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Become a researcher

Are you a curious person who is driven by learning and knowing more? Do you thrive in the academic environment? Postgraduate education is a unique opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge and to understand a subject in depth.

The Phonetics laboratory at the Department of Linguistics. Photo: Johnér bildbyrå


At the Department of Linguistics, we organize postgraduate education in the main field of linguistics. Our doctoral students have an educational background in linguistics, sign language, speech therapy, or the equivalent.

A postgraduate education normally comprises four years of full-time study. The education includes a research assignment that will result in a scientific dissertation that presents the research area and the results of the assignment. A dissertation can be presented in the form of a monograph or in the form of a compilation thesis. 

Doctoral students also takes a number of courses at the doctoral or advanced level. The doctoral student and supervisor decide together which courses are to be included in the education.

PhD defence

The third-cycle study programs end with a dissertation defence in which the doctoral student submits their dissertation for review. An opponent reviews the dissertation, and a grading committee consisting of at least three people grades and approves the dissertation.

It is the supervisory board at the Department of Linguistics that decides whether or not a doctoral student is recommended to submit their dissertation.

Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree is obtained after completing the third-cycle studies. This is the highest academic degree in Sweden. There is also a two-year third-cycle program that ends with a licentiate degree.

PhD studies at Stockholm University

The general entrance requirement is a Degree of Master of Arts (120 credits). In addition, the applicant must meet the other requirements specified in the announcement of the available position.

According to Swedish national regulations, enrolment in a Ph.D. program presupposes that the financing is settled for the whole period of study (4 years). This means in practice that an admission to the Ph.D. program virtually always presupposes a job (a Ph.D. position for 4 years).

Available Ph.D. positions are always posted at the Stockholm University website and there is no way to a Ph.D. position other than applying for an open position that is posted there and by following the instructions given there.

No distinction is made between national and international applications.

PhD Student Positions at Stockholm University

Work with us (Department of Linguistics)

General Study Plan for Doctoral Studies in Linguistics pdf, 204.8 kB. (204 Kb)

Conditions and resources for students in the Doctoral Programme at the Department of Linguistics pdf, 207.1 kB. (207 Kb)

Please note that all vacant doctoral positions are advertised on our website and we cannot accept unsolicited applications.

Contact

If you have questions about PhD studies at the Department of Linguistics, you can turn to our Director of Studies.

Please note that all vacant doctoral positions are advertised on our website and we cannot accept unsolicited applications.

Director of Studies, PhD level

Bernhard Wälchli

studierektorfu@ling.su.se
08162344

Visiting addressC363

Visiting hoursReception by appointment

Last updated: 2025-11-26

Source: Department of Linguistics