The Conferment Ceremony of the Faculty of Philosophy is organized to celebrate the graduates of certain faculties of the University of Helsinki. The common factor with these faculties is that they have originated from the historical Faculty of Philosophy. Thus, the right to participate in the ceremony as a promovendus requires a Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree from one of these faculties.
You are eligible to take part in the Conferment Ceremony as a Master promovendus if you have:
- graduated from the University of Helsinki from the Faculty of Arts, Science, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Educational Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, or Pharmacy with a Master’s degree (M.A. or M.Sc.), or
- completed an equivalent Bachelor’s degree in any of said Faculties before the 1994 Government Decree on University Degrees, or if you have begun your studies in the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences of the University of Helsinki but graduated from the Faculty of Medicine with a Master’s degree (M.Sc.), or
- completed your M.Sc. in the Faculty of Pharmacy after the Big Wheel (i.e. a degree with a Master’s thesis of 30 credits).
You are eligible to take part in the Conferment Ceremony as a Doctor promovendus if you have:
- completed a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in any of the aforementioned faculties.
However, those who have graduated from the Faculty of Medicine with a Doctorate will take part in the Conferment Ceremony of the Faculty of Medicine.
Also, to reiterate, M.A., M.Sc. or Ph.D. graduates from other than the aforementioned faculties at the University of Helsinki are not eligible to participate in the Conferment Ceremony of the Faculty of Philosophy.
In order to participate, the degree in question has to be awarded by the university before the 31st of July 2021. For questions regarding graduation, please refer to the student services of your faculty.
Promovendi often attend the event together with their spouse or other companion. A Master’s companion is called a wreath-weaver, as it is customary for them to craft the laurel wreaths for the Master promovendi on the day before the Conferment Act. A Doctor’s companion is called a sword-whetter, but despite the name they do not have to take part in the sharpening of the swords. The companions (“avecs”) attend the dinners together with the promovendi as well as take part in all other celebrations. It is also possible to participate in the Conferment Ceremony without a companion. The official wreath-weaver and their assistants will craft the laurel wreaths for the Master promovendi who are attending the event alone.In terms of registering for the different events, there are two possibilities: one can either participate in the entire three-day Conferment Ceremony, or just in the Conferment Act itself and its rehearsal.