The application period for 2025 intake has ended. The next application period is late 2026, for the programme beginning August 2027.
Before applying, carefully read through the programme-specific admission criteria in studyinfo.fi and the instructions on how to apply to IPPE. Application form is available in studyinfo.fi during the application period.
The International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health (IPPE), Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Finland, is a doctoral training program for highly qualified epidemiologists, researchers, and public health personnel worldwide who are aiming at a PhD degree in epidemiology or related public health sciences.
The Health Sciences Unit is one of the leading research institutions at Tampere University and widely recognized internationally. Offered degree programmes include bachelor, master and doctoral levels. Doctoral training has a strong emphasis on training in research methods. The IPPE programme faculty participate in several international collaborative research projects. Our teaching and research in public health is multidisciplinary, and includes the fields of biostatistics, epidemiology, gerontology, global health, health care management, health economics, health services research, health sociology, nursing science, health promotion, social and health policy, and social psychiatry. The Unit also hosts the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Health in All Policies and the Social Determinants of Health.
Programme goals
The main objectives of the IPPE Programme are to increase knowledge and understanding of major public health problems, particularly in low-and middle-income countries, and to build sustainable public health capacity in these countries by collaborating with global partners in the field. The Programme trains epidemiologists and public health personnel for leadership positions in research, administration, program planning and policy development.
Programme content
The IPPE Programme includes intensive theoretical and practical training in epidemiology and biostatistics, courses in other public health sciences, research seminars and individual supervision. Although the core method courses are required, the students are given considerable latitude in selecting optional courses and the programme may be tailored to meet individual learning and professional goals. Please see previous course descriptions.
The selected PhD candidates will spend the 2025 to 2026 academic year (from August 2025 to May 2026) in Tampere, Finland to complete the required coursework and to prepare a comprehensive research plan for their PhD thesis. The bulk of field research, data analysis and reporting, however, is generally conducted after completion of coursework either in Finland or abroad during three to four additional years. The doctoral dissertation consists of at least three original scientific papers published in international, peer-reviewed journals and a thesis synthesizing the research findings. After successful public examination and defense of the dissertation, a doctoral degree (PhD) in epidemiology or related public health discipline is awarded.
Research fields
Our faculty’s research interests include:
Biostatistics
Epidemiology
(Subject matter areas: epidemiology of infectious diseases, evaluation of vaccination programmes, nutritional epidemiology, non-communicable diseases, epidemiology and prevention of cancer)
Gerontology
Global Health
Health and Social Policy
Health promotion
Credits
A PhD degree consists of 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credit points. In the IPPE Programme, coursework accounts for 60 ECTS and dissertation for 180 ECTS.
Duration of studies
The duration of the coursework curriculum is one academic year (August 2025 to May 2026). Participation in the program requires a 10-month residency in Tampere, Finland. Full-time study aims to obtain the doctoral degree in a total of 4 years.
Tuition, accommodation, living and travel costs
Currently, Tampere University charges no tuition or course fees for doctoral students accepted in the IPPE Programme.
Students should be able to cover their travel, accommodation and living costs while in Finland. The Finnish immigration service requires that doctoral students have at least EUR 1 090 per month at their disposal to pay for accommodation, food and other living expenses. Therefore, a minimum of EUR 10 900 is required to study in Finland for one academic year.
The IPPE -programme does not provide personal or project funding, and acceptance to the IPPE -programme does not guarantee financial aid.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply for external funding before joining the programme. For students selected in the Programme there are opportunities to apply for competitive research grants from external funding sources in Finland.
Learn more about the studies and admission criteria and apply: Studyinfo.fi
Contact information
Coordinator: Ms. Tiina Kangasluoma
Programme e-mail ippe.doc.tau@tuni.fi
Visit IPPE on the web
Programme Director: Pekka Nuorti MD, PhD, Professor of epidemiology