General information

Those admitted to the doctoral programme are employed as doctoral students by the department. Doctoral education is regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance, the University of Gothenburg’s doctoral student regulations, the Faculty of Social Sciences’ implementation decisions, and the general syllabus.

Doctoral studentship

Doctoral students are normally employed for four years. Up to 20 per cent of the position may consist of departmental duties, such as teaching or administrative work. When departmental duties are included, the employment period is extended accordingly, up to a maximum of five years.

A doctoral studentship is a public-sector position with the terms and benefits associated with employment at the University of Gothenburg. Doctoral students are covered by the university’s regulations concerning working hours, annual leave, parental leave, and work environment.

Supervision

Each doctoral student is assigned a principal supervisor and an assistant supervisor. The supervisors support the doctoral student throughout the programme. The selection of supervisors takes place in dialogue between the doctoral student and the Director of Doctoral Studies.

Prospective applicants do not need to contact a potential supervisor before applying to the doctoral programme.

The dissertation

A doctoral dissertation may take the form of either a compilation thesis – consisting of several scholarly articles together with an introductory chapter – or a monograph, that is, a coherent book-length study.

Doctoral students present parts of their dissertation work on several occasions during the programme. The completed dissertation is defended at a public doctoral defence.

International networks

Doctoral education provides excellent opportunities to establish international contacts. Doctoral students may, for example, participate in research conferences, engage in international research environments, and spend time at a foreign university.

Future career opportunities

A doctoral degree in Political Science opens up career opportunities both within and outside academia. Many of our graduates go on to careers in research and teaching, while others pursue qualified positions in areas such as the public sector, international organisations, politics, policy analysis, and the private sector.