How to apply (for doctoral/Phd)

When a wholly or partly funded position for a PhD student becomes vacant it must be advertised so that all those interested can apply. Many institutions of higher education also advertise externally-funded positions.

Announcements on the websites of institutions are common. If you are considering doctoral studies or research training you should obtain specific information and application materials directly from the institution and the department where the subject is taught.

Applications for PhD studies should be sent directly to the department along with officially certified copies of diplomas and/or certificates or official transcripts, diploma work and letters of recommendation. Authorized translations are often required. Some departments have fixed application dates while others admit students on an ongoing basis.

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Admission requirements for Dectoral studies/Phd

To be admitted to a postgraduate research position, a student must hold a university degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher, with a major in the same subject as the intended field of study. The major must have included a degree thesis presenting the results of independent research.

In most cases a master’s degree is required. Foreign students wishing to study for a PhD in Sweden are advised to prepare for a master’s degree in Sweden first, if a relevant program is available in English. A Swedish master’s degree is likely to improve a student’s chances of being admitted to a PhD program.

Specific requirements are set for each subject. For information about these you should contact the department you are interested in. An assessment will also be made of the applicant’s suitability and his or her ability to complete doctoral studies. Students must also have a good command of English.

Many departments have no formal Swedish language requirements for admission to doctoral studies or research training. However, a good command of the language is essential in many subjects as lectures and seminars are often conducted in Swedish.

In some cases, students will be advised to attend Swedish language courses parallel to their doctoral studies.

Admission to doctoral studies and research training is restricted and competition is keen. Universities and university colleges can only admit students who are funded for the entire study period, or who have been awarded a postgraduate studentship (doktorandtjänst) or a study grant (utbildningsbidrag) by the university.

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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

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Doctoral studies

Swedish research is wide-ranging and well respected internationally. Swedish researchers are especially prominent in the fields of natural science, medicine and technology.

Most publicly funded research is carried out at universities. Many teachers are involved in both education and research, while also supervising PhD students.

Foreign students enrolled as PhD students at their home universities can register for postgraduate courses and seminars in Sweden for a limited period, provided there is an exchange agreement or some other link between the Swedish institution and its foreign counterpart.

Otherwise, admission to doctoral studies is restricted and universities and university colleges may only admit students who have funding for the entire study period. Many departments have no formal admission requirements with regard to Swedish language skills. However, it may be helpful to take some classes in Swedish.

Some 19,000 people are enrolled as research students in Sweden. Around 3,800 were granted doctoral or licentiate degrees in 2006. The average PhD student is enrolled in his or her late twenties or early thirties.

Research in Sweden has an international approach, and exchange is seen as an integral part of the system. About 20% of all research students have a non-Swedish background. Research students from other countries are primarily represented in the fields of medicine, the natural sciences and technology.

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