phd courses in sweden and norway

PhD programmes

When you apply for a phd programme in sweden, you’re actually applying for a job. yeah, you read that right. 👀.

“Do a master’s here – I’d say it’s a very good step to doing a PhD in Sweden. I did my master’s at Malmö University and now I’m doing a PhD at Lund University” – Sanjay, Malmö University. Photo: Oskar Omne

So that means – no tuition fees, no scholarships. But you’ll receive a monthly salary instead. Nice, eh? And that’s why available PhD positions are listed on a university’s job board.

How to apply for a PhD position? You’ll apply directly to the university.

Just so you know, there’s no centralised application process. And things like requirements and application dates? This kind of stuff is decided by each department. But we do know that you’ll need to have a master’s degree – in the same field of study – and a great level of English to apply for a PhD here. You might even need to be fluent in Swedish. But that’ll depend on the subject.

+ - Find a PhD at a Swedish university

• PhD at Blekinge Institute of Technology ↗️
• PhD at Chalmers University of Technology ↗️
• PhD at Dalarna University ↗️
• PhD at Halmstad University ↗️
• PhD at Jönköping University ↗️
• PhD at KTH Royal Institute of Technology ↗️
• PhD at Karlstad University ↗️
• PhD at Karolinska Institutet ↗️
• PhD at Konstfack ↗️
• PhD at Linköping University ↗️
• PhD at Linnaeus University ↗️
• PhD at Luleå University of Technology ↗️
• PhD at Lund University ↗️
• PhD at Malmö University ↗️
• PhD at Marie Cederschiöld University ↗️
• PhD at Mälardalen University ↗️
• PhD at SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) ↗️
• PhD at Stockholm School of Economics ↗️
• PhD at Stockholm University ↗️
• PhD at Stockholm University of the Arts ↗️
• PhD at the Swedish Defence University ↗️
• PhD at Södertörn University ↗️
• PhD at Umeå University ↗️
• PhD at University College Stockholm ↗️
• PhD at University West ↗️
• PhD at University of Borås ↗️
• PhD at University of Gothenburg ↗️
• PhD at University of Gävle ↗️
• PhD at University of Skövde ↗️
• PhD at Uppsala University ↗️
• PhD at Örebro University ↗️

+ - Find other academic positions in Sweden

• University Positions ↗️
• Academic Positions ↗️
• EURAXESS academic positions in Europe ↗️

+ - Useful info about research

• CORDIS ↗️ – EU Research and Information Service
• EURAXESS information ↗️ – Portal for information and practical assistance for researchers moving to Sweden
• Formas ↗️ – The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
• Swedish Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare ↗️
• Swedish Research Council ↗️
• Vinnova — Sweden’s Innovation Agency ↗️ – An organisation that integrates research and development in technology, transport and working life
• Handbook for International Researchers ↗️ – Stockholm University’s handbook for international researchers

• 👩🏽‍🎓 Beyond the master's: a PhD?
• Find a research position at a Swedish university ↗️

Doctoral degree and PhD

The University offers research training of a high international standard, with a broad range of subject areas and strong research environments. A doctorate from the University of Oslo qualifies candidates for an academic career as well as other professions requiring a high level of competence.

Before applying

To be eligible for admission to a PhD programme, certain educational and financial requirements must be met. If you have not applied to a PhD programme before, we recommend that you read this before you proceed to the programme pages.

Facts about the PhD programmes

• Requires a completed Master’s degree.
• Stipulated length of three years’ full-time studies.
• 2.5 years of independent research work.
• Educational component worth 30 credits.
• In 2018, 468 PhD candidates successfully defended their theses at the University of Oslo.

PhD programmes

Each faculty has its own PhD programme. The programme pages give details on how to apply, the programme structure, thesis and public defence.

PhD in the Humanities

PhD at The Faculty of Law

PhD in medicine and health sciences

PhD at The Faculty of Dentistry

PhD at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

PhD in Social Science

PhD at The Faculty of Theology

PhD at the Faculty of Educational Sciences

Courses and seminars

Find information on courses and seminars offered at PhD level.

Doctoral conferment

When your doctoral examination is approved by the faculty, you will be invited to a conferral ceremony in the University’s ceremonial hall, the Aula.

Public defences

Dr.philos. – another route to a doctoral degree.

The Dr.Philos. degree (Doctor Philosophiae) is awarded to academics who have qualified for a doctoral degree on their own, without formal supervision. They have no affiliation to the university as a doctoral candidate until their application for the doctoral examination has been approved.

Contact information

Questions about PhD and doctoral degrees?

Regulations

The research training is governed by the Act relating to universities and university colleges and local regulations.

Jobs at UiO

Browse through available doctoral research fellowships , read more about working as a researcher at UiO, and find the support site for international researchers.

PhD programmes

As a PhD candidate at OsloMet, you can expect a high-quality research education in a supportive academic environment.

At OsloMet, you will be a full-fledged member of our research community and will join a supportive and diverse community of academics. We have a large and growing number of international doctoral candidates and are committed to attracting talented aspiring researchers from around the world.

Many alumni of our PhD programmes pursue careers in academia, while others go on to high-level careers in the public and private sector—both in Norway and around the world.

PhD candidates in Norway are not students, but employees. Research fellows who are employed by a Norwegian university can expect some of the best working conditions in the world. As you work toward your doctoral degree, you will enjoy a good salary and a host of benefits, including five weeks of paid holiday.

You can also pursue a PhD at OsloMet while working for a different employer, either in Norway or elsewhere in the world.

• Pilestredet Campus, Oslo

All of our PhD positions are publicly advertised. You can view current available PhD positions in our job portal. 

• Job openings

Interested in learning more?

You can find detailed information about our PhD programmes, including application procedures and how to apply for funding, on our employee website. 

• Admission and funding (ansatt.oslomet.no)
• Getting started (ansatt.oslomet.no)
• During your PhD (ansatt.oslomet.no)
• Completion of your PhD (ansatt.oslomet.no)

Upcoming public defences

• Pilestredet Campus
• Faculty of Education and International Studies / Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education
• PhD defences
• Faculty of Technology, Art and Design
• Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy
• Pilestredet Campus / Hybrid event
• Centre for the Study of Professions
• Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy / Work Research Institute

Life in Oslo

Are you considering applying for a PhD or academic position at a Norwegian university? We asked the experts—our own international employees—for their advice on how to navigate the transition to working in Norway.

What defines quality of life in a city? Is it the availability of good restaurants, bars and entertainment options? Or is it easy access to unspoilt nature? In Oslo, you don’t have to choose between the two—we have plenty of both.

The sun doesn't set until close to midnight, and even then it never really gets dark. You can spend the evening watching the light change at an outdoor café with friends, or go for a relaxing swim in the fjord alone. Oslo in the summer is a pretty magical place.

• Accessibility statement
• Cookies policy
• Employee directory
• Employee website
• Student website
• Upcoming events
• Work for us

• PhD programme in Humanities and Social Sciences

Duration : 3 years

Duration: 3 År

• Study catalogue

Do you hold a master's degree with a good score and wish to embark on a research programme within humanities, social sciences or education, that qualifies you for a future academic career? Do you want to be certified for professions with a high demand for qualifications and skills? The PhD program in the humanities and social sciences offers a research programme that qualifies candidates for work in academia or other areas in which there is a strong demand for scientific insight and analytical thinking. The research programme is offered in a range of subjects and has different areas of specialisation. Areas of specialisation within the humanities: Linguistics, literature and culture, archaeology, history, philosophy, religion, theology, documentation science and art history, and more. Areas of specialisation within the social sciences: Political science, sociology, anthropology, regional planning and cultural understanding, education, tourism, welfare and social work, gender research, indigenous studies, peace studies, and more.

Mayvi B. Johansen

Senior Adviser

• Telephone: +4777623139
• Campus: Tromsø
• [email protected]

The PhD program in the humanities and social sciences is standardised at 180 credits and is divided between the educational component (30 credits) and the dissertation (150 credits) .

The education component of 30 credits will consist of compulsory and optional PhD courses (8000 level) and include these elements:

• Theory of science and research ethics. Total of 10 credits.
• Research dissemination. Total of 3-5 credits.
• Subject-specific theory and method/academic approaches and positions. Total of 15 credits.

The dissertation must be an independent scientific work that meets international standards for ethics, academic level and method within the subject area. Through the dissertation, the student must be involved in developing new academic knowledge, and the dissertation must be at a level that indicates that it can be published as part of the scientific literature on the subject.

The dissertation can be a monograph or a compilation of several smaller works and an introductory chapter, ie a collection of articles.

Upon completion the student will present a trial lecture on a given topic and a public defence of the dissertation.

Completion of the program requires integration and participation in an active research environment, collaboration with other researchers, and connecting with relevant national and international networks.

PhD students are given close supervision and academic guidance, but must assume responsibility for the planning and implementation of their dissertations.

After graduating, the PhD student will receive the following learning outcomes:

The candidates...

• are in the forefront of knowledge within the theory and methods of their field of study and are able to contribute to its development;
• can discuss theoretical issues within their field of study at an advanced level;
• can connect their own projects to broader scientific discussions and consider the use of different methods and approaches in their research.

The candidates can...

• tackle complex scientific challenges by carrying out cutting-edge research projects within their field of study;
• write different types of academic texts within their field of study and reflect on the writing process;
• participate in academic discussions and provide constructive feedback on scientific work.

General competence

• identify, reflect upon and deal with issues connected to research ethics and conduct research with academic integrity;
• disseminate research and development work orally and in writing through scientific channels and channels targeting the general public;
• contribute independently to complex and innovative projects.

A doctorate degree is Norway's highest education and qualifies for research activities of international standard and for other work in society where high standards of scientific insight and analytical thinking are required, in accordance with good scientific practice and research ethical standards. For example, the education provides qualifications for a further career as a researcher at universities, colleges, research foundations or business and other sectors where research and development is conducted and high demands are placed on knowledge and competence. With a doctorate you can also get positions with work / responsibilities in leadership t and management in knowledge companies; undertake investigative tasks in government and municipal administration; drive knowledge dissemination and teaching; participate in product development and international cooperation; and you have attractive skills in an international labor market.

To be admitted to a PhD program at UiT, applicants must have a master's degree with a good result, either an integrated master's degree of 300 credits or a 120-credit master's degree based on a bachelor's degree of 180 credits..

It is required that applicants should have a grade-point average of B (or equivalent) on their Master’s degree in order to be admitted to the PhD programme. The grade-point average also applies to 300 ECTS points integrated five-year Master’s degrees, in which all courses are to be included in the grade-point average.

In cases where the old Norwegian grade system has been used, the admission requirement is a grade-point average of 2,5.

The academic character of the PhD project (methodology, perspectives and theories) determines the project’s disciplinary affiliation. Therefore, the applicant should apply for admission to the department under which the doctoral project belongs academically, regardless of whether the applicant holds a Master’s degree in a discipline at this department. Language requirements: Applicants must document proficiency in English that satisfies the Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification. Funding Requirements : Admission is contingent on the availability of adequate funding, which as a general rule covers personnel and running costs, and overhead for a doctoral fellow position. For part-time students, it is required that a minimum of 50 % of the student’s working time may be spent on the doctoral degree programme.

Candidates who apply for a doctoral fellow position at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education are simultaneously considered for admission to the doctoral programme.

If the applicant wishes to write a thesis in a language other than those approved in the Faculty's supplementary rules for the PhD Regulations (point 19), an application for this should be submitted together with the application for admission.

Teaching methods for the courses in the training will consist of either lectures, seminars and / or guidance on written or oral presentation.

Lectures are given by academic staff at the departments and centers at the faculty, or by staff at other faculties, and by external lecturers from other institutions. The teaching methods and scope are described in more detail in the individual subject descriptions. Expected workload for the training component should be a total of 30 credits is one semester (estimated at 750 - 900 working hours). For the dissertation, the teaching method consists mainly of supervision with the appointed Principal and Co-supervisor (s). The supervision include the preparation of a plan for the dissertation and the training component (student's individual education plan), academic dialogue, assistance to the student in establishing professional networks, written and oral feedback on the dissertation text, etc. The PhD student can receive a total of 240 hours of supervision during the course of the research training, including the time needed for preparation and after-school work. This equals 40 hours per semester. In the middle of the course, the student's progression will be evaluated. The mid-term evaluation is organized by the institutes / centers and is usually held as a seminar of half a day's duration.

The teaching language of PhD subjects in the traning componet is Norwegian / Nordic and / or English.

The doctoral thesis should be written in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English or Sami. The examination language for the trial lecture and the dissertation shall be the language of the dissertation or Norwegian unless the Faculty approves otherwise.

The study program makes use of the following internationalization arrangements:

• English-language teaching and curriculum literature
• Organization for participation in international research schools
• Recognition of International Conference Participation with credits in the training componet
• International PhD student environment (ToDoS)
• Foreign grant for stays at foreign university / institution
• International exchange agreements and cooperation agreements

A stay abroad is recommended for the second or third year of the study years and for a duration of 3-10 months. Staying at a foreign learning institution will be relevant to the student's PhD project and as well gives academic benefit in the dissertation. The Faculty annually announces foreign grants that PhD students can apply to cover additional costs with the implementation of a foreign stay. UiT has exchange agreements with several foreign universities for PhD students. These are usually linked to specific subject areas. For further information, contact the international coordinator at the HSL-faculty.

• English Norsk

PhD in Educational Sciences and Humanities

The PhD programme in Educational Sciences and Humanities encompasses two research disciplines that overlap in some areas, but which also each have their own distinctive characteristics.

The Faculty of Arts and Education

Master's degree

Three years

Overview of start-ups and milstones in the PhD programme (pdf) .

The PhD programme in educational sciences and humanities encompasses two research disciplines that overlap in some areas, but which also each have their own distinctive characteristics.  

Educational sciences has a particular focus on research into childhood and adolescence, learning, teaching, general education and formal education from kindergarten through to higher education, and encompasses disciplines such as pedagogy, didactics, special education, sociology, psychology and history.

The humanities focuses on research into expressions of the human mind and human society and culture in the broadest sense, both past and present, and includes disciplines such as history, religious studies, literature and languages.

The PhD programme thus allows for both in-depth, specialised research within one of these areas and interdisciplinary investigations that traverse traditional boundaries.

Admission requirements

The general conditions for admission are set out in section 2-1 of the University of Stavanger’s PhD Regulations.

In addition, the following requirements apply to admission to the PhD programme in educational sciences and humanities:

• An average weighted grade of B or higher from the (last) two years of the master’s degree
• A grade of B or higher on the master’s thesis

In addition to the formal qualifications, importance will be attached to the quality of the proposed PhD project and relevant academic work.

Applicants who do not meet these formal criteria may exceptionally be admitted on special assessment. Importance will be attached to the academic supervisor’s documented ability to ensure the PhD candidates finish their PhD work.  It must be specified how the department/center intends to follow up the PhD candidate and ensure completion.

Read more about admission to PhD programmes .

Courses spring 2024

Below you will find an overview of relevant PhD-courses planned for the spring term 2024.

If you are already a PhD candidate at UiS you can either register in Studentweb or use the application form below in order to apply for these courses.

All external candidates must use the application form and send their paperwork to: [email protected]

Read more about DUH240 Qualitative research Dates: Week 3-19. Wednesdays from the 17th of January, 12.15-14.15. Application deadline: 3rd of January

Course coordinator: Kenan Dikilitas

Read more about DUH102 Philosophy of Science

Dates: January 22nd - 26th

Application deadline: January 8th

Course coordinator: Ståle Gundersen

Read more about DUH602 Philosophy of Science

Read more about DUH165 Applied Statistics

Dates: 18th - 22nd of March

Application deadline: 4th of March

Course coordinator: Ulrich Dettweiler

Read more about DUH270 Hermeneutics: An introduction

Dates: May 2.-3, 8

Application deadline: April 18.

Course coordinator: Tyson Retz

Read more about DUH200 Introduction to Meta-Analysis Date: May 13.-15.

Application deadline: April 29

Course coordinator: Serap Keles

Read more about DUH650 Social and emotional learning Date: May 21st-22nd and June 3rd-4th

Application deadline: May 7

Course coordinator: Ingunn Størksen

Read more about DUH120 Introduksjonsemne for ph.d.-kandidater (Norwegian) Date: TBA

No application deadline Contact: Ulrich Dettweiler og Jeanette Rollheim

Read more about DUH125 Avslutningsseminar (Norwegian) Date:

Courses autumn 2024

Below you will find an overview of relevant PhD-courses planned for the autumn term 2024.

All external candidates must use the application form and send their paperwork to [email protected] .

See full all PhD-courses at the University of Stavanger .

Read more about DUH157 Contemporary perspectives on Diversity Dates: 10th-11th of September, 15th-16th of October and 19th of November 2024 Application deadline: 26th of August 2024 Course coordinators: Geir Skeie and Hildegunn Fandrem

Read more about DUH225 Research Design Dates: 16th-19th of September 2024 Application deadline: 2nd of September Course coordinator: Arne Olav Nygard

Read more about DUH221 Educational Sciences Dates: 9th-10th of October, 24th-25th of October 2024 Application deadline: 25th of September Course coordinator: Ketil Knutsen

Read more abo ut DUH100 Systematic review Dates: 28th-30th of October Application deadline: 14th of October Course coordinator: May Irene F. Klippen

Read more about DUH205 Research ethics Dates: 4th-8th of November Application deadline: 21st of October

Read more about DUH605 Research ethics Dates: 4th-8th of November Application deadline: 21st of October

Read more abo ut DUH280 Themes in environmental humanities Dates: Application deadline: Course coordinator: Dolly Jørgensen

Information regarding this years topic can be found here .

Read more about NoRS-EH

Read more about DUH120 Introduksjonsemne for ph.d.-kandidater (Norwegian) Date: Contact: Ulrich Dettweiler og Jeanette Rollheim

Read more about DUH125 Avslutningsseminar (Norwegian) Date: Contact: Ulrich Dettweiler og Jeanette Rollheim

Forms and guidelines

Below you will find useful forms which you can download.

Find more forms and guidelines .

Guide for PhD Education

Start-up Phase

Implementation Phase

Final Phase

Regulations and Forms

Questions get in touch.

Language and Linguistics (PHSPRÅK)

• Master's programmes in English
• For exchange students
• PhD opportunities
• All programmes of study
• Language requirements
• Application process
• Academic calendar
• NTNU research
• Research excellence
• Strategic research areas
• Innovation resources
• Student in Trondheim
• Student in Gjøvik
• Student in Ålesund
• For researchers
• Life and housing
• Faculties and departments
• International researcher support

Språkvelger

Phd programme in language and linguistics (phspraak) - faculty of humanities.

• About the programme

Programme structure

• Learning objectives

Career options

• Annual reports
• Finalising the PhD

PhD programme in Language and Linguistics

The PhD programme in Language and Linguistics

About the phd programme.

This PhD-programme includes all areas of linguistics and is open to qualified applicants working with linguistic research questions. A wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches are used within the programme, and the programme aims to make the education as relevant as possible to the candidates’ fields of interest.

To be admitted to a PhD-programme you must have a complete funding plan and have completed at least five years of higher education including a master’s degree. You must have a strong academic record from your previous studies and the project description must hold a high academic standard.

A PhD is the highest level of formalized education in Norway.

Most doctors with a degree in language and linguistics continue in academia as postdoctoral fellows, researchers, associate professors and, eventually, full professors, but our doctors can also be found in other fields as for instance advisers, researchers and research librarians.

A PhD is a three-year degree based on five years of higher education, including a master's degree or other equivalent education. The programme consists of a coursework component of 30 ECTS and a doctoral thesis.

Facts about the programme

Degree level: PhD Length of programme: 3 years Campus: Dragvoll, NTNU

Application deadline: Continuous admission

For current PhD candidates

Information for current PhD candidates

Regulations

Regulations concerning the Philosophiae Doctor degree (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Doctoral degree: PhD in the Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities is the largest humanities faculty in Norway. Here you can work with some of Europe’s best researchers within the field of humanities and participate in exciting research projects.

• Why choose this PhD programme?
• Application and admission
• Programme structure
• Study and research abroad
• Courses and seminars
• Supervision
• Thesis, evaluation and public defence

About the PhD programme 

• 3 years full-time studies and research
• Presupposes funding and admission
• 30 credits coursework
• A thesis, trial lecture and public defence
• The Faculty has around 180 PhD Candidates and approximately 120 are employed as Doctoral Research Fellows.

Resources and tools

• New on the programme
• Programme plan (HF)
• Regulations (UiO)
• Library Resources
• Research Computing services
• Researcher careers (Vitae)
• Literature, references and publishing (PhD on track)
• Guidelines for research ethics (NESH)

PhD candidates employed at HF

Information about topics such as salary, leaves of absence and extensions. 

Dr. philos. degree

Another route to a doctoral degree, without formal supervision.

Extension of appointment for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Research Fellows

Doctoral Research Fellows and Postdocs who are significantly delayed in their work due to the corona pandemic can apply for an extension.

Do you have questions about the organised research training?

Contact information

Centre for Nanoscience | Lund University

The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support ).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

PhD studies

PhD studies (also known as third cycle programmes) in Sweden are stipulated to take four years of full time studies. Additional time (up to one year) is usually added for teaching.

PhD at NanoLund

NanoLund is Sweden’s largest research environment for interdisciplinary nanoscience and nanotechnology, engaging more than 130 PhD students in sciences ranging from engineering to natural sciences and medicine. PhD students constitute roughly 1/3 of the staff engaged in NanoLund and are an important and integrated part of the research conducted.

Research schools

The research schools listed here below are open to interested students.

• ADMIRE (Advanced Microscopy Research Environment) – a cross-scientific graduate school focused on microscopy and micro imaging.
• COMPUTE – a research school dedicated to scientific discovery using computers.

PhD courses

Below you can find useful links for PhD studies at different faculties at Lund University.

• Current PhD courses at the Faculty of Engineering
• PhD courses at the Faculty of Medicine
• PhD courses at the Faculty of Science
• PhD courses in Physics at the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science
• PhD course database at the Faculty of Engineering
• Career development for doctoral students

Available PhD positions

Instead of being employed by NanoLund, all scientists, including PhD students, are employed by research departments and can become members of NanoLund.

Here you will find all available PhD student positions at Lund University in English.

For more information on currently available PhD positions with relevance to NanoLund, visit Career Opportunities.

Career Opportunities at NanoLund

NanoLund Distinction

Recognition for PhD education with breadth and depth in nanoscience

General Information

Student life at Lund University – learn more about student traditions and activities

Information about PhD studies at Lund University

Vacant positions at Lund University

NanoLund Education coordinators

Coordinators Education:

• Dan Hessman

Coordinator PhD education:

• Jonas Johansson

NanoLund Mentoring program

Recent nanolund phd theses.

Publications for NanoLund at Lund University

Department of Education

Phd programme in education.

Are you inquisitive and interested in deepening your knowledge in a specific field? Are you passionate about a specific research question? Would you like to make a contribution to increasing knowledge concerning learning, education and development? Do you enjoy writing academic papers in English? Are you able to independently structure your tasks and your time and can meet deadlines? Then applying for a PhD position could be of interest to you.

Courses at the PhD-Level

Mandatory and optional courses in Education:

Courses at the PhD-Level   

Your application in four steps

Step 1: review our research groups to determine if our research interests match yours, research groups at the department of education.

• Adult Learning
• Career Development and Guidance
• Didactics as Communication
• Educational Research in Citizenship Competences (ERiCC)
• Higher Education Learning Practices
• History of Education and Sociology of Education
• International and Comparative Education Research - ICER
• Leadership, Improvement and Organization of Schools (SOUL)
• Organization pedagogics
• Pedagogy and Health
• Philosophical and Critical Studies in Education
• Vocational and Educational Training

Please note: contacting professors or associate professors before being admitted into the programme precludes them from evaluating your application.

Step 2: Carefully read through the admissions criteria and process for the PhD programme

General admissions criteria.

In order to meet the general admissions criteria, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree/Master’s degree and completed courses equivalent to at least 240 Swedish higher education credits (hp/ECTS), of which at least 60 ECTS must be in the second cycle or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere. 

The General Admissions Criteria must be fulfilled by the closing date of the admissions round.

Special Admissions Criteria

In order to meet the Special Admissions Criteria, the applicant must have completed courses equivalent to at least 90 hp/ECTS and a thesis of at least 15 hp/ECTS in one of the following subject areas: education, international and comparative education, didactics, subject-specific didactics, child and youth studies, special education, pedagogical work,

or a teaching degree equivalent to at least 180 hp/ECTS, including a thesis of at least 15 hp/ECTS, 

or a Bachelor of Arts in Study and Career Guidance, including a thesis of at least 15 hp/ECTS,

or completed courses equivalent to at least 90 hp/ECTS within another Social Science (including medical education) or Humanities subject area, including a thesis of at least 15 hp/ECTS. 

In all cases, the thesis must address research questions relevant to educational issues, theories, and methods. 

In addition, the applicant must have excellent spoken and written English language skills, which will be tested during the admissions round. 

The General and Special Admissions Criteria must be fulfilled by the application closing date.

English language proficiency

The PhD programme requires excellent spoken and written English language skills since, for example, required courses are given in English.

English language proficiency is assessed during the application process: a degree project/thesis written in Swedish must include a summary in English of a maximum of 1 page using font size 12.

Applicants who are selected during the second assessment by the faculty experts are invited in for interviews and a language test . Spoken academic English proficiency is tested as part of the interview by the applicants answering some questions in English. The applicants' written academic English skills are tested by writing an abstract based on a peer-reviewed article. This test takes place after the interviews when the applicants will be handed an article for which to write the abstract within a given time limit.

Admissions Process

Those applications which fulfil the General and Special Admissions Criteria will be assessed based on the submitted research plan. Faculty members conduct this assessment.

A professor or associate professor who has a known bias towards an applicant (for example, are related to or have another personal relationship with or was a former supervisor) will not assess that application. In order to avoid bias, the applicant is expected to independently write their application without consultation from a departmental contact.

The research plans are made anonymous and then sent on to the supervisor group, a group of professors and associate professors at the department, who individually assign (without consultation) point values to each research plan, according to the following criteria:

• Stringency of the research question and analysis of earlier work and of the research plan.
• Familiarity with the research area of the intended research plan.
• Methodological and theoretical understanding and the degree to which reflexivity is reached in the texts.
• The qualities of planned research in relation to what it contributes to the discipline.
• The intended study’s prospective ethical implications and possibility of an ethical review.
• Ability to express themselves both written and verbally in an academic setting.
• The planned study’s feasibility within the allotted time.

The point values are added together and the applications with the highest total values are sent on to the final assessment round where their entire application, including degree projects/theses, are assessed by a group of faculty experts, made up of a group of professors, who assess the applications according the criteria listed above.

The highest ranked applicants are then invited in for interviews and a test of their written and spoken English.

The final admissions decision is made by the departmental board, based upon the total point value assigned by the faculty experts.

The applicants are informed as soon as a decision has been made, during the first half of June.

Please note that if you are planning to conduct data collection abroad, you must locate external financing to cover your travel costs. The department is not able to cover these costs. It can also be difficult to combine lengthy data collection projects with required course work so be sure to consider if your research plan will be possible to complete within the time allowed.

We do not accept PhD applicants who plan to visit/collect data in countries or regions included on the Swedish Foreign Ministry travel warning list:

http://www.regeringen.se/uds-reseinformation/ud-avrader/

In addition, we do not accept PhD-projects which require interpreter services.

Step 3: Look over the PhD Programme Overview and Terms of Employment

PhD Programme Overview

PhD Courses

Terms of Employment for PhD Students

Step 4: Begin your application

Application Requirements

Research Plan Requirements

Breakdown of how your research plan will be assessed

Senior lecturer/director of studies for the doctoral program

See profile page for Åsa Broberg

• Visiting address
• Frescativägen 54

Education Administrator

See profile page for Erika Södersten

Education Administrator for the PhD-program at the Department of Education and environmental representative

Last updated: September 18, 2023

Source: Department of Education

Search among our courses and programmes

• Single Courses
• Master's programme

Last updated: March 18, 2024

Study at Stockholm University

• Academic Writing Service
• Study and career counselling
• Studying with a disability
• Your rights and responsibilities
• Examination services
• Stockholm Student Health Services
• Study environment
• In an emergency
• Studenthuset and Infocenter
• Student unions
• Sporting activities on campus
• Places to study
• Computer places and printers
• Get access to wifi
• IT safety and security tips
• Software for students
• Digital tools and services
• Career events
• Find jobs and internships
• Tips for finding your career in Sweden
• Business and innovation support
• Visas and residence permits
• Swedish personal identity number
• Living costs
• Learning Swedish
• Step-by-step guide
• Entry requirements
• Costs, fees and scholarships
• Important dates
• Sweden’s higher education system
• FAQ and contact
• How to apply
• Select your courses
• Practicalities
• Our courses and programmes
• First-class education and research
• Discover Stockholm and Sweden
• Meet us online and around the world
• Hear from our alumni
• Students of Stockholm University
• Our researchers. Your teachers
• Study with us – the newsletter
• Pre-departure information
• Checklist for admitted students
• Welcome Activities
• Get access to IT services
• How to register
• Find your way on campus
• Q&A regarding the coronavirus
• Exchange studies
• Calls for application
• Short-term exchange
• Traineeship abroad
• Degree project abroad
• Application for a degree certificate
• Degree requirements
• Digital degree certificates
• Credit transfer
• Qualifications & degrees
• Stay in touch with us
• Alumni Mentorship Programme

PhD specialisation in Finance

The PhD specialisation in Finance offers rigorous training in financial economics in a vibrant and collegial research department.  Our program allows students to grow into ambitious researchers who can successfully move on to an academic career.  

The structure of the PhD program follows international standards. During the first year, students focus on challenging coursework. The second year includes additional coursework while the primary focus shifts to independent research. Students typically take five years to complete their dissertation. 

Our faculty covers all major areas in financial economics and is highly committed to support our doctoral students, who are well integrated into the activities of the department. We have a strong record of placing graduates in international academic institutions.   

• PhD programme at NHH

Structure of the Program

Students usually finish the program within five years. Here is an overview of the main ingredients of the program. 

Course Work 

The aim of the PhD courses is to equip students with the necessary tools to create innovative research. The first year in the program is fully devoted to coursework and students are expected to take some additional elective courses during their second year.  

Regular Courses: 

• Asset Pricing 1A
• Asset Pricing 1B
• Asset Pricing 2
• Corporate Finance 1A
• Corporate Finance 1B
• Financial Econometrics
• Scientific Methods in Finance
• Topics in Empirical Corporate Finance -  Empirical Corporate Finance II
• Research Seminar in Finance
• Continuous Time Finance

The regular courses are taught by NHH faculty and by adjunct faculty from top institutions such as the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and UCLA. In addition, leading scholars occasionally teach short specialized courses during visits at the department.           

Thesis Work 

Students converge on a research field and find a supervisor by the beginning of the second year. During the second year, the focus shifts from coursework to working on the dissertation. A dissertation usually includes three research papers that are deemed publishable in international journals. Some of the chapters may be coauthored with faculty members, other PhD students or researchers at other institutions.  

Seminars & Conferences

Participation in research seminars is an essential part of the doctoral studies. The department regularly welcomes leading scholars for seminar presentations.   Before each seminar, the PhD students and a different faculty member meet for a “pre-seminar workshop” to discuss the paper presented at the seminar. In addition, faculty members and PhD students regularly present their work in internal seminars. Research and conference travels are strongly encouraged and funding for these purposes is usually available.  

International Orientation 

We encourage and facilitate international interactions for the PhD students. The Department of Finance regularly host international visitors and we are a member of the Nordic Finance Network that organizes workshops and advanced courses for doctoral students at Nordic universities and business schools. Students also have the possibility of a research visit abroad during their studies. In recent years, students have undertaken long-term visits at places such as Boston College, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, UCLA, University of Washington, and the University of Zurich.   

Adjunct Faculty

Current PhD students

ANDRE LOT 

Placement: The University of Sydney Business School, Australia  Position: Lecturer level B (tenure-track Assistant Professor) 

MARkUS LITHELL 

Placement: Virginia Tech (Pamplin College of Business) Position: Assistant Professor 

DIEGO BONELLI 

Placement: Banco de España Position:  Senior Research Economist

MICHAEL AXENROD

Placement: ESCP Business School, London Position:  Assistant Professor of Finance

Placement: Nankai University, School of Finance, Tianjin, China Position:  Assistant Professor

Placement:  Analysis Group, Brussels Position:  Associate

STIG ROAR HAUKØ LUNDEBY

Placement:  BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo Position: Assistant Professor of Finance

LORETA RAPUSHI

Placement: BI Bergen Position: Associate Professor of Finance

Damiano maggi

Placement: The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway Position: Advisor at the Solidity Regulation Section

Negar Ghanbari

Placement: Aarhus BSS - Aarhus University Position: Assistant Professor of Finance

JOHAN MELLBERG

Placement: The Swedish Social Insurance Inspectorate Position: Researcher

Giovanni Bruno 

Placement:  Scientific Beta, France Postition: Senior Quantitative Researcher

Xiaoyu Zhang 

Placement:  Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, The Netherlands Position: Assistant Professor

Varun Verma 

Placement: Horda Position: CFO

Erik Hetland Tvedt 

Placement: Ernst & Young, Norway Position: Analyst

Raffaele Giuliana 

Placement:  Central Bank of Ireland, Ireland Position: Economist

Yun Tang 

Placement: OECD, France Position: Economist

Jens Kværner 

Placement: Tilburg University, The Netherlands Position: Assistant Professor

Kamil Klavidko

Placement: Örebro University School of Business, Sweden Position: Associate Senior Lecturer

CHUNBO LIU 

Placement:  Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China Position: Assistant Professor

Tor Åge Myklebust 

Placement:  Norwegian Cancer Registry, Norway Position:  Statistician

Job Market Candidates 2024

Application and admission.

We encourage candidates with solid quantitative and analytical skills, and a strong background in disciplines such as Finance, Economics, Statistics, and Mathematics to apply.  

We admit students for the PhD in finance biannually. The next starting date is August 2025. The application system will open in the fall of 2024.

Further information on minimum admission requirements and on how to apply can be found by clicking here.

• NMBU student

Doctoral degree Full time Environmental Sciences

The PhD programme in Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management.

Start of Studies :

Continuously

The PhD programme in Environmental Sciences is a doctoral programme that will educate independent researchers of international calibre in conjunction with national and international research communities.

Career opportunities

Learning outcomes.

The PhD programme in Environmental Sciences is a doctoral programme that will educate independent researchers of international calibre in conjunction with national and international research communities. The PhD programme will qualify students for research work and for other work where there are high demands on scientific insight. The PhD programme seeks to meet the current and future needs for competence in order to conduct research, development and dissemination at universities, other public and private institutions, enterprises and organisations.

On completion of the PhD programme in Environmental Sciences, new doctors are expected to:

• Have in-depth knowledge within their subject area in environmental sciences, and to be at the forefront of knowledge within their specific area of research.
• Have in-depth knowledge about scientific theories and methods associated with the field.
• Be able to assess and analyse different theories, methods and processes in research and scientific development projects ¿ also from an international perspective.
• Contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods in the field.
• Be able to formulate problems and hypotheses, plan and conduct research and scientific development work of high international calibre within their field.
• Know how to use the scientific equipment, instruments and analysis tools of their field of specialisation.
• Master relevant statistical methods and be able to assess the utility and limitations of different statistical methods.
• Have conducted original research that has led to new knowledge that can be published in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Be able to handle complexity, create an overview, and synthesise scientific information.
• Be able to perform critical assessments and give constructive criticism on scientific work in their field.
• Be able to handle criticism constructively, and address it.
• Be able to disseminate research results orally and in writing, in both scientific and popular scientific forums.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

• Be able to conduct their research with professional and ethical integrity, and be able to identify and evaluate relevant environmental and ethical issues.
• Be able to manage interdisciplinary tasks and projects.
• Be able to disseminate research and development work through recognised national and international channels, and participate in scientific debates within the subject area.
• Be able to disseminate the results of their research work to the business sector, the authorities and public administration, and to the general public through contact with the media.
• Be able to place own research in larger scientific and societal contexts.
• Be able to assess the need for and, if required, stimulate innovation in the field.
• Have some experience with teaching students within their subject area or area of specialisation when this is possible.

Exchange possibilities

IMV facilitates national and international exchanges. PhD candidates are encouraged to take international courses, and to spend a period of time at a foreign research institution during their PhD contract.

Program structure

Based on a relevant master's degree, the PhD candidate will carry out an independent work of research that will lead to a scientific thesis of high academic quality. The candidate must learn critical thinking skills, how to disseminate knowledge, and academic collaboration. The PhD education will be provided in close interaction with a team of at least two supervisors who will assist the candidate in the process with issues related to theory, experiments and concepts, and the rest of the research community around the PhD student.

The programme will offer a broad scientific approach on complex geological processes in the landscape and the interaction between the natural environment and the climate over time, better exploitation of groundwater and mineral resources and flood reduction measures. The key words are paleoenvironment, paleoclimate, hydrogeology and agrogeology. The programme will offer a scientific focus on the paleoenvironment, the paleoclimate and geological resources.

SOIL (biogeochemistry and plant nutrition)

The programme will provide a broad scientific approach and in-depth expertise on complex biogeochemical processes in soil in the fields of soil chemistry, soil physics and soil biology in both cultivated and natural systems.

LIMNOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY

The programme offers a broad scientific approach to key limnological and hydrological issues, especially processes linking watershed and freshwater systems. Key words: limnology, hydrology, freshwater biology, water chemistry, run-off. Scientific focus on biological, chemical and physical processes in freshwater systems within topics like eutrophication, primary production, natural organic material (humus), and lake dynamics, based on lake and sediment samples, and modelling tools. Limnology and hydrology are subjects that synthesise knowledge from a number of basic subject areas in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, geology, pedology, etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Environmental chemistry linked to ecotoxicology covers substances (e.g. metals, salts, organic compounds, radionuclides) in different ecosystems and processes that affect transport, biological uptake and effects on organisms in the environment in the short and long term. The programme links exposure (chemistry) to response (biology), and represents a broad scientific approach to the areas of environmental contaminants ¿ sources ¿ transport ¿ biological uptake ¿ early effects ¿ consequences and risk assessments. The programme will provide scientific specialisation in subjects that focus on environmental contaminants: sources, consequences and risk assessments, with emphasis on mechanisms, processes and kinetics. To reduce uncertainties associated with risk assessments, the focus will be on key factors that cause the greatest uncertainties. Research related to radioactivity in collaboration with other stressors is also a topic at the Centre for Environmental Radioactivity (CERAD), NMBU's only Centre of Excellence, which has been established at IMV, and is financed by the Research Council of Norway (2013¿2022).

All PhD students must attend three regular seminars at the department, in accordance with section 9.1: an introductory seminar before submitting the application for approval of the education plan, a midterm assessment seminar about 1.5¿2 years into the PhD education, and a final seminar before submitting the doctoral thesis. The midterm assessment must be carried out in accordance with section 9.2. The seminars are considered part of the required education plan and the quality assurance of the PhD programme of study, and will give the students useful feedback for the work ahead.

PhD students must submit annual progress reports on a standard form. The first of these must be submitted 6 months after the start date, then every year. Deviations from the plan must be explained. The requirement of a progress report is set out in section 9.1. PhD students and supervisors share responsibility for progress.

More about the program

Societal relevance.

Geological PhD research is relevant to society through its contributions to a better understanding of geological processes and abiotic nature (geosystem services). This covers the interaction between the climate and the natural environment over time, the shaping and use of the landscape, and sustainable and environmentally adapted use of geological resources, including groundwater.

SOIL - BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

The relevance to society of biogeochemistry and plant nutrition is linked to the management of soil as a resource, related to improved and safe environmentally-friendly food production, handling contaminants, carbon storage and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. Soil is important to the entire ecosystem in order to regulate the effects of a changed climate and land use. PhD research will cover the interaction between soil and other elements, and how knowledge about soil is important in order to understand processes in the ecosystem that affect society globally;e.g. drinking water quality and soil quality in relation to food production.

LIMONOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY

Water-related research within the PhD programme will be of great relevance to ecosystem-based water management, and a cohesive approach to national and international challenges associated with water resources and water contamination. Freshwater is a limited resource that is affected by changes in weather and climate conditions. The interaction between water balance and water quality is crucial in this respect. Implementation of the EU's Water Framework Directive has recently brought this issue to the fore, and the reference state and pollution levels are central issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY AND ECOTOXICOLOGY

Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology require exposure (chemistry) to a biological response (biology). This subject area is therefore of direct scientific relevance to management of the Pollution Control Act, the Radiation Protection Act, the EU's Water Framework Directive, etc. The Pollution Control Regulations were amended in 2012, and the term environmental contaminant now covers metals, organic compounds and radioactive substances. Research related to the discharge of environmental contaminants from different sources, transport and dispersal in different ecosystems, biological uptake and early effects on the level of individual, the population and the ecosystem, and assessment of consequences and risks are thus highly relevant to society.

Learning activities

MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE KNOWLEDGE

• Required coursework of a minimum of 30 credits that consists of a combination of compulsory and elective courses in the subject area, providing comprehensive in-depth competence. The required coursework will be adapted to the PhD student's individual specialisation in the subject area, based on his/her master's degree.
• Reading and keeping updated on literature within his/her field of specialisation.
• Work on the synthesis (i.e., the introductory chapter) of the thesis, where the candidate has independently written an introduction that provides a theoretical and practical background for the research work, discusses and justifies the choice and use of research methods and puts the results as a whole in an international perspective.
• Participation in national and international meetings and conferences.

MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE SKILLS

• Participating in planning and shaping the PhD project in detail and, if applicable, participating in the planning of new project applications.
• Supervision and own research, where the PhD student actively benefits from the competence of the supervisory team.
• Developing his/her own academic network outside the supervisory team.
• Attending courses and conferences when relevant.
• Working on publications, submissions to journals, handling remarks from referees, and working on the thesis.
• Participating in peer review of scientific manuscripts, giving feedback on colleagues' manuscripts, and attending seminars where the ideas and results of other PhD students and researchers are discussed.

MEANS OF ACHIEVING GENERAL COMPETENCE

• Taking a course on research ethics with a recommended scope of at least 5 credits.
• Supervision and own research
• Working on publications and the thesis.
• The trial lecture, by familiarising him/herself with a specified topic quickly, time management, searching for / electing / evaluating / processing information, giving an oral presentation.
• Presenting own research findings at national and international scientific conferences.
• Giving lectures to students and/or being a teaching assistant within his/her area of competence when this is possible.

Examination

The objectives and input to learning outcomes will be evaluated in the final instance by means of a trial lecture and public defence of the thesis. The required coursework is evaluated using different forms of evaluation, such as an oral or written examination, submitting assignments or a term paper. The content of the doctoral work and the required coursework is approved by the research committee, and the progress is monitored by means of annual progress reports and the compulsory seminars (introductory seminar, midway assessment seminar and final seminar). Other input to learning outcomes does not need to be evaluated, but the principal supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the objectives are met through relevant measures, scientific discussions and steps towards dissemination work within the time frame of the doctoral work.

The degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) is conferred on the basis of:

• approved completion of the required coursework
• an approved doctoral thesis
• an approved trial lecture on a specified topic
• an approved public defence of the doctoral thesis (disputation)

See section 12.

The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support ).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Distance learning

Lund University has a selection of stand-alone courses and one full degree programme available through distance learning.

Distance learning programmes

Follow the links below to read more about each programme.

Master's in Geographical Information Systems programme This two-year degree programme is taught entirely online and can be studied either at a 100% or 50% pace of study.

Master's in Religious Roots of Europe Parts of this two-year degree programme are taught through distance learning, however, the programme requires campus time and is a joint programme between the Nordic universities of Aarhus, Bergen, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Lund. The pace of study is 100%.

Distance learning stand-alone courses

Search for courses in our list of stand-alone courses. 

Our selection of distance learning stand-alone courses

Applying for distance learning studies

The above distance learning degree programmes and stand-alone courses have formal admission requirements (refer to the specific programme or course links for details). Students who wish to apply must follow the formal application process for Bachelor's and Master's studies – you must apply online using the University Admissions in Sweden website (universityadmissions.se) during the national application periods.

The application steps for Bachelor's and Master's studies (including distance learning)

Study a Massive Open Online Course

We offer several open online courses known as 'MOOCs'. These are open to anyone with an interest in the subject and are free of charge.

See a list of our MOOCs

MOOCs – online courses

Sign up on coursera.org today and join one of our Massive Open Online Courses – a type of free university course delivered online and open to anyone.

How to apply for distance learning studies