Swedish Phd

PhD students are required to undertake a research assignment and pursue theoretical studies in the form of seminars or courses. The research is intended to lead to a scholarly thesis; writing it will take up most of a student’s time.

Postgraduate science students spend a great deal of time in the laboratory. If research findings are reproduced in scientific journals the thesis may be a compilation of the published articles.

All doctoral students receive individual tutoring and theses are publicly defended. Some departments may require that the thesis be part of an ongoing project within the department. In the fields of technology, natural science and medicine, researchers often work as part of a team.

The term “postgraduate school” is used in connection with doctoral studies and research training with a clearly defined organizational structure and offering a carefully designed range of courses, often of a multidisciplinary character.

Studies towards a doctoral degree are worth 240 higher education credits (ECTS) and require a minimum of four years of full-time study. Licentiate degrees – comprised of 120 higher education credits – require two years of study. This program includes courses and a final major degree dissertation. The thesis often accounts for more than half of the total workload.

Studying towards a PhD is a demanding commitment. Much of the work is carried out independently and students need to be highly motivated