The doctoral program at the Department of Sociology, Uppsala University

A brief introduction

The program of post-graduate studies in sociology includes two consecutive levels, leading to the degrees of Filosofie licentiat and Filosofie doktor (PhD), respectively. The duration of studies leading to the highest degree (PhD) is normally four years. (The normal four-year period may be extended if a certain amount of time is spent in, for example, the teaching of undergraduate courses).

The program is organized around two main parts.

•The first part (75 credits or eighteen months of full-time studies) consists of courses (see below), including a pre-thesis paper.
•The second part consists of work on a thesis for obtaining the degree of Filosofie doktor (additional 165 credits). There is also a possibility to obtain the degree of Filosofie licentiat (60+60 credits). Theses must be written in either Swedish, English, German or French, and must be publicly defended before a dissertation committee which evaluates both the thesis and the defense.
Almost all courses and seminars are in Swedish. There are no special courses for foreign students. Swedish language courses for foreigners are offered at special institutes. Although highly recommended, knowledge of the Swedish language is not required. Most texts used in the courses are in English. Alternative literature in English, German or French is available in most subjects when the standard literature is in Swedish. English can be used in oral examinations and examination papers.

Application and admission

Admission to the program of post-graduate studies takes place once a year. Normally, there are many students applying to our programme, but only a few are admitted. For information about application and admission se further How to apply.

Courses

Pre-dissertation work within the doctoral program totals 75 credits, including lecture courses, seminar series, reading courses as well as work on the dissertation proposal. Usually, though not necessarily, each subject amounts to 7,5 credits, which corresponds to about 1,000 pages of compulsory literature. Examination may be oral but a course paper is often required. Pre-dissertation work is organized as follows:
•Compulsory courses: Dissertation seminar (15 credits), Method (7,5 credits), Theory of Science/Sociology of Knowledge (7,5 credits),Research policies: Development, power structures and financing possibilities (7,5 credits). The programme starts with the Dissertation seminar course. In this course a number of doctoral theses are discussed and critically examined at seminars. The second part of the course consists of developing an individual dissertation proposal. The proposal is presented and discussed at seminars.
•Seminars: It is compulsory to actively attend seminars during the education (7,5 credits).
•Other courses: Subjects are often, though not necessarily, studied as individual reading courses or as reading courses within one of the departments special seminars. After approval from the Handledarkollegium (The Board of Supervisors) graduate courses at other universities both in Sweden and abroad may be taken as alternatives to the courses offered at the Department.

Filosofie licentiat (Fil.lic.)

In addition to 60 credits including the compulsory courses an examination paper (60 credits) is required for obtaining the degree of Filosofie licentiat.

Filosofie doktor (PhD)

To obtain the degree of Filosofie doktor, a doctoral dissertation (165 credits) must be submitted. The thesis may take one of two alternative forms, namely (a) a monograph, or (b) a collection of articles, related to one single area of research. In both cases, the dissertation is published and judged in terms of its original contribution to the advancement of sociological theory and methodology. The thesis must be publicly defended before a dissertation committee and must be written in either Swedish, English, German or French.

Additional information

For additional information about the doctoral program, please address all communications to:
Expeditionen
Department of Sociology
Uppsala University
Box 624
SE-751 26 Uppsala
Sweden
Telephone: +46 18 471 11 84
Fax: +46 18 471 11 70