English Philology at University of Helsinki

Postgraduate Studies

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
- King Henry in William Shakespeare’s play
King Henry V
Postgraduate studies in English lead to Licentiate in Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Before applying, you should first discuss the topic of your research with a professor of English Philology.
The applications are processed by the Faculty of Arts.

For more information on the details of the application procedures, see the Faculty of Arts website → http://www.helsinki.fi/hum/english/research/

General enquiries about postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Arts can be addressed either to the postgraduate study coordinator Merja Polvinen or by e-mail to hum-postgrad[at]helsinki.fi.

All enrolled postgraduate students of English Philology are added to our mailing list (eng-postgrad[at]helsinki.fi) and to the Faculty’s postgraduate mailing list (hum-jatko[at]helsinki.fi).

Enrolment

You must enrol at the University General Information Office (Neuvontatoimisto, Ground floor, Main Building, Fabianinkatu 33) within a month of being accepted as a postgraduate student. You must renew your registration each year by September 1st or you will lose your place at the University.

Study Requirements

On 1 August 2008, all students with a right to pursue a degree at the University of Helsinki were transferred to a new degree system. Students should draw up a degree plan in accordance with the new degree requirements and review it together with their supervisor during their next meeting.

The new requirements include:

Research Skills (50 study points)

• Training and courses that enhance the student’s research competencies
• Must be completed before submitting the dissertation for preliminary examination
• Can be completed flexibly in a variety of ways which can be agreed upon with the dissertation supervisor
• Recommended methods of completion: examination, essay, meetings and events arranged by the doctoral programme in the field, seminar and conference presentations, postgraduate studies relevant to the research topic in a university abroad, etc.

 At English Philology theses must include:

• One conference presentation (graduate school seminar or national/international conference, i.e. outside English Philology at the University of Helsinki) (min. 3-5 study points)
• Publication of a scholarly article (min. 3 study points)
• Research seminar (at least two years’ attendance in a departmental seminar, graduate school or other research group)
• Academic writing (e.g. course organised by the Faculty of Arts or by a graduate school)

Professional Skills (10 study points)

• Training providing competencies for an academic career and the labour market
• Must be completed before being granted permission to defend the dissertation in a public examination, i.e. can be completed while the dissertation is in preliminary examination
• Can be completed flexibly in a variety of ways which can be agreed upon with the dissertation supervisor

Recommended methods of completion: editing of scholarly publications, reviews of publications in the research field, critical reviews, teaching at university level, activities in scholarly societies in one’s field, or courses selected from the following fields: science communication, higher education development, languages, management, project management, science administration, the societal connections and significance of research, entrepreneurship, practical training.

Graduate school studies are counted towards the degree (most GS’s have published guidelines as to how many credits their programme is worth).

The Faculty of Arts organises courses on research ethics, academic writing and conference presentation. See → http://www.helsinki.fi/hum/ > Research and Postgraduate Studies > Postgraduate Studies > Courses.
Completed courses are registered by filling in the registration form, and handing it in to the postgraduate study coordinator Merja Polvinen.

Supervision

Students with an MA or equivalent are accepted to the graduate programme on the basis of their research plan, and a commitment from one of the professors to guide the prospective scholar through the programme. The student and their supervisor(s) sign an agreement which outlines the ground rules of postgraduate study and supervision.
PhD supervision takes place:

• Individually, so the postgraduate student and the supervisor together take on responsibility for getting the thesis done.
• In postgraduate seminars.
• In projects and research units at the subject of English Philology.
• Through cooperation in seminars and projects at other departments and within the new department of Modern Languages at the University of Helsinki.
• By encouraging postgraduate students to present papers at national and international conferences.
• Through longer or shorter research periods at universities abroad.
• Through participation in one of the national graduate schools.
• Ideally, a PhD should take four years of full-time work.



Funding

General information on research funding for postgraduate students can be found at
http://www.helsinki.fi/hum/ > Research and Postgraduate Studies > Postgraduate Studies > Financing
However, the best source of information on funding in your particular research area is your (prospective) supervisor.

Forms for postgraduate students

→ Registration form for Postgraduate Studies

→ Supervision agreement

→ Study plan