PhD Student Life: Myths and Reality
Many of us have at some point imagined ourselves doing a PhD. For some, the idea of spending several years immersed in a single problem feels both frightening and daunting. For others, it seems like a dream life. Myths and preconceptions about what a “researcher type” is like and what everyday life is like for PhD students can both attract and deter people.
We meet Henning, Klara, Jimena and Markus at the Ahlinska Library in Skytteanum for a conversation about life as a doctoral student.
The doctoral programme comprises four years of full-time study. Unlike at some other departments, doctoral students at the Department of Government in Uppsala take compulsory courses throughout their first year, while also developing their research plan. The plan, known as the introductory memorandum (or IP in Swedish), is presented at the beginning of the second year.
During years two, three and four, thesis work is conducted in parallel with departmental duties in the form of teaching and support for the department's activities. Doctoral students are granted an extension of their service, up to a maximum of 20 per cent, based on how much time they devote to departmental duties.
The first myth: ‘You won't get in’
Ahead of this year's application period for doctoral studies at the Department of Government, we meet four doctoral students – Henning Bollmark, Klara Hvarfner, Markus Sjölén and Jimena Castro – for a conversation about what life as a doctoral student can actually be like.
Jimena Castro
– I am perhaps a little older than average. I had thought about applying for doctoral studies a few times, but something always came up that prevented me from applying, says Jimena.
By the time she submitted her application, she had completed a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees, gained several years of work experience and also taken parental leave. What finally prompted her to apply was the announcement of a doctoral position in a research project that perfectly matched her interests and experience.
Henning, Klara and Markus all became aware of the opportunity to apply for doctoral studies during their years as students at Uppsala University. After completing internships and gaining some work experience at various state and municipal authorities, they all ended up back in Uppsala.
Markus explains:
– I applied for the first time right after completing my master's degree and was not accepted. I was advised to apply again. And I really want to pass this on: you haven't ‘missed your chance’ if you don't get in the first time. It often pays off to try again.
They also emphasise that it's a myth that you have to apply right after your master's degree. On the contrary, all four of them think it can be an advantage to have other work experience before starting a PhD programme – maybe to get an insight into how government agencies work in practice, or to have something to compare with when trying to figure out what you like and what actually suits you.
However, being a student is the work situation that most closely resembles doctoral life, according to Henning:
– It's how "being a student" should be. The first year of doctoral studies in Uppsala consists of full-time courses, and that's how courses should have been all along. Finally, there's time to talk to the teachers, get personal feedback and talk to other interested people. So yes, it's everything you've already been through – except that it works as it's supposed to, I would say.
– Well, I partly agree, adds Klara. But I think that the period after the first year resembles being a student writing your master's thesis. It's very special, because you have so much time and such a long deadline.
The second myth: ‘You will be alone’
Our discussion soon touches on what everyone describes as both the best and worst aspects of being a doctoral student: independence and freedom.
Working independently towards a long-term deadline, making important decisions about your thesis work and then receiving criticism for them at conferences and seminars is a central part of everyday life as a doctoral student. It can be tough for those who find it difficult to focus, push themselves forward or work independently. It may sound lonely. But doctoral life at the Department of Government in Uppsala is more social – and more supportive – than it is often portrayed. There is a lot of support available, both from supervisors and from the various structures within the department. The part-time seminars ("etapper" in Swedish) are presentations of the thesis work that take place after 50 and 80 per cent of the PhD project period, respectively, and serve as important milestones on the doctoral journey.
Getting used to receiving criticism of one's work (and not taking it personally), having a fixed-term contract, worrying about the future and making big decisions alone can be stressful for many. At the same time, everyone emphasises that the conditions for doctoral students in Sweden, and in Uppsala, are very good.
Klara Hvarfner
– The important thing to remember is that we actually have secure employment. We get paid – it's not like it used to be before, when you had to struggle through without pay, says Klara.
– Or as in many other countries, Henning adds.
Klara continues:
– Exactly. Here, you can also be ill, and that's perfectly okay. If you are on sick leave, you get your time back, which is fantastic. You can also be or become a parent during your doctoral studies. And you get a lot of support. If you're stressed, your supervisors are there to help you prioritise. It's a really supportive workplace where people are understanding and fair. So even if you're someone who gets stressed easily, I don't think you should be afraid of doing a PhD.
The third myth: ‘You must have a finalised dissertation topic’
A common myth about applying for doctoral studies is that the thesis topic must be completely finalised at the time of application. This is not the case at the Department of Government in Uppsala. None of the four doctoral students had a fully formulated topic when they began their studies.
Jimena, Markus and Klara are doctoral students affiliated with specific research projects. Since they applied for these projects precisely because they were in line with their areas of interest, they did not perceive the project boundaries as limiting – rather as a support in finding their own direction.
Henning is funded by faculty funds, which means that he does not have any specific project to relate to when choosing a thesis topic.
– It felt natural to me to continue developing what I wrote about in my master's thesis into a dissertation project, because it was fun and had obviously gone well, he says.
Staying in Uppsala, where he had also completed his master's degree, meant that he could continue working with a supervisor he already had an established relationship with – a supervisor who had also been involved in the thought process leading up to his master's thesis.
The fourth myth: ‘If you're smart, you have to get a PhD’
When I ask if they would recommend applying for doctoral studies, the answer is yes – but not to just anyone.
– I spoke to a friend who always heard, ‘You're smart, you should get a PhD,’ as if it were their destiny, says Jimena.
That's not true, the others agree. It's not about being ‘smart’.
– I think applicants should be curious. They should enjoy asking questions and seeking answers. It's an advantage if you have a certain amount of discipline and can motivate yourself to do things that are difficult... But I would say that as long as I have this interest, the motivation and curiosity are enough to make it worthwhile – even when it feels less fun. So maybe that's the question you should ask yourself: whether you're willing to do this, says Markus.
– I think you should appreciate nerdiness, you should think it's fun. And be creative. If you enjoyed writing your master's thesis, that's a good indicator, Klara adds.
Finally, we discuss how doctoral education is not only for those who see a future career in academia. Even if you do not want to become a professor of political science, doctoral education offers a unique opportunity to spend time thinking about something you find interesting, in an environment that is permeated by learning. It gives you the chance to develop your analytical and critical abilities, express yourself, present an argument and lead yourself – skills that will benefit you both in your professional life and on a personal level.
Karin Carlsson, December 2025
Portrait photos: Mikael Wallerstedt