Conferment of doctoral degrees

The ceremonial conferment of doctoral degrees is the highest and most prestigious academic celebration and a tradition that spans several centuries. “Promootio”, the Finnish word for conferment, comes from the Latin verb “promovere”, which means promotion, advancement, and elevation. The purpose of the conferment ceremony is to highlight the value of and respect for research and education.

At the conferment ceremony, the doctors are presented with a doctoral hat as a symbol of academic freedom and – except for Doctors of Science in Technology or Architecture – the doctoral sword. The promovendi purchase their hats and swords by themselves. Please follow the instructions and don't hesitate to ask the conferment committee for advice before making any purchases.

The next Ceremonial Conferment of Doctoral Degrees of Tampere University will take place on 11—13 June 2027. Information and instructions for participants will be updated on the Conferment of doctoral degrees webpages.

The first doctoral conferment of the new multidisciplinary Tampere University was celebrated in August 2022 and the second in June 2025. Go back to the first two events by watching these videos published on Tampere University's YouTube channel: