Doctoral studies

Doctoral student is both a student and a junior research fellow, with whom an employment contract is concluded after the admission decision. The specific terms and conditions of the employment contract are agreed individually with each doctoral student.

During the first month, the doctoral student must submit the following documents in the Study Information System, in TEEK, in cooperation with their supervisor:

• the period plan for the first semester;

• the supervision agreement;

• it is also recommended that the doctoral student hold a meeting with the supervisor(s), during which the Doctoral studies expectations worksheet is discussed.

• the four-year individual plan covering the activities of the entire doctoral study period;

• the progress review report for the first semester;

• the period plan for the second semester.

Second-semester progress review

For the second-semester progress review, at the end of the first academic year, the following documents must be submitted:

• the report for the first semester;

• the period plan for the second academic year.

At the end of the second and third academic year, the following documents must be submitted:

• the report for the relevant period;

• the plan for the next period.

At the end of the fourth year, no progress review is held. Instead, a final analysis of the entire study period is completed in TEEK in the context of the fulfilment of the learning outcomes of the doctoral programme.

To apply for a doctoral degree, the following conditions must be met:

the doctoral programme must be completed;

three research articles must have been published. For specific requirements and possible exceptions, please consult the procedure for applying for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Documents for applying for the doctoral degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) must be submitted to the academic affairs specialist ([email protected]) approximately two months before the defence:

• the print-ready manuscript of the doctoral thesis, including an academic biography (curriculum vitae in the University of Tartu format) and articles related to the thesis;

• an application, signed by the applicant, indicating the title of the thesis in Estonian and English and the degree being applied for;

• the supervisor’s signed assessment, including a proposal for the opponent;

• a short summary of the doctoral thesis in Estonian and English;

• an overview of the fulfilment of the learning outcomes in TEEK.

More detailed information about the required documents is provided in the doctoral studies regulations.

The thesis must be available at the University of Tartu Library, both in print and as a PDF, two weeks before the defence.

The submitted documents are reviewed as follows:

• Initial document check by the academic affairs specialist within 3 days.

• The chair of the progress review committee checks the completion of the curriculum.

• The academic secretary provides a general assessment of the completion of the curriculum and publication requirements within 8 working days.

• The Council of the Institute of Chemistry reviews the documents substantively and grants permission for the defence of the doctoral thesis. The Council also appoints the opponent(s), sets the time and place of the defence, and, where necessary, appoints additional members.

• The institute issues a letter of guarantee for printing the doctoral thesis.

• The doctoral candidate submits the thesis to the University of Tartu Press for publication. Printing takes 2–3 weeks.

• Two weeks before the defence, the author submits 19 copies of the thesis to the secretary of the Council of the Institute of Chemistry for distribution to the Council members.

• The thesis must be available at the University of Tartu Library, both in print and as a PDF, two weeks before the defence.

The defence of the doctoral thesis takes place at a meeting of the defence committee in the form of a public academic discussion. The doctoral candidate, at least one of the opponents, and six members of the defence committee must be present at the defence. The defence committee of the Institute of Chemistry consists of members of the Council of the Institute of Chemistry, selected additional members, and the opponent.

The main stages of the defence procedure are as follows:

• Opening remarks by the chair of the defence council.

• A presentation by the doctoral candidate (lectio praecursoria) introducing the main results of the doctoral thesis, lasting approximately 25 minutes.

• An academic discussion between the opponent and the doctoral candidate. There is no strict time limit; the discussion usually lasts up to 60–90 minutes, but the opponent may discuss any topic in as much depth as they consider necessary.

• An academic discussion with the members of the defence council, followed by a general discussion with the audience.

• A closed discussion between the members of the defence council, the opponents, and the supervisors.

• Announcement of the decision.

• Final remarks by the doctoral candidate.

Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu

A doctoral thesis is an overview of independent research, conducted by a doctoral candidate who has applied for a doctoral degree at the University of Tartu. The thesis presents a well-argued original solution to a specific scientific problem. A doctoral thesis may be written in two forms:

• as an integrated collection of research publications, or

• as a monograph.

An integrated collection of research publications generally includes three research publications and an introductory chapter. The introductory chapter is a framing text that binds the parts of the doctoral thesis into a whole. It provides an overview of the current situation of the field of research and the position of the research problem in it, formulates the research task and the statements presented for defence, and describes the methodology, the course or proof of the resolution of the research task, discussion, conclusions, and summary (Regulations for Doctoral Studies and Study Regulations 6).file:///C:\Users\Heili\Downloads\Effective_as_of_1_May_2025_Regulations_for_Doctoral_Studies_partially_effective_as_of_1_January_2026%20(3).pdf6).

If a publication, invention or applied solution has several authors, or if the doctoral thesis forms a part of a joint research, the contribution of the doctoral candidate must be significant and thoroughly described in the doctoral thesis.

The defence procedure

Doctoral theses are defended at a meeting of the council in the form of a public academic discussion. The audience usually includes members of Defence Council, researchers from home department, PhD students from other departments, as well as the doctoral candidate's friends and family members. Generally, a doctoral defence lasts for about 2-2.5h. This includes - the candidate's presentation, a discussion with opponent, a question answer session, a closed session by the Defence Council, and disseminating the decision by the Defence Council.

A central part of the PhD defence is a scholarly discussion of the thesis. This is generally followed by a presentation by the doctoral candidate, in which the candidate outlines the key research questions, methods, results, implications, along with other important aspects of the doctoral research.

After the presentation, a one-on-one discussion is held by the doctoral candidate and an opponent. The opponent is not affiliated with the University of Tartu, and the main role of the opponent is to formulate a platform for discussing the key aspects of the thesis. As a general practice, the opponent already sends her/his written opinion 5 days prior to the defence. Thereby, on the day of defence, the role of the opponent is to allow the applicant to publicly demonstrate their competence and understanding of the topic. The opponent’s questions may range from most general ones to very specific aspects of the research. It is always useful to touch broad conceptual issues. The previous reviewers, academic staff members and general audience are also provided with opportunities to ask questions, given that the questions are particularly relevant to the discussion and asked in a scholarly manner.

The doctoral defence is evaluated by the Defence Council, of which the opponent is also a member. Based on the evaluation, members decide whether to award the doctoral degree.