The course builds in large part on participants own experiences and is aimed at you with at least some experience of supervising a doctoral student.

Course content and structure

During the course, participants are given the opportunity to reflect on what one does as a supervisor and discuss various ways to improve the supervision in order to facilitate doctoral students’ learning and development. Through discussions with colleagues from different academic subjects and disciplines, the course offers insights into disciplinary and local traditions. The course offer lectures and seminars during which various aspects of doctoral supervision is highlighted. Practical exercises and case seminars are also included in the course. Course literature, and course participants own experiences of supervising doctoral students provide the point of departure for discussions and reflections during the course.

Topics will include

• the supervisor role and responsibilities
• rules and regulations regarding doctoral education at Stockholm University
• facilitating doctoral students’ learning and development
• feedback as a tool in supervision
• ethics, gender and equality in supervision

The course involves four full-days seminars where participants from different faculties and disciplines meet to critically reflect on and discuss aspects of interest for doctoral supervision at Stockholm University. Course participants are expected to prepare each course day by reading course literature and write course assignments. The course corresponds to two weeks full time studies, equivalent to 3 credits.

Admisson

The course is for supervisors with at least some experience of supervising a doctoral student. Participants must have doctoral degree (or equivalent) and be employed at Stockholm University or another university or university college. Applicants employed at Stockholm University who are supervising doctoral students will be given priority.

After accepting your place on the course your application to the course is binding. In case of cancellation after this point your department will be debited a cancellation fee of 3 000 SEK. By signing up you confirm that your registration is approved by the Head of (your) Department or equivalent.

Selection process

If there are more applicants than available places in the course we will make a prioritization of the applications. It is therefore of the outmost importance that you fill in your application form as completely as possible.

In the selection we take into consideration the following criteria:

• applicants with experience in research supervision 
• applicants who will be supervising doctoral students parallel to the course

In the selection process the main criterion of admission is the date of application. We also prioritize applicants who have previously applied for this course but did not get a place. We also take into consideration that participants are evenly distributed regarding faculties, gender and experience in research supervision.

Application 

Application period for spring 2026 is October 15 to November 15. Notification of admission is given during week 48. Applications submitted after November 15 will only be considered in the case of vacancies on the course.

This course is intended for, and offered free of charge to, employees or affiliates of Stockholm University. After submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. After the application period has ended, you will be notified via the booking system regarding whether you have been granted a place. Please note that your registration is binding. If you withdraw less than four weeks before the course start date, your department will be debited a cancellation fee of 3 000 SEK. By registering, you confirm that your participation has been approved by your Head of Department or equivalent.

Apply for the course via our course portal

Access to our course portal is restricted to users with a Stockholm University (SU) account

We also welcome applicants from other universities and higher education institutions, subject to availability and upon payment of a course fee. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. We will then contact you if a place is available.

Application for external applicants