Psychology, PhD
The School of Natural Sciences and Health is home to researchers and lecturers who work on an international level in developmental, cultural, and school psychology and also the new psychology paradigm – idiographic psychology.
In 2025/2026 academic year, there will be admitted students for the following positions:
Junior researcher (will be employed by the university)
- 1 PhD junior researcher position (open topic)
- 2 junior researcher positions will be distributed by the admission board during the admission period (open topic)
PhD student (not employed by the university)
- 1 PhD student position (open topic)
Learning Outcomes
The graduate:
- knows new trends in psychology and deep knowledge in the field of doctoral theses;
- understands the role and meaning of psychology in a broad contex of social sciences;
- is able to analyze and critically evaluate different studies, paradigms, theories and models of psychology;
- is capable to plan and organize R&D activities, critically analyze and evaluate results;
- is competent in teaching psychology and supporting the students' learning process;
- is able to present results of scientific research in scientific communication;
- is able to introduce specific psychology related knowledge in the larger context of the society and culture, participate in discussions in the society and affect social decision processes;
- knows ethical and professional standards in the field of practical psychology;
- is able to prepare and perform international research projects;
- knows the deep knowledge of research methods, new trends and theories in psychology.
- Conferred Degree: PhD (Psychology)
What Do We Expect from an Applicant?
We await in our studies persons with a Master’s degree or its equivalent in psychology who have experiences in participating in science projects, who have a clear interest in scientific research in psychology, and who are authors of at least one publication in the field of psychology. We presume the candidate has shown excellent academic results during the Master’s program.
Why Study Psychology at Tallinn University?
The School of Natural Sciences and Health is home to researchers and lecturers who work on an international level in developmental, cultural, and school psychology and also the new psychology paradigm – idiographic psychology. However, the School of Natural Sciences and Health operates on the principle of academic freedom and supports the academic development of the doctoral student on an international level and with the presence of external supervisors also in fields not related to the institute’s research fields of priority.
Objectives of the Programme
- to create premises for acquiring the highest scientific qualification in psychology;
- to support the development of competence for working as an independent specialist in different areas of psychology that presuppose deep knowledge in psychology;
- to support the development of new generation of researchers, academicians, and specialist;
- to create premises for acquiring high level qualifications in psychology that are needed for composing psychological expertices, councel, and consult in different areas.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Doctoral Studies in Psychology is open. Specifically, doctoral research topics related to funded projects or activities at Tallinn University are welcome.
Additional Admission Requirements:
- Master's degree (or equivalent qualification) in Psychology.
- Minimum required level of English proficiency is B2.
To apply, the following documents must be submitted through the admissions information system:
- Doctoral thesis proposal coordinated with a potential supervisor.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Motivation letter (up to 3000 characters).
- Optionally, include previously published publications.
The admission exam consists of:
- An interview on the topics of the doctoral thesis proposal.
- Evaluation of the candidate's academic achievements (CV and published publications).
The evaluation of the admission exam follows the university's grading system, where the final positive result for admission to doctoral studies ranges from 75 to a maximum of 100 points.
Programme specific requirements:
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Admission exam (discussion about the doctoral project; estimation of candidate's CV and publications) is based on the plan for the doctoral thesis (about 5 pages) that is agreed with the prospective supervisor (signed). Supervisor must have the PhD in psychology and be active researcher in the field of psychology at least past 5 years.
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Required English level is B2.
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For the purposes of identity verification at the admission procedure the Admission Committee has the right to take a screenshot during the oral part of the admission exam carried out via video bridge.
Defended doctoral theses
What are the Career Options After the Studies?
- A PhD in psychology enables the graduate to work primarily in three fields: a) as top specialists in various organizations that require analytical skills, the development of original solutions, and the usage of science-based arguments; b) as university lecturers; c) as heads of R&D projects or as a researcher in such a project.
Meet some of our Alumni
Valeri Murnikov, psühholoogia PhD
2024. aasta detsembris kaitses Valeri Murnikov Tallinna Ülikoolis doktoritööd „Toward overcoming fragmentation in psychology theory: explorative studies on the relationship between word meaning structure, visuospatial perception, and recall accuracy“ („Psühholoogiliste teooriate fragmenteerituse vähendamise suunal: eksploratiivsed uuringud mõistelise mõtlemise struktuuri seosest visuaalruumilise taju ja meelde tuletamisega“).
Valeri on haridusteaduste instituudi hariduspsühholoogia keskuse teadur.
- Loe Valeri doktoritöö kohta blogist.
- Tutvu doktoritööga.
Kristel Kiens, psühholoogia PhD
2022. aasta augustis kaitses Kristel Kiens Tallinna Ülikoolis doktoritööd "Applying sport psychology in Estonia: holistic ecological perspective in understanding dual career development and applying acceptance-based approaches when working with student-athletes" („Spordipsühholoogia rakendamine Eestis: Terviklik ökoloogiline lähenemine kahese karjääri arendamise mõistmisele ning aktsepteerimisel põhinevate lähenemiste rakendamine õppursportlastega koostöös“).
Kristel on ka hetkel loodus- ja terviseteaduste instituudis spordipsühholoogia külalislektor.
- Loe Kristeli doktoritöö kohta blogist.
- Tutvu doktoritööga.
Valdar Tammik, psühholoogia PhD
2021. aasta jaanuaris kaitses Valdar Tammik Tallinna Ülikoolis doktoritööd "Relationships between dominant structure of word meanings and visual figure discrimination" („Seos juhtiva mõistete struktuuri ja visuaalse objektituvastuse vahel”).
- Loe Valdari doktoritöö kirjutamise kohta blogist.
- Tutvu doktoritööga.
Elina Malleus-Kotšegarov, psühholoogia PhD
2019. aasta oktoobris kaitses Elina Malleus Tallinna Ülikoolis doktoritööd "Students’ weather-related knowledge. What supports and impedes its development?" („Õpilaste ilmastikualased teadmised ning nende arengut soodustavad ja takistavad tegurid”).
Elina töötab Tallinna Ülikooli haridusteaduste instituudis dotsendina.
- Loe Elina doktoritöö kohta blogist.
- Tutvu doktoritööga
Tutvu ka varasemalt meie instituudis kaitstud doktoritöödega:
Contact us!
- Specific questions regarding the programme should be directed to the School of Natural Sciences and Health:
Head of Study Programme : katrin kullasepp
study counsellor and specialist: Greete Horn
E-mailgreete.horn@tlu.ee
- For additional guidelines regarding admission procedure please contact the international admission specialist.
PostiaadressNarva mnt 25, 10120 Tallinn
E-postadmissions@tlu.ee