Doctoral studies (PhD)

1. General Module (12 ECTS)

1.1. Science (7 ECTS) – Mandatory

• DK.0004 Copyright and legal protection of intellectual property (1 ECTS)
• DK.0020 Research Ethics (2 ECTS)
• DK.0012 Research Methodology (4 ECTS)

The PhD student chooses one of the modules - Teaching or Entrepreneurship

 1.2. University teaching (5 ECTS)

• DK.0006 Practice in higher education teaching (2 ECTS)

• DK.0005 Higher Education Didactics (3 ECTS)

  or

1.3. Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)

• DK.0022 Practice in entrepreneurship or management (2 ECTS)
• DK.0021 Management and Entrepreneurship (3 ECTS)

2. Speciality module (23–28 ECTS)

2.1. Speciality subjects
The PhD student selects subjects in collaboration with their supervisor, based on their individual doctoral research.

Speciality subjects may include subjects from both Master’s and Doctoral studies, offered by our university or other higher education institutions.

2.2. Mathematical Statistics and Modelling (3 ECTS)
At least one statistics course is mandatory:

• DK.0016 Mathematical Statistics 1: Classical Methods (3 ECTS)
• DK.0017 Mathematical Statistics 2: Models and Patterns (3 ECTS)

3. Research communication (4 ECTS)

• DK.0023 Presentation of research at an international science conference (2 ECTS)
• DK.0024 Presentation of research at a scientific-practical conference or doctoral seminars (2 ECTS)

NB! Additional presentations can be counted under specialized courses.

4. Optional subjects (0–5 ECTS)

Optional subjects are not mandatory!

NB! The total volume of the Speciality Module and Optional subjects must be at least 28 ECTS!

Administration
The general studies are coordinated by the Senior Specialist of Doctoral Studies, department of Academic Affairs.

Doctoral candidates who hold the junior researcher position have a dual status as both students and employees. They sign a fixed-term employment contract with a 1.0 workload for the nominal study period of four years.

The job responsibilities are based on an individual study plan and consist of at least 85% research, development, and creative activities. The salary is based on the Estonian national average wage, which for the 2025/2026 academic year is €1,951.

Doctoral progress is assessed annually through PhD studies evaluation. Employment continues only if the candidate receives a positive evaluation. If the candidate fails the evaluation, they will be exmatriculated, and the employment contract will be terminated.

The study place is created as an additional position, which is funded by the supervisor. Generally, the content and income of the doctoral candidate's research work are linked to the supervisor’s research project.

Doctoral candidates are entitled to all rights and requirements applicable to PhD students, as well as employment rights applicable to employees under a work contract.

Admission is open year-round, depending on the availability of suitable positions.

The PhD studies are carried out alongside their primary employment. They retain all PhD student rights.  However, they do not have an employment contract with the university and therefore do not receive a salary from the university.

Industrial doctorate position is established based on the interests and needs of a private, public or third-sector organization/company. It is based on collaboration agreement between the partner organization, the university, and the doctoral candidate. These positions can be created and filled throughout the year.
 

The initiative to establish an industrial doctoral position comes from the partner organization, whose interests define the focus of the doctoral candidate’s research. The doctoral candidate must find supervisors from both the partner organization and the university.

The industrial doctorate candidate must meet all admission requirements for doctoral studies at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and their academic progress is evaluated on the same basis as other doctoral students.
 

Companies can apply for Cross-Sectoral Mobility Measure (SekMo)link opens in new page to fund the doctoral position.

For the company

When establishing the position, the following aspects should be considered:

• Doctoral candidate’s work organization;
• Potential supervisors, company’s contribution in research and responsibilities;
• Required resources (e.g., laboratory equipment, research facilities, costs for attending conferences, and dissertation defense expenses);

• Confidentiality and intellectual property rights.

   

NB! This program ensures strong collaboration between academia and industry, enhancing innovation and knowledge transfer, while providing the doctoral candidate with valuable research experience in a real-world context!