical thinking and ethically lasting research frames and socially affecting study are emphasized.
Students in social sciences complete a Doctor of Administrative Sciences, D.Sc. (Admin.) or a degree or a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, in communication studies. Visit the programme website for more information
Education
The main subjects are: regional studies, public management, public law, social and health management, and communication studies.
The focus areas of the subjects are
- Regional development and economy
- Study of public management and ethics: ethical management and identification of problems, good management and leadership
- Changing governance and basic rights
- Study of social and health services and systems: citizen participation, governance and management of complex problems
- Sociocultural phenomena of media and communication
The doctoral studies consist of the following sections: general scientific studies (philosophy of science, research ethics, etc.), method studies, studies related to the field of study and, academic and other working life skills. The doctoral programme is nationally and internationally networked. The researchers organize seminars and actively participate in international seminars and contemporary public discussion.
Programme Structure
Structure of studies:
- General Scientific Studies
- Method Studies
- Studies in the Research Field
- Studies supporting research work and researcher´s career
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Public Law
- Social and Health Management
- Communication Studies
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English Requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 92
- PTE Academic: 62
- IELTS: 6.5
Other Requirements
General requirements
Those who are eligible for studies leading to an academic doctorate degree shall have completed
- an applicable higher university degree;
- an applicable higher polytechnic degree; or
- an applicable education completed abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding higher education.
The applicants should have completed their previous degree with at least the grade ’Good’ and have been awarded the grade ’Good’ or higher for their Master’s thesis (grade ‘Good’, 3/5 or other equivalent grade).
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: Free
Domestic: Free
There are no tuition fees or other mandatory fees for doctoral students.
Living Costs
Vaasa, Finland: 1,108-1,613 AUD / month
Funding
- Doctoral students are encouraged to apply for external funding from foundations.
- The University of Vaasa Graduate School also distributes one-year dissertation grants in the spring, which are funded by the Nissi Foundation and the Vaasa University Foundation.
- Academic units have doctoral student employee positions, which are fixed term of 2-4 years. These positions are applied at the same time the study right is applied.