General information, eligibility and admission

General information

Upon completion of the programme, you are expected to have acquired the knowledge and skills required to independently conduct research, contribute to the development of knowledge in the field, and perform other qualified tasks in the public and private sectors.

Typically, around ten doctoral students are enrolled in the department at any given time. The programme has a clear international profile, with doctoral students from several different countries.

The doctoral programme is characterized by a broad agenda with a strong social science orientation and a clear empirical focus. Doctoral students at the department usually conduct research related to one of the department’s five research areas.

Researchers at JMG are internationally established and work from a variety of theoretical perspectives. They have extensive experience and expertise in historical media studies, large-scale survey research, experimental studies, ethnographic research, automated content analysis, discourse analysis, and studies of text and spoken communication. This enables the department to offer qualified supervision across a wide range of areas.

Employment

As a doctoral student, you will have a fixed-time employment that has a full-time equivalent of four years. During this time, you must write your thesis and complete all your compulsory and optional courses.

Upon admission, you will receive a work place at the department. You will also be given access to a computer, email address, postbox and telephone.

Doctoral students are generally expected to work at an FTE rate of 100%, although it is possible to work at a different rate. As a doctoral student, your salary is set according to the University of Gothenburg’s salary scale, and this is non-negotiable. Your salary will be automatically increased to the next level when you complete different tasks.

Doctoral students have the opportunity to perform departmental duties, which could entail tuition, work on a project or administrative duties. The scope can vary, but departmental duties can constitute a maximum of 20% of your study time.  Conducting tuition and working on projects are merit worthy, and the department strives to ensure that all doctoral students have the opportunity to conduct tuition, even if there are variations in the opportunities to do so.

Your doctoral study time will be extended if you have a rate of study that is not 100%, if you perform departmental duties, if you are on leave of absence, or if there are any special reasons. According to the Higher Education Ordinance, (Högskoleförordningen) such special reasons include illness, parental leave, leave for the performance of military service, or for the performance of positions of trust – for example, in committees at departmental or another level within GU, in trade union organisations or in student organisations.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the doctoral programme at JMG, you must hold at least a Master’s degree in Journalism or in Media and Communication Studies. You may also hold a Master’s degree in another subject. In both cases, your degree must comprise at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at the advanced level.

If your degree is in another subject, your Master’s thesis must have a clear focus on journalism, media and communication. You may also apply if you have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way, either in Sweden or abroad.

You must have sufficient proficiency in English to be able to engage with research literature, complete courses, and actively participate in seminars and international conferences.

Admission

For us to assess your qualifications, you need to submit the following documents with your application:

• A CV with certified copies of degree certificates, academic transcripts, and other relevant documents
• A personal statement describing your background, your interest in the field, and why you wish to pursue doctoral studies at JMG. If you lack a relevant degree but have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way, you must explain in your personal statement how your qualifications correspond to a degree
• Your Master’s thesis
• A research proposal outlining your planned research. The proposal should describe the research problem, research questions, theoretical framework, and the methods you intend to use
• Other scientific publications (articles in academic journals, reports, etc.), if applicable
• Two letters of recommendation or contact details for two referees

Accepted languages for all application materials are Swedish and English, or translations into these languages. If you submit translated documents, you must also include the originals.

In the admission process, we primarily assess your ability to complete the programme. Particular weight is given to the Master’s thesis and the quality of the research proposal. We also place strong emphasis on whether the proposal aligns with one of the department’s research groups and whether we can offer qualified supervision. Other academic merits are also taken into account.

All applicants are evaluated by an admissions committee, but the final decision is made by the Head of Department. This decision cannot be appealed.