Organization of the PhD studies

A doctoral candidate may have up to three supervisors, but the primary supervisor must be an employee of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The doctoral supervisor(s) and co-supervisor(s) are officially approved by the Vice-Rector of Studies upon the candidate’s matriculation.

Replacing or adding supervisors during the doctoral studies requires a signed request of all involved parties (supervisor(s) and the doctoral candidate. This request is submitted to the Council of the Institute. The changes are are made based on the decision of the Council and approved by the Vice-Rector of Studies.

Individual Study Plan

The individual study plan is developed in collaboration with the supervisor(s) and must be submitted for approval to the Council of the Institute within two months of matriculation.

The individual study plan is the fundamental document for the doctoral candidate’s studies and research, outlining the structure of coursework and research activities throughout the PhD program.

The doctoral candidate and at least the primary supervisor must sign the individual study plan.

After approval by the Council of the Institute the doctoral candidate must upload the finalized study plan to ÕIS within one week.

The implementation of the individual study plan is assessed annually during the attestation process.

Key Components of the Individual Study Plan

• Coursework: planned courses, seminars, summer schools and other activities that support the doctoral candidate’s academic and professional development.
• Research: dissertation topic, objectives, timeline, research methods, key stages and expected outcomes.
• Publications: planned scientific articles or other publications with a projected timeline.
• Participation in academic activities: conferences, workshops, teaching responsibilities, research projects etc.

NB! During the annual attestation process a detailed work plan for the next year must be submitted, where adjustments can be made to the original study plan.

1. General Module

✔ Research (7 ECTS):

• DK.0020 Research Ethics (2 ECTS) – spring semester
• DK.0004  Copyright and legal protection of intellectual property (1 ECTS) – spring semester

• DK.0012 Research Methodology (4 ECTS) – autumn semester

   

✔ University teaching (5 ECTS) or Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS) 

The doctoral candidate must choose between:

Teaching in Higher Education

• DK.0005 Higher Education Didactics (3 ECTS) – Offered every two years in the spring semester (next in spring 2026)
• DK.0006 Practice in higher education teaching (2 ECTS) – recorded by the supervisor

and

Entrepreneurship

• DK.0021 Management and Entrepreneurship (3 ECTS) – Spring Semester
• DK.0022 Practice in entrepreneurship or management (2 ECTS) – Recorded by the lecturer of "Management and Entrepreneurship"
   

2. Speciality module (23-28 ECTS) 

Mathematical Statistics (3 ECTS) 

 The candidate must complete one of the following:

• DK.0016 Mathematical Statistics 1: Classical Methods (3 ECTS) – Basic Course, autumn semester

• DK.0017 Mathematical Statistics 2: Models and Patterns (3 ECTS) – advanced course, spring semester

   

Scientific Communication (4 ECTS) 

The doctoral candidate must present research findings twice, at least once at the international level:

• DK.0023 Presentation of Research at an International Scientific Conference (2 ECTS)
• DK.0024 Presentation of Research at a Scientific-Practical Conference or Doctoral Seminars (2 ECTS)

The primary supervisor records DK.0023 and DK.0024 in ÕIS based on a presentation certificate.

✔ Specialized Courses (16–21 ECTS):

• Courses should be selected in consultation with the supervisor, based on the doctoral dissertation topic.
• Courses can be taken at the home university or other universities (including international institutions).
• Only Master’s and Doctoral-level courses could be considered.
• To select courses from the other universities a visiting student application should be filled and submitted to the Senior Specialist of Doctoral Studies  for approval before applying to the host institution.
• Courses completed as a visiting student will be recognized in ÕIS based on an official transcript from the host institution.

• The doctoral curriculum allows recognition of prior studies and professional experience through Recognition of Prior Learninglink opens in new page (RPL).

   

RPL Application Process:

• The supervisor must approve the initial RPL request.
• Please send the digitally signed RPL application via email at [email protected].

• The RPL committee evaluates the application based on learning outcomes and considers relevance to the curricula. The credits are transferred to ÕIS based on the decision of the committee.

   

RPL committee

1. Ina Järve (Head of the Academic Affairs, Chair)
2. Arvo Viltrop (Tenure Professor)
3. Harli Jürgenson (Senior Lecturer)
4. Anne Põder (Researcher)
5. Katrin Jõgar (Director of Studies, Associate Professor)
6. Margus Arak (Director of Studies, Senior Lecturer)
7. Diana Pungar (Senior Specialist of Doctoral Studies)

Recognition Criteria

• Selected courses must align with the doctoral curriculum.
• Obligatory courses from previous higher education levels cannot be transferred.
• All external coursework must be supported by official documentation, such as transcripts or completion certificates. Certificates must include course title, institution, credit hours, and completion date. Hotel bookings, flight tickets, workshop websites, and payment confirmations do not qualify as supporting documents.
• Course credit is calculated as 1 ECTS = 26 hours of work, and credits below 1 ECTS cannot be recognized.
• If the courses are taken as a visiting student (official status) or via an exchange program (e.g., Erasmus), it is enough to submit only the transcript of records without RPL application.
• It is not possible to transfer credits for research communication.

Additional Information

Application forms  of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) guidelines can be found HERElink opens in new page.

The goal of attestation is to support and guide the doctoral student in their studies, ensuring they stay on the right track.

During the attestation process, the attestation committees evaluate the candidate’s academic and research progress based on their individual study plan. These committees are formed according to the doctoral curriculum.

A successful evaluation ensures the continuation of doctoral studies and confirms that the candidate is making progress with the doctoral dissertation.

Attestation process and frequency

• Doctoral students are evaluated once per academic year, no later than August 31 (end of the academic year).
• The attestation is attended by the doctoral student and at least one supervisor.
• A positive attestation is required to continue doctoral studies and to progress to the next academic year.
• The dates, times, and location of the attestation sessions are determined by the chair of the attestation committee at least two weeks before attestation.

• Please submit the attestation report and updated study plan at least one week before the attestation to the committee secretary.

   

Doctoral Candidate’s Responsibilities Before Attestation

• Update your profile in ETIS (Estonian Research Information System).
• Check your study results in ÕIS to ensure all credits are transferred.

• Submit the evaluation report, next year’s work plan to the secretary of the committee.

   

Prepare a short presentation (max 10 minutes) covering:

• Doctoral dissertation topic and supervisors
• Current research progress according to the individual study plan
• Published or upcoming scientific articles
• Future research and study plans

💡 The attestation session lasts approximately 15 minutes, including the presentation, questions and discussion.

Criteria for a Positive Attestation

• By the end of the first academic year - data analysis has to be started and initial results provided.
• By the end of the second academic year - research activity is sufficient to publish at least one scientific article. 

• By the end of the third academic year - two scientific publications have been submitted, with at least one accepted for publication. Research output is sufficient to prepare a third publication. In the case of a monograph-based dissertation the additional publication has been submitted or accepted for publication.

   

Information about the Kristjan Jaak  scholarshiplink opens in new page can be found on the Estonian Education and Youth Board (HARNO).

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship

✔ Estonian Language Requirement:

• Applicants must have at least a B1 level proficiency in Estonian.
• To verify this, the applicant must submit:
  • A copy of an Estonian citizenship document, or a certificate proving Estonian language proficiency at B1 level or higher, such as:
    • A certificate from a language course completed at a university or an accredited language training provider.
    • An academic transcript.

    • A certificate from an official language proficiency exam.

       

✔ Restrictions on Funding Overlaps:

• Applicants cannot receive this scholarship if they are already receiving funding from other mobility programs facilitated by the Ministry of Education and Research or the Estonian Education and Youth Board (HARNO). This includes the Erasmus+ program.

Evaluation

August 27 
Kreutzwaldi 5-2C4

Reports must be submitted electronically by August 26, 2025 to [email protected]

Before evaluation

1. Submit the report (digitally signed) to Kristel Kirsimäele ([email protected])
2. Update data in Estonian Research Information System ETIS
3. Check your study results in ÕIS.

Evaluation Committee

1. Chair: tenure professor Kalev Sepp;
2. Emeritus professor, visiting researcher Tiiu Kull;
3. Associate professor on a tenure track Monika Suškevičs;
4. Senior researcher Astrid Kännaste;
5. Senior researcher Priit Zingel.

Evaluation

August 25, 2025 at 11:00
Room 2A1 (Council Hall, Forestry Building)

NB! Doctoral students are required to give an oral presentation on site (no online broadcast will be provided)!

The valid individual study plan together with the report must be submitted electronically and digitally signed (by the student and supervisor(s)) by August 15, 2025 at 12:00 to the chair of the committee at [email protected]

Before evaluation

1. Submit the report (digitally signed) to Maris Hordo ([email protected])
2. Update data in Estonian Research Information System ETIS
3. Check your study results in ÕIS.

Evaluation Committee

1. chair: associate professor Maris Hordo;
2. Associate professor Ivar Sibul;
3. Associate professor Diana Laarmann;
4. Senior lecturer Kaido Siimon;
5. Researcher Katri Ots.

Evaluation

August 26 
Kreutzwaldi 5-D239

Reports must be submitted electronically by August 25, 2025 to [email protected]

Before evaluation

1. Submit the report (digitally signed) to Kristel Kirsimäele ([email protected])
2. Update data in Estonian Research Information System ETIS
3. Check your study results in ÕIS.

Evaluation Committee

1. chair: tenure professor Marika Mänd;
2. Associate professor Katrin Jõgar;
3. Tenure professor Ulvi Moor;
4. Tenure professor Riho Gross;
5. Tenure professor Rando Värnik;
6. Tenure professor Alar Astover;
7. Tenure professor Evelin Loit-Harro;
8. Lector Heli Kiiman.

Evaluation

June 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM 

Room B136, Technology Building 
 

June 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM 

Room B136, Technology Building

Note: Registration required by June 10, 2025 at https://xoyondo.com/dp/54k1rvxv2fyw793link opens in new page
The report must be submitted electronically no later than June 10, 2025, digitally signed (by both the student and supervisor(s)) to the committee secretary at [email protected]

August 26-27, 2025 at 9:00 AM 

Room B136, Technology Building
The report must be submitted electronically no later than August 18, 2025, digitally signed (by both the student and supervisor(s)) to the committee secretary at [email protected]

Note: Registration required by June 10, 2025 at https://xoyondo.com/dp/54k1rvxv2fyw793link opens in new page

Before evaluation

1. Submit the report (digitally signed) and individual study plan to Janar Kalder ([email protected]) 
2. Update data in Estonian Research Information System ETIS
3. Check your study results in ÕIS.

 Evaluation Committee

1. chair: lector, study director, Margus Arak;
2. Professor Evelin Jürgenson;
3. Associate Professor Risto Ilves;
4. Professor Alexander Ryabchikov;
5. Senior lector Natalja Liba;
6. Senior lector Janar Kalder.

Evaluation

June 18, 2024, Room A107, starting at 9:00

Please submit the completed evaluation report and a valid individual study plan to Andres Aland ([email protected]) no later than June 11, 2024. In general, the report must be in Estonian, but international students may submit it in English.

The presence of at least one supervisor is required at the attestation. If the supervisor is unable to attend, they must submit their written evaluation to both the attestation committee secretary and the student no later than one working day before the attestation meeting.

Before evaluation

1. Submit the report (digitally signed) and individual study plan to Andres Aland ([email protected])
2. Update data in Estonian Research Information System ETIS
3. Check your study results in ÕIS.

 Evaluation Committee

1. chair: senior lecturer Andres Aland;
2. Tenure professor Mati Roasto;
3. Tenure professor Arvo Viltrop;
4. Professor Toomas Orro;
5. Professor Andres Valdmann;
6. Associate professor Tarmo Niine.

7. Assistant professor Helena Andreson.