Organisation of doctoral studies

10.12.2021
#studies #research

The University of Tartu's doctoral studies are organised by the Regulations for Doctoral Studies (RDS; see web version). The RDS includes the general rules of supervision, the individual plan, progress reviews and the degree application procedure. 

The University's good practices are recommended reading for all doctoral students, especially Good Practice of Doctoral Studies. 

For general study-related issues such as registration to courses, recognition of prior learning, etc., see Study Regulations. General study instructions and guidelines are also available here.

Faculty-specific requirements, such as faculty progress review procedures, are available on faculty doctoral studies pages.

Regulations

Document forms

 

Planning and completing doctoral studies

The individual plan is the doctoral student's research and study plan for the entire period of study. A period plan is a part of the individual plan, in which the specified plan of studies and research is agreed upon for the following progress review period. The individual plan is compiled in cooperation with the supervisor(s). 

The individual plan for the whole period of doctoral studies is submitted together with the first progress review report of the first year. 

The period plan of the first semester must be entered to the Study Information System within 30 days after matriculation. The doctoral student submits the following period plans together with each progress review report. 

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At the progress review the review committee assesses the doctoral student's progress in research and studies based on their programme and fulfilment of the individual plan.

First year doctoral students are reviewed twice: one semester after matriculation and two semesters after matriculation. From the second year onward, the progress of the doctoral student is reviewed once per academic year, two semesters after the last progress review.

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Detailed rules and guidelines for applying for a doctoral degree are available in the web version of the Regulations for Doctoral Studies. 

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Tuition fees and stipends (matriculated in 2021/22 and earlier)

There are no tuition fees for doctoral students studying full time, including international doctoral students.
Doctoral students studying part time have to pay a tuition fee of 100 euros per semester.

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Doctoral students studying full time have the right to receive a monthly stipend of 660 euros. An additional performance stipend of 400 euros per month is granted to doctoral students who have performed 100% of the curriculum. There are additional scholarship opportunities for students in some fields. More information on scholarships for doctoral students can be found on this page.

All full time doctoral students are entitled to receive doctoral allowance during the four years of the standard study period. This does not apply to the students of DoRa programme, as they have separate funding measures.           

The doctoral allowance can be sought by doctoral students who are citizens of the Republic of Estonia or who reside in Estonia on the basis of a residence right or a permanent or temporary residence permit and are full-time students.

The amount of the doctoral allowance is 660 EUR per month (as of 2018).

There is no separate application for the allowance, it is taken care of automatically; the allowance is granted for the whole academic year (from August to September). Doctoral students who are on academic leave at the time doctoral allowance are granted shall be given the allowance from the study month following the finishing date of academic leave until the beginning of the next academic year. For more information, please see here

All doctoral students who have valid temporary residence permit (TRP) and their residence registered in Estonia, or who have the right of residence (depending on their country of origin: non-EU students have TRP and EU students right of residence) and for whom the university has assigned doctoral study allowance in the Study Information System, receive health insurance (haigekassa) from the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF). The national health insurance is valid during the nominal period of studies (four years). It is interrupted during academic leave including when academic leave is taken for medical reasons.

Generally, if the doctoral study allowance is assigned (formal documentation process completed) in September, national health insurance is active as of October 10. If the allowance is assigned in any other month, the national health insurance is active on the 10th date of the month following the first payment of the doctoral study allowance. To check whether national health insurance (haigekassa) has been activated, please visit the Eesti.eestate portal.

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