The Graduate School at Åbo Akademi University is an umbrella unit for Åbo Akademi doctoral programmes. The purpose of the Graduate School at Åbo Akademi University is to promote the professionalisation of doctoral studies, thus ensuring that:

• the studies are systematic, well-structured and meet the highest standards
• the degree can be completed within the time stated in the supervision and study agreement
• the studies provide the qualifications needed for a career in research and other positions requiring a high level of expertise in academia, the business sector and society as a whole.

The Graduate School at Åbo Akademi University is steered by the Strategic Council for Research (FoR) (chair: Professor Reko Leino), which is also responsible for research concerns. The role of the Board includes to further research, matters of research ethics and open science and research. The Board initiates evaluation and development of the quality of the doctoral studies, as well as such education for doctoral students that does not fall within the expertise of the doctoral programmes.

The Graduate School of Åbo Akademi University also has doctoral networks.