Program Overview

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering

The Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering is a multidisciplinary research program that consists of seven research fields, including spatial planning and transportation engineering, real estate economics, geoinformatics, civil engineering, water and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, and energy technology. Doctoral studies are available at all the departments of the School of Engineering.

Degree

• The degree awarded is a Doctor of Science (Technology).

Application Period

• The application period for the program is four times a year.
• The spring 2026 application periods are:
  • 3 December 2025 until 27 January 2026 (decisions are made in February)
  • 28 January 2026 until 5 May 2026 (decisions are made in May)
• The autumn 2026 application periods are:
  • 4 June 2026 until 8 September 2026 (decisions are made in September)
  • 9 September 2026 until 3 November 2026 (decisions are made in November)

Language of Instruction

• The language of instruction is, in principle, English, but the doctoral thesis can also be completed in Finnish or Swedish.

Duration

• The duration of the program is 4 years, full-time.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for doctoral studies at the School of Engineering, students must hold a master's degree granted by a Finnish university or a Finnish university of applied sciences, or a degree granted by a university or university of applied sciences abroad corresponding to the Finnish master's degree.
• The degree must provide the student with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for.

Evaluation Criteria

• The evaluation criteria include:
  • Adequate knowledge in the research field applied for
  • Sufficient basic knowledge that supports the thesis work and the writing of the thesis
  • An excellent command of Finnish, Swedish, or English
  • Prior academic success
  • Content of prior university studies
  • Potential for a researcher career
  • Suitability of the research topic
  • Research proposal
  • Time management and resources
  • The university's resources for thesis supervision in the applicant's field of research

Required Appendices

• The required appendices for all applicants include:
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Credit plan (preliminary study plan for the theoretical studies of the degree)
  • Research plan
  • Funding plan
  • Supervision plan
  • Motivation letter
  • Identification document
  • Copy of the degree certificate and the transcript of study records
  • Proof of proficiency in Finnish, Swedish, or English

Additional Appendices

• Additional appendices required for those with a master's degree elsewhere than at Aalto University include:
  • An abstract of the master's thesis in English
  • Documents confirming eligibility or degree language
  • Certified hard copies or verified degree documents if the degree is awarded by a higher education institution outside Finland

Departments

• The School of Engineering consists of several departments, including:
  • Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering
  • Department of Civil Engineering
  • Department of Built Environment

Research Areas

• The research areas of the School of Engineering include:
  • Spatial planning and transportation engineering
  • Real estate economics
  • Geoinformatics
  • Civil engineering
  • Water and environmental engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Energy technology

Funding

• The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are:
  • Working in a salaried doctoral researcher position
  • Personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies

Tuition Fees

• Aalto University doctoral studies are free of tuition fees.
• Aalto University does not charge fees for enrollment to the University.
• Doctoral students are welcome to join the Aalto University Student Union, which has an annual fee.