Postgraduate education

The subject social work and its research pertains mainly to social issues and vulnerability, their origins, and different approaches to remedy, ease or prevent them. The purpose of postgraduate education is to deepen the student’s knowledge and understanding of the subject and to enable development of scientific independence and critical thinking. Postgraduate education in social work at Uppsala University consists of courses totalling 75 ECTS credits, and the thesis work corresponds to 165 ECTS credits. Learning objectives for doctoral and licentiate degrees are stated in the general study plan for postgraduate studies in social work. The department of social work is bound to the national research school in social work, which, among other things, offers opportunities for participation in courses and other activities at universities around the country.

A doctoral student is normally employed to conduct research studies full-time, and as a doctoral student you will typically work on three different tasks: writing a doctoral thesis, participating in institutional service in the form of teaching, and education in the form of participation in doctoral courses. The department of social work currently only runs a small number of doctoral courses under its own auspices, and the doctoral student is therefore encouraged to study courses at other departments and/or universities.

The work on the thesis is carried out in the active research environment found at the department of social work, where research is conducted in several areas. Most of the department’s researchers and doctoral students are linked to one of the department’s research groups.

The admission of doctoral students occurs every two years. The next admission round is being planned for the autumn of 2026. During intermediate periods, individual doctoral students may be accepted within the framework of externally funded projects, when special . In connection with the announcement of doctoral positions, there is detailed information in the announcement about what needs to be in the application, as well as contact details if you have questions. The application is made via the university’s system for vacant positions.