Call for applications 2027-2028
The application period is 2nd November – 2nd December 2026, 15.00 (UTC+2) for the programme beginning August 2027.
Before applying, carefully read through the programme-specific admission criteria in studyinfo.fi (NOTE! The new admissions criteria for 2027 will be published on late August 2026) and the instructions on how to apply to IPPE.
The application form is available in studyinfo.fi during the application period.
The International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health (IPPE), in the Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Finland, is a doctoral training program for highly qualified researchers and public health personnel worldwide who are aiming at a PhD degree in public health sciences, including epidemiology and other health science disciplines.
The Health Sciences Unit is one of the leading research institutions at Tampere University and is 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 participates in several international collaborative research projects.
Our public health teaching and research is multidisciplinary, and includes the fields of biostatistics, epidemiology, gerontology, global health and development, health and social policy, health economics, health services research, health sociology, nursing science, public health and social psychiatry.
The Unit also hosts the
World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Health in All Policies and the Social Determinants of Health and
the Tampere Center for Global Public Health Research and Training.
Programme goals
The 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 prepares PhD scholars for leadership positions in research, administration, program planning and policy development.
Programme content
The IPPE Programme consists of intensive theoretical and practical training in epidemiology and biostatistics, qualitative and mixed methods research, systematic reviews, including research seminars and individual supervision. Although some core method courses are required, the students are given considerable latitude in selecting courses and their studies may be tailored to meet individual learning and professional goals, including subject specific courses in disciplines such as gerontology, global health, or health and social policy. Please see previous course descriptions, the new curriculum will be published in spring 2027.
The accepted PhD candidates will spend the 2027 to 2028 academic year (from August 2027 to May 2028) 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
IPPE Programme 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 and Development
Health and Social Policy
Health Economics
Health Services Research
Health Sociology
Nursing Science
Public Health
Social Psychiatry
Credits
A PhD degree consists of 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credit points. In the IPPE Programme, coursework accounts for 40 ECTS and dissertation for 200 ECTS.
Duration of studies
The duration of the coursework curriculum is one academic year (August 2027 to May 2028). Participation in the program requires a 10-month residency in Tampere, Finland. Full-time study aims to obtain a doctoral degree in four 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 outside funding before joining the programme. For students accepted in the Programme, there are some opportunities to apply for competitive research grants from external funding sources in Finland and elsewhere. However funding applications are highly competitive.
Learn more about the studies and admission criteria and apply: Studyinfo.fi
(NOTE! The new admissions criteria for 2027 will be published on late August 2026).
Contact information
Coordinator: Ms. Tiina Kangasluoma
Programme e-mail ippe.doc.tau@tuni.fi
Visit IPPE on the web and on LinkedIn
Programme Director: Pekka Nuorti MD, PhD, Professor of epidemiology