Doctoral level studies in Public Health Sciences
Our third-cycle 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.
The study programme
Doctoral studies in Public Health Sciences are structured so that they involve four years of full-time study, and amount to 240 higher education credits. One semester of full-time study is equivalent to 30 higher education credits.
The doctoral study programme consists of courses equivalent to 75 higher education credits and of these a minimum of 22.5 higher education credits must be method courses. The doctoral thesis corresponds to 165 higher education credits.
Admission to doctoral studies
Criteria for entry
The general requirements according to the Higher Education Ordinance are:
- a university degree at advanced level, or
- 240 hp (ECTS) 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:
- a minimum of 7.5 credits in quantitative or qualitative methods of relevance to Public Health Sciences (graduate level), or in any other acquired the equivalent knowledge
- good knowledge and skills in the English language, spoken as well as written.
When and where to apply?
Opportunity to apply for doctoral studies in Public Health Sciences are given twice a year, resources permitting. The application deadline is 15 March and 15 October, and vacancies are announced one month in advance of the application deadline.
Vacancies
Please see the Stockholm University's webpage for Vacant PhD Student Positions.
Doctoral level courses
Courses at the doctoral level includes 75 credits for a doctoral degree and 45 credits for a licentiate degree. At least 22.5 credits for a doctoral degree and at least 12 ECTS for a licentiate degree, should be method courses.
The doctoral level courses at our department are open for applicants from other departments or universities. Please check the information for the different courses on how to apply.
Doctoral level courses Autumn term
Introduction to Public Health Sciences: A brief overview (PH018F1)
Theory of knowledge and ethics in Public Health Sciences (PH020F1)
Research and theoretical and analytical perspectives in Public Health Sciences (PH019F1)
Alcohol- and drug research from a social science perspective (PH005F1)
Health and policy in the welfare state (PH008F1)
Stress, recovery, and health (PH009F1)
Social inequalities in health (PH004F1)
Global health in a changing world (PH010F1)
Embodiment of the social world (PH012F1)
Doctoral level courses Spring term
Management and description of quantitative data (PH014F1)
Basic statistical analysis (PH015F1)
Statistical data modelling (PH016F1)
Data analysis for the social sciences in R (PH003F1)
Early life conditions, health development, and child public health (PH006F1)
General Syllabus
The General Syllabus for Doctoral Studies in Public Health Sciences was decided on by the Board of Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University on June 12, 2013, and revised on December 16, 2022.
The current syllabus is valid from January 1, 2023.
General Syllabus, valid from January 1, 2023
Rules and Regulations
The President of Stockholm University has decided on rules and regulations for third-cycle education. This document sets out the rules and regulations that apply nationally as well as establishes the rules that apply locally.
Rules and regulations for third-cycle education at Stockholm University
Contact
Education Administrator, Doctoral level
Director of Studies
Last updated: May 9, 2025
Source: Public Health Scicences
