This page provides you with information about admission to the doctoral programme in the Humanities. Admission requirements may differ depending on the speciality in question. In addition to admission requirements and conditions, this page also provides information regarding currently active open calls in doctoral studies.
The Doctoral programme in Humanities combines 22 specialities coordinated by the Institute of History and Archaeology, the Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics, the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics, the Institute of Cultural Research, the School of Theology and Religious Studies, and the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures.
Learn more about the necessary documents and different stages of applying for doctoral studies
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At the Faculty of Arts and Humanities the main intake is in May 2023.
Starting from the 2022/2023 academic year in most cases the admitted doctoral student will work as a junior research fellow at the university. In some cases, admission may be for a study place without a work contract. Details are specified under speciality admission information. Read more about status and funding of doctoral students.
Finding a prospective supervisor before applying for the programme is essential for a successful application. To find a supervisor, visit the institute´s website or contact the speciality representative.
History, Archaeology, Art History Janet Laidla (janet.laidla@ut.ee)
Linguistics, Finno-Ugric Studies Ann Veismann (ann.veismann@ut.ee)
Philosophy https://filsem.ut.ee/en/sisu/list-department-philosophy-faculty
Semiotics and Culture Theory https://filsem.ut.ee/en/node/116576
Estonian Literature, Comparative Literature Studies, Theatre Research, Folkloristics, Ethnology Kristin Kuutma (kristin.kuutma@ut.ee)
English Language and Literature, French Language and Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, Russian Language and Literature, Scandinavian Studies, Classical Philology, Translation Studies Raili Marling (raili.marling@ut.ee)
Religious Studies and Theology https://ut.ee/en/school-theology-and-religious-studies
In the first stage of assessment, the doctoral thesis project will be assessed. In the second stage of assessment, there is an interview.
The requirements for the doctoral thesis project and the evaluation criteria can differ depending on the speciality. Below you will find specific conditions and requirements for every speciality, as well as contact information in case you have further questions.
Doctoral thesis project (3–5 pages) should contain the following:
Doctoral thesis project assessment criteria:
The curriculum vitae of the applicant is used to consider the following:
Interview is used to assess the following:
Speciality representative: Janet Laidla, janet.laidla@ut.ee
The doctoral thesis project (length up to 3 pages) must include the following:
The project is assessed from the perspective of its research quality, including the following:
Interview
Doctoral thesis projects are defended during an interview. Applicants present their projects and answer questions from admissions committee members.
The assessment of the project defence covers the following:
The assessment of the feasibility of a doctoral thesis project covers the following
Speciality representative: Ann Veismann, ann.veismann@ut.ee
Doctoral thesis project (3–5 pages + references)
The doctoral thesis project will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
Writing sample
The candidate’s CV must include a list of research work already completed by the candidate. When applying for a PhD position in Philosophy it is strongly recommended that the candidate adds to her CV a writing sample, which will be taken into account when assessing the candidate’s proposed research project. The writing sample’s length should correspond to the length of a typical philosophy paper in the field of Philosophy on which the candidate wishes to write their doctoral thesis (but certainly no longer than 50 pages).
The writing sample will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria:
Interview will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Speciality representative: Alexander Stewart Davies, alexander.stewart.davies@ut.ee
Doctoral thesis project must specify the following:
During the interview the following is assessed:
Speciality representative: Alexander Stewart Davies, alexander.stewart.davies@ut.ee
The structural elements of a doctoral thesis project (5000–9000 characters) are:
The assessment of the feasibility of a doctoral thesis project covers the following:
Interview
The defence of the thesis project takes is conducted as an oral interview, based on the doctoral thesis project and relevant issues of the speciality. Applicants are assessed on the basis of their knowledge of the field, the clarity, depth and scope of the problem, the clarity of the working hypotheses, the applicant’s preparedness for research in the field, their oral and written presentation skills, and their motivation and preparedness to complete doctoral studies successfully on time.
Speciality representative: Kristin Kuutma, kristin.kuutma@ut.ee
Doctoral thesis project (3–5 pages):
The project must clearly define the research question, justify its relevance and relevance in the field, describe the proposed data inventory (incl. the principles of data collection), main secondary sources and methodology for solving the research problem. Requirements for doctoral thesis projects:
The project should include information on the earlier research experience (master’s thesis, research presentations, publications) and possible preliminary agreements with supervisors.
Interview
The oral interview consists of the applicant´s 10-minute presentation for the admissions committee and a discussion on relevant issues of the speciality related to the doctoral thesis project.
Interview is based on a CV, that is submitted together with the online application. The CV provides an overview of the applicant’s earlier studies and research, thus also showing the applicant’s preparedness and research maturity. Interview is also used to assess the applicant´s motivation and expectations for doctoral studies.
Assessment of the thesis project (maximum score is 50 points):
During the interview, the following is assessed (maximum score is 50 points):
Speciality representative: Raili Marling, raili.marling@ut.ee
Doctoral thesis project must specify the topic of the doctoral thesis in Estonian or in English and in the original language if it is not Estonian or English, accompanied by the field(s) of study (up to three) associated with the topic, based on the CERCS (Common European Research Classification Scheme) classification.
A doctoral thesis project must include the following:
The recommended length of the project is up to 5 pages (12 500 characters with spaces), and it must include the name and the signature of the applicant and the date.
Doctoral thesis project and its feasibility is assessed based on the following:
Applicant´s CV is used to consider:
Interview takes 15 minutes. The applicant has 5 minutes for presenting their motives and the project they have submitted with their application. The remaining 10 minutes are used for asking the applicant questions about their motivation and thesis project. The exam may take place, at the applicant’s choosing, either in Estonian or in English.
The interview will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Speciality representative: Urmas Nõmmik, urmas.nommik@ut.ee