Finland · PhD
University of Jyväskylä
PhD in Education and Learning Sciences
University of Jyväskylä
Course Overview
The University of Jyväskylä — Finland's leading university for education and learning sciences — offers a structured doctoral programme in Education and Learning Sciences within its Faculty of Education and Psychology and the Finnish Institute for Educational Research. Research strengths cover learning and motivation, teacher education, educational psychology, inclusive and digital education, and education policy. Doctoral researchers are typically either salaried (employed by the university or a funded project) or supported by foundation grants, and the structured programme combines independent research with methods training and a public thesis defence.
Sri Lankan applicants reach Jyväskylä doctoral positions after a strong Master's in education, psychology, or a related field, usually with research experience and a clear proposal aligned to a supervisor. Funded positions and grants make the PhD financially viable, and Finland's safe, research-led environment is a major draw. Sri Lankan returnees route into senior academic and research roles at university faculties of education, the National Institute of Education, education-policy and curriculum bodies, and international research and development organisations.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle A recognised Master's degree in Education, Psychology, or a closely-related discipline, with a strong research component and grades.
- check_circle Sri Lankan applicants with a Master's in Education or a related field (university faculties of education, NIE-linked programmes) and prior research output are competitive.
- check_circle A pre-approved supervisor match and a detailed research proposal aligned with the faculty's research groups — identify a supervisor before applying.
- check_circle An academic CV, publications where available, and two academic references.
- check_circle Certified, translated transcripts, degree certificates, and the Master's thesis or research samples.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 5.5).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 92 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English: C1 Advanced.
- check_circle Doctoral research and supervision are conducted in English — Finnish not required for the degree.
- check_circle Waived if your prior degree was taught and assessed entirely in English (Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium degrees qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (Fully) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (no tuition for doctoral study in Finland) | €0 | Rs. 0 |
| Salaried Doctoral Position (gross, where funded) | €2,600/mo | Rs. 897,000/mo |
| Residence Permit & Health Insurance | €650 | Rs. 224,250 |
| Living Expenses in Jyväskylä (12 months) | €9,000 | Rs. 3,105,000 |
| Total Annual Funded Package (salaried) | €31,200+ | Rs. 10,764,000+ |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Finland grants non-EU graduates a 2-year residence permit to seek work, and doctoral graduates are well placed for academic and research careers across the Nordics and Europe. Education PhDs move into university teaching and research, education-policy and assessment bodies, EdTech research, and international organisations. Sri Lankan returnees route into senior academic posts at university faculties of education, the National Institute of Education, curriculum and policy bodies, and research and development organisations.
Related Programs
MA in Education (Educational Sciences)
University of Jyväskylä
MA Global Education (Changing Education)
University of Helsinki
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Deakin University
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ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.