PhD studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences

PhD studies will not only make you a leading expert in a particular field, but you will also learn to plan, think critically and take responsibility. You will acquire the breadth of knowledge and the skills that go with the subject in general. PhD studies involve working on a research project independently under supervision. You will both use and improve your practical and theoretical skills.

The aim of our programme of PhD studies is to make you an independent researcher who is good at imparting knowledge. You will be ready for complex and advanced work within trade and industry, the public sector, colleges and universities.

What does a PhD degree comprise?

A PhD degree comprises four years of full-time study; however, after two years students can graduate with a licentiate degree.

A principal supervisor and at least one deputy supervisor are appointed for each PhD student or licentiate student. The programme of studies is planned and executed in close consultation with the supervisors. You will spend most of your period of full-time studies working on your research project, which you will later account for in the doctoral or licentiate thesis. There are also a number of courses included in the programme, according to the subject-specific plan for each third-cycle subject.

When you are admitted as a PhD student, an individual study plan will be prepared for you. The individual study plan will among other things specify how the entire period of study will be funded, as well as any sources of funding and the plans for the PhD studentship.

The PhD studentship’s conditions of employment depend on what funding you have.

Your degree

PhD studies lead to the degree of doctor of philosophy (PhD) or licentiate of philosophy. If you have taken the licentiate degree, you may apply to continue studying for the PhD degree. The PhD degree may be taken without first taking the licentiate degree.

The award of a licentiate degree requires at least 120 ECTS credits, which includes an approved scholarly work of at least 60 ECTS credits. The award of a PhD degree requires at least 240 ECTS credits, including an approved doctoral thesis of at least 120 ECTS credits.

After your degree

As a PhD or licentiate, you will be expected to be capable of independent and critical thinking, possess a good knowledge of your subject, have methodological academic skills, the ability to identify interesting and researchable issues, educational skills and the ability to express yourself well in both speech and writing. These are sought-after skills in many occupations.

Most students who complete their PhD degree at Uppsala continue to work in the world of education as researchers or teachers. Other possible career paths are within museums, archives, libraries, mass media, publishing or other undertakings and organisations.

Postdoctoral employment

After you have completed your PhD, the University can choose to employ you as a postdoc for a maximum of two years, with the option of an extension if there are special reasons. This scheme is governed by an agreement between the Swedish Agency for Government Employers and the relevant professional associations.