What is doctoral education?

Last changed: 25 September 2024

Doctoral studies at SLU train students to become skilled independent researchers.

It is an education with courses and various other educational activities, but most of the time is devoted to research work.

The doctoral student runs a project with the help of two or more supervisors. Initially, the doctoral student is dependent on the supervisors, but as the project progresses the doctoral student becomes the driving force behind the project and the supervisors are given the role of adviser.

Within the project, the doctoral student will

  • find the latest research results,
  • contact others who work in the field,
  • plan trials and set-ups,
  • apply for funding and make budget plans,
  • write reports and articles,
  • collaborate with various groups and/or individuals.

During the experiments, the doctoral student usually acts as team leader for technical staff. The training of pedagogical skills through teaching and presentations of research, both for other researchers at national and international conferences and for non-academics, is an important part of the education.

If you would like to read more about doctoral education at SLU, please visit the staff webb pages. 

You can also read more about doctoral education in Sweden in the handbook compiled by Sweden's united student unions doctoral committee.

 

PhD student councils monitor the doctoral education

SLU has four doctoral student councils under the auspices of the student unions. The student unions are linked to the faculties where current doctoral students monitor the doctoral education and the situation of the doctoral students at SLU. In addition, there is Sluss-DN, a joint council that coordinates doctoral education issues between the student unions, Sluss and the doctoral ombudsman.

Read more about Sluss-DN and the doctoral student councils at SLU.

How long does it take to finish a doctoral education?

Doctoral education normally comprises four years of full-time studies. However, it is quite common for doctoral students to teach at undergraduate level or have other duties at the department in parallel with the education. This means that it may take five years to complete the education.

Forskarutbildningsämnen

As a doctoral student, you will be admitted to a doctoral education subject. Each subject is regulated in a general study plan.

SLU has four faculties and each faculty has its specific subjects. All subjects are described on SLU's staff website: "Current doctoral education subjects and general study plans".

Doctoral education is an individual ecucation

Doctoral education is independent and flexible. Your own responsibility is significant. Together with your supervisors you create an individual study plan at the start of the training. The plan specifies the work, and contains a time and financing plan.

Licentiate degree

You may also choose a doctoral education of two years, and this will lead to a licentiate degree. 

Employment as doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are usually employed by the university as a doctoral student, and receive a fixed monthly salary. Other forms of employment may also exist. It goes for example to combine the education with other employment at or outside the university.

Finishing the education

The examination is both written (the thesis) and oral (the public defence). The thesis is reviewed by an examining committee, which is also involved in the public defence. It is a public seminar, when an external reviewer discusses the dissertation content with you. When all the parts are approved, you will receive your doctoral degree and the title doctor.

The thesis

The research work carried out during the education is published in different ways and collected in a thesis. The thesis is the written examination that will show that the prospective doctor can present the thesis work in a scientific way and that the education outcomes have been achieved.

The public defence

The thesis is presented and defended at a public defence. This is an open seminar where an external reviewer, appointed by the faculty, discusses and questions the content of the thesis. The purpose is that the respondent, the prospective doctor, will use scientific competence to discuss and answer the questions. An examining committee observes and participates in the discussion. It is the examining committee that afterwards decides whether the respondent's thesis and public defense have shown that the degree outcomes have been achieved.

Degrees

Once all courses, the thesis and the public defense have been approved, the university will issue a doctoral degree in the doctoral education subject that the student was admitted to. Depending on your undergraduate degree, you become:

  • Degree of Doctor in Agriculture
  • Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
  • Degree of Doctor of Forestry
  • Degree of Doctor in Technology
  • Degree of Doctor in Veterinary Medicine

Contact

Directors of studies at the LTV Faculty:

Helene Larsson Jönsson, Alnarp. Phone: 040-415370. 
Åsa Klintborg Ahlklo, Alnarp. Phone: 040-415421.

Directors of studies at the NJ Faculty:

Elisabet Lewan, Uppsala, Phone: 018-67 26 29.
Robert Glinwood, Uppsala, Phone: 018-67 23 42.

 

Vice dean for doctoral studies at the S Faculty:

Göran Spong, Umeå. Phone: 0730-350641

Director of studies at the VH Faculty:

Carl-Gustaf Thulin, Uppsala. Phone: 0705-64 53 58

 

For general information on doctoral studies at SLU:

Lotta Jäderlund or Eva Stening