- Regulations for Doctoral Studies
- I. General provisions
- II. Doctoral Studies
- II.1. Learners in doctoral studies
- II.2. Supervision
- II.3. Filling a vacant student place
- II.4. Organisation of study
- II.4.1. General principles
- II.4.2. Period of study, suspension of doctoral studies and changes to the period of study of doctoral students matriculated to doctoral programmes opened from the 2022/2023 academic year
- II.4.3. Workload, academic leave and extending the period of study of doctoral students matriculated to doctoral curricula opened before the 2022/2023 academic year
- II.4.4. Individual plan
- II.5. Progress review
- II.5.1. Progress review schedule
- II.5.2. Progress review committee
- II.5.3. Documents required for progress review
- II.5.4. Progress review meeting
- II.5.5. Decisions of the progress review committee
- II.5.5.1. Decisions of the progress review committee regarding learners in doctoral studies in doctoral programmes opened from the 2022/2023 academic year
- II.5.5.2. Decisions of the progress review committee regarding learners in doctoral studies in doctoral curricula opened before the 2022/2023 academic year
- II.5.6. Repeat progress review and appealing a progress review decision
- II.6. Exmatriculation
- III. Applying for Doctoral Degree
- III.1. Completion of the doctoral programme
- III.2. Council awarding doctoral degrees
- III.3. Requirements for doctoral candidate
- III.4. Requirements for doctoral thesis
- III.4.1. General requirements for doctoral thesis
- III.4.2. Doctoral thesis as an integrated collection of research publications
- III.4.3. Doctoral thesis as a monograph
- III.4.4. Requirement for research publications and the introductory chapter
- III.4.5. Requirements for patents, patent applications and applied solutions
- III.4.6. Structure of the doctoral thesis
- III.5. Allowing a doctoral thesis to be defended
- III.6. Publication of the doctoral thesis
- III.7. Defence of the doctoral thesis
- III.8. Applying for doctoral degree and defence of the doctoral thesis under a joint supervision agreement
- III.9. Contesting and overruling the decisions of the council awarding doctoral degrees
- III.10. Preservation of the doctoral thesis
- IV. Implementing provisions
- Study Regulations
- I. General provisions
- II. Courses and modules
- III. Following the curriculum
- IV. Assessment
- V. Completion of studies
- VI. Filling vacant student places and rematriculation
- VII. Additional rights and obligations of students
- VII.1. Notification
- VII.2. Counselling
- VII.3. Making adaptations in studies
- VII.4. Giving feedback
- VII.5. Studying at other higher education institutions in Estonia
- VII.6. Studying at higher education institutions abroad
- VII.7. Academic leave
- VII.8. Extension of studies
- VII.9. Good academic practice
- VII.10. Contesting decisions concerning the organisation of studies
- Annex 1. Studying as a visiting student or external student
- Annex 2. Intensive study of Estonian
- Annex 3. Recognition of prior learning and professional experience
Regulations for Doctoral Studies and Study Regulations
III.7.1. Defence meeting
145. The doctoral thesis is defended at a meeting of the council as a public academic discussion. If the doctoral thesis contains a state secret, trade secret, information not subject to publication due to personal data protection requirements or other classified information, the vice rector for research may, on the proposal of the council, declare the meeting closed.
146. The defence takes place only if the doctoral candidate, at least one opponent and, along with additional members, at least six members of the council with decision-making powers are present. It is also possible to participate in the defence using real-time two-way audio-video communication, with the exception of the doctoral candidate, who can do it only for a good reason and by the decision of the vice dean for research.
147. The defence (except the closed discussion specified in clause 149) is recorded as an audio or video file preserved in accordance with the procedure established at the university. In the case of a closed defence, access restrictions to the file are established.
148. The defence consists of the following parts:
148.1. introduction by the chair of the meeting and introduction of the doctoral candidate;
148.2. presentation by the doctoral candidate (lectio praecursoria);
148.3. remarks by the opponent(s);
148.4. academic discussion between the doctoral candidate and the opponent(s);
148.5. academic discussion with the members of the council and the audience;
148.6. adoption of the council’s decision at a closed discussion;
148.7. announcement of the council’s decision;
148.8. final remarks of the doctoral candidate.
Doctoral conferment at the University of Tartu takes place on 1 December every year with a ceremony at the university’s assembly hall.
In order to receive the diploma on 1 December, the doctoral defence must take place no later than 23 November of the same year. If the doctoral thesis is defended after 23 November, the diploma is awarded on 1 December of the following year.
The university sends invitations to all doctoral graduates who have defended their theses during the year. Invitations to university staff members are sent to their respective university email address, and invitations to doctoral candidates working elsewhere are sent to the email address specified in their CV (please check if the email address given in the CV is valid).
Receipt of the diploma must be signed. This can be done on weekdays at the Office of Academic Affairs at Jakobi 1 (entrance from the courtyard) or in the lobby of the main building immediately before the ceremony.
If you are unable to attend the ceremony on 1 December, you can pick up your diploma at a later date at the Office of Academic Affairs from Academic Affairs Specialist Helen Asveit (737 5628; helen.asveit@ut.ee). If you need to prove that you have defended your doctoral thesis before receiving your diploma, you can obtain a certificate from the same office.
Conferment procedure
Seats in the assembly hall are reserved for doctoral graduates.
The procedure of the doctoral conferment is as follows:
– the academic secretary announces the name of the doctoral graduate and reads out the text on the diploma;
– the doctoral graduate comes forth and stands by the academic secretary and the rector;
– the rector presents the diploma and shakes hands with the doctoral graduate;
– flowers are given to the doctoral graduate.
Dresscode
Men: tailcoat, black tie or folk costume
Women: black tie, suit or folk costume
Honorary decorations
A low-cut neckline, bare shoulders and casual attire are not appropriate.
