Information and FAQ

Information to potential applicants to the PhD program in psychology at Stockholm University.

The third education cycle includes a PhD programme of 240 higher-education credits (henceforth only "credits") and a half-time Licentiate programme of 120 credits. The overall objective of the PhD programme is to develop the knowledge and proficiency that is required to be able to independently conduct psychological research that will contribute to the scientific advancement of psychology. This is demonstrated by completing an original scientific dissertation.

General Syllabus for Doctoral Studies in Psychology, 240 credits

The purpose of the education is for the student to acquire knowledge about planning, leading, and implementing a research project. The education should allow for possibilities of meeting the international scientific community; for example, by attending scientific conferences and studying abroad. The student should also develop communicative and pedagogical skills in order to be able to express oneself orally and in writing within and outside the academic community.

 

When and how do you apply?

Deadlines for application occur at least annually, in the spring semester with application deadline 1 April, but may also occur in the fall semester with application deadline 1 November. Application is done via the University’s recruitment system ReachMee and vacant PhD positions are announced / advertised at least one month before the application deadline.

More information about the application and what it should contain

 

In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree (i.e., at least a one-year Master degree), completed courses equivalent to at least 240 credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of psychology stipulates that applicants must have completed at least 90 first-cycle or second-cycle credits in psychology, have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere. Those studies should include a thesis corresponding to a minimum of 15 credits.

 

Frequently asked questions

Just a couple of questions that often needs to be answered.

Yes, but the external supervisor (not employed at Stockholm University) cannot be the main supervisor, but can, however, be a secondary supervisor. External supervisors are not paid for their supervision. Please note that the supervisor must be either an Associate or a Full Professor.

  1. All applications are first scrutinized by a committee of at least two supervisors, who read and rank the applications.
  2. Then, at the research faculty meeting, the applications are considered. This is based on the applicants' suitability for the PhD education.
  3. The applicants who are accepted into the program are guaranteed a doctorate student employment (if this claim has been made in the application form). If granted a doctorate student position, the PhD student must maintain a normal study pace, completing at least 60 credits each year given full time studies.
 

A Beginner's Guide to Swedish Academia

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Published by the Young Academy of Sweden 2022. © Some rights reserved. Usage and distribution of this work is defined in the Creative Commons License, Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Sweden (CC BY-NC-ND 2.5 SE). To view a copy of this licence, visit: www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/se/deed.en

 

Contact

Student Office - PhD level
Head of PhD Studies

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