All doctoral students at SLU receive some form of funding during their studies. The majority are funded through employment as a PhD student. This provides stable social and financial conditions throughout the study period. Others may have a different type of employment at SLU or a partner organisation, or may be funded by a scholarship. However, funding through employment does not always guarantee an even rate of study. Doctoral studies are tailored to the individual. Some doctoral students may progress faster, whereas others may need more time to meet their targets. As with undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the results are what count – not the workload.

For doctoral studies leading to the Degree of Doctor, the actual period of study is four years – the equivalent of 240 credits (2 years/120 credits for the Licentiate degree). The “actual period of study” is the time doctoral students spend on their thesis work and participating in doctoral courses. Elements not included in the doctoral studies but that are conducted in parallel will lead to an extension of calendar hours.

The conditions that apply to your studies vary depending on the type of funding you receive. Unlike other doctoral students, those employed by SLU (or other university or company) may have additional employee benefits such as access to occupational health services, whereas doctoral students funded by scholarships turn to the student health service. The Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet) offers compensation to doctoral students funded by scholarships if they become ill or take parental leave.

Every semester, SLU must report study activities and all funding forms for all doctoral students in the national student administration system: Ladok. It is the actual period of study that is registered, meaning Ladok will show how much of this period is remaining. On this page on the staff web, you can read more about the actual period of study and how it is registered.