Doctoral level education in Public Health Sciences
Our doctoral level education emphasises perspectives that shed light on how inequalities in health arise; how different life conditions and opportunities influence the health of individuals throughout their lives; and how structural factors, individual actions and biopsychological mechanisms jointly affect these processes. Public health policy and practice is also studied.
Doctoral programme
The doctoral programme in Public Health Sciences consists of four years full-time studies. This equals 240 higher education credits, 30 credits per semester.
The 240 credits consist of 60 credits course work, of which a minimum of 15 credits must be method courses, and 180 credits thesis work.
Admission
The general entry requirements according to the Higher Education Ordinance are:
- a university degree at advanced level, or
- 240 higher education credits, of which a minimum of 60 credits must be at advanced level, or
- the equivalent
and the specific entry requirements for Public Health Sciences are:
- completed coursework of at least 7.5 credits on advanced level in quantitative or qualitative methods relevant to Public Health Sciences
- good oral and written skills in English
Application
Opportunities to apply to the doctoral programme in Public Health Sciences are given twice a year, resources permitting. From February 15 - March 15 and from September 15 - October 15. Available doctoral student positions are announced on the university’s website:
Available jobs at Stockholm University
General syllabus
The general syllabus for doctoral studies in Public Health Sciences is decided by the Faculty of Social Sciences. The document is available in both English and Swedish.
General syllabus, valid from May 28, 2026 (English) pdf, 171.9 kB.
Allmän studieplan, giltig fr.o.m. 28 maj 2026 (svenska) pdf, 271.7 kB.
Admission regulations
The admission regulations for doctoral education is decided by the University Board and sets out the rules for application, eligibility, entry requirements, selection, admission, how decisions are made and how an appeal of a decision can be made. The document is available in both English and Swedish.
Admission regulations for third-cycle study programmes, valid from January 1, 2021 (English)
Antagningsordning för utbildning på forskarnivå, giltig fr.o.m. 1 januari 2021 (svenska)
Regulations for third-cycle education
The regulations for third-cycle education is decided by the President of Stockholm University and sets out the rules for doctoral level education. The document is available in both English and Swedish.
Regulations for third-cycle education, valid from September 14, 2023 (English) pdf, 458 kB.
Free-standing doctoral courses
Our free-standing doctoral courses are specialized, independent courses offered to students enrolled in a doctoral programme at either Stockholm University or another institution.
To apply for a course, please send an email to our study administrator at phd.admin.publichealth@su.se .
The application deadline for all courses is three months prior to course start.
Please visit the specific course site for further information.
Spring semester
Early life conditions, health development, and child public health (PH006F1)
Person-oriented methods (PH021F1)
Fall semester
Data analysis for the social sciences in R (PH003F1)
Embodiment of the social world (PH012F1) - Not planned for Autumn 2026
Global health in a changing world (PH010F1)
Health and policy in the welfare state (PH008F1)
Introduction to Public Health Sciences: A brief overview (PH018F1)
Research and theoretical and analytical perspectives in Public Health Sciences (PH019F1)
Social inequalities in health (PH004F1)
Stress, recovery, and health (PH009F1)
Theory of knowledge and ethics in Public Health Sciences (PH020F1)
Studying with a disability
If you have a long-term disability, you can apply for disability study support during your studies. The aim is to give you the opportunity to study on equal terms.
Contact
Last updated: 2026-09-07
Source: Public Health Scicences