PhD Studies

The aim of the doctoral programme in political science is to give the student specialised knowledge within the subject field, a thorough training in research methods and a good understanding of the problems occurring in the research and the practical application.

The programme should familiarise the student with different structures of society and ideas, and give a broad orientation of the research development within the subject, with the purpose of making the student a critical and independent researcher with the ability to plan and develop scientific reports. Furthermore, the aim of the program is to make the student suited, in the capacity of a researcher, teacher and expert, to complete such tasks in society where sound knowledge of political science is of value.

The Swedish doctoral programme, similar to the US Ph.D. system, is designed to take four years of full-time study. In terms of the Swedish university credit system, the program comprises 240 credits (1.5 credit = 1 week of study, 30 credits = 1 term of full-time study).

There are two main blocs in the programme: course work (75 credits, of which some courses are obligatory and some are selected in consultation with the supervisor) and work in connection with the Ph.D. dissertation, including research, writing and seminars (165 credits). The dissertation is either a mongraph or a compilation thesis.

Please find more information about the programme under Rules and regulations.

Language of instruction

The courses and seminars within the doctoral programme at the Department of Political Science are generally given in Swedish and/or English. Even though proficiency in Swedish is not a formal requirement for admission, it is very helpful for effective participation in the courses.

Application

When there are open PhD positions at the Department of Political Science you will be able to find them at the univeristy's portal for available jobs.

Available jobs (incl. doctoral positions) at Stockholm University

Eligibility

In order to be admitted to the PhD program in Political Science the applicant must meet the general and specific entry requirements.

To meet the general entry requirements the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in Political Science and specify that the applicant must have:

• completed higher education equivalent to 150 Swedish university credits, including studies at the advanced level (master’s level) of at least 60 Swedish university credits in the political science subject, or the equivalent education
• a completed written academic, independent work with a least the grade ’pass’, equivalent to at least 15 Swedish university credits in political science
• completed additional 90 Swedish university credits, or the equivalent, of higher education in subjects relevant to the graduate programme, and
• proficiency in English corresponding to at least 550 credits on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

All Ph.D. students are entitled to 48 months of research training funding within the programme. You often extend the time by also teaching from the beginning of semester 3 (at a maximum of 20% of full-time). The first 6-12 months are funded by a scholarship. The scholarship salary (tax-free) corresponds to the entrance salary for doctoral students after tax that applies at the time of the application for the scholarship fund (April 15). If you want to know more about the scholarship, contact the director of studies for postgraduate education or administrative manager at the Department of Political Science.