Our Doctoral Programmes
The doctoral programmes in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Archaeology, and History aim to provide theoretical, methodological, and subject-specific knowledge so that, after completing the programme, the student will be able to independently conduct scholarly historical research and make qualified contributions in various areas of professional life, such as the education sector, public administration, the cultural sector, mass media, and publishing.
Diverse research environment
The Department of Historical Studies offers a vibrant and diverse research environment.
The doctoral programme lasts four years and comprises 240 credits. The programme largely consists of independent research, the results of which are presented in a publicly defended doctoral thesis. In addition to the thesis project, the programme also includes courses. Some courses are required, while others are elective.
Doctoral students receive a salary according to the established pay scale at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Gothenburg, throughout the duration of the programme.
Subject Seminars
The seminars form the backbone of both the overall research environment and the doctoral programme. Each of the Department’s three subjects has its own seminars, where doctoral students regularly present their ongoing thesis work, discuss scholarly questions, and meet inspiring guest lecturers.
Research Seminar
In the research seminar, researchers and doctoral students from all three subjects at the Department meet to discuss issues of shared interest. In addition, interdisciplinary seminars are organised in gender history, medieval studies, naval history, and other subject areas. Some of the Department’s research projects have specialised seminars devoted to their respective themes, such as early modern cities and the Bronze Age. The Department participates in seminar exchanges with several universities and is also a partner in the Graduate School in History. The latter enables the Department to offer doctoral students a varied and extensive range of courses in addition to its own. Furthermore, there are courses and seminars at the Faculty level.
Application to the Doctoral Programme
Those interested in undertaking doctoral studies in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Archaeology or History must apply in response to specific calls for applications.
Calls for doctoral positions are usually announced in January or February and are published on the Department’s website.
To be admitted as a doctoral student in one of the Department’s three subjects, applicants must hold a master’s degree with the relevant subject as the main subject area and must also meet the specific eligibility criteria. Further information on eligibility criteria and the content of the programme can be found in the general study plans. In the Department’s admissions process, the applicant’s ability to benefit from doctoral education is assessed. The assessment is based on the applicants’ prior research theses, as well as their proposal for the thesis project. Consideration is also given to the supervisory resources available at the department.
Supervisors
A principal supervisor and an assistant supervisor are appointed before the start of the studies. Who your supervisor will be depends, among other things, on the nature of the thesis topic and the supervisors’ workload. It should be emphasised that the Department cannot provide effective supervision in all possible research areas.
