Lisensiaattitutkinto

Lisensiaattitutkinto is a graduate level academic degree offered by Finnish universities, positioned between the master's and doctoral levels. The licentiate degree was established in the early 20th century as a means to provide advanced training for professionals and researchers who required a higher qualification than a master's but did not pursue a full doctoral program. In Finland, the degree is awarded after the completion of a specified course of study and a research or professional dissertation that demonstrates a considerable degree of independent work.

The typical duration of a licentiate program is two to three years of full‑time study, although part‑time students may take longer. Coursework requirements vary by discipline but often include advanced seminars, research methodology courses, and elective modules that deepen subject‑specific expertise. The culminating component is the licentiate dissertation, which must contribute new knowledge or insights to the field and is subject to a rigorous peer review and oral examination.

Compared with a PhD, the licentiate dissertation is generally shorter, and the breadth of research is narrower. Nevertheless, the licentiate is recognised within the European Higher Education Area as a qualification that permits the holder to pursue an academic career or to obtain professional statuses that require advanced research competence. In practice, many Finnish academics hold a licentiate as a stepping‑stone to a doctoral degree, while others remain in sectors such as engineering, law, and applied sciences where a licentiate provides the necessary expertise for senior professional roles.