For a Doctor's degree, the candidate must also create new scientific knowledge. According to the regulations, the scope of a Licentiate's degree is 80 credits whereas that of a Doctor's degree is 160 credits. The thesis makes up 35 credits of the Licentiate's degree and the dissertation 115 credits of the Doctor's degree. The main criterion in determining the scope of these postgraduate degrees has been that the extent of the Doctor's degree should be similar to that of a Master's degree and a Licentiate's degree approximately half that of a Doctor's degree. The numbers of credits used to describe these degrees are indicative only, since the quality of work and the amount of time involved are decisive, especially in the case of the Licentiate's degree and the thesis.
Postgraduate education takes the form of research programmes.
Helsinki University of Technology has thirteen graduate schools, which are financed by the Ministry of Education. The filled application is returned to the planning officer of the department. For more information on postgraduate studies, contact Study secretaries and planning officers of the department or study counselling office. International students should submit their applications for postgraduate studies at the office for International Affairs. The office will then request a statement from the department with the chair of the applicant's main subject.