About doctoral studies

Doctoral studies comprise 240 higher education credits and lead to the Degree of Doctor in Social Work. The duration of doctoral studies is four years (full-time study).

Study goals

• The goal of doctoral studies isto develop the knowledge and skills required to be able to independently conduct research in social work or perform other qualified professional work.
• As a doctoral student, you contribute to the development of knowledge in the subject area through the production of a scholarly thesis.
• An additional goal of our doctoral studies is that you should acquire a sound knowledge of how to plan and implement research projects. 

What you will learn

During your studies, you develop your communication and teaching skills, preparing you to express yourself well both in speech and writing, within and outside of academia. Our courses are also intended to develop your international contacts through, for example, participation in international research conferences or by attending a higher education institution abroad where applicable.

Application and admissions

Students are admitted to doctoral studies in Social Work every two years. Doctoral positions are advertised on the University’s portal for vacant positions. We do not accept applications via e-mail.

In individual cases we may advertise a doctoral position in collaboration with specific research projects or employer operating in the field of social work.

A drafting committee reads and assesses the applicants’ qualifications and submitted papers. The selection is made with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme. The search committee ranks and interviews potential candidates. The search committee’s suggestion is discussed with the supervisors’ committee, which consists of teachers and supervisors within the PhD Programme. The decision on admission is made by the Head of Department.

Decisions on admission to doctoral studies cannot be appealed.

Being a doctoral student

At present, the Department of Social Work has about 30 doctoral students. 

As a doctoral student, you also participate in the other activities of the Department. You can participate in the Department’s teaching and learning activities as a teacher in courses and study programs, as well as in a variety of forums for organizational development. At the Department of Social Work, there is a Doctoral Students’ Council that looks after current issues related to doctoral students. 

Employment at the university as a doctoral student

Being an employed doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg means that you receive a salary and are covered by the Swedish social security system. A doctoral student’s salary has its own set of contractual increases, which is referred to as the doktorandstegen (doctoral salary ladder). Once the doctoral student has completed 50 percent and 80 percent of their studies, respectively, by their study plan, their salary increases by the doctoral salary ladder that applies at the University of Gothenburg. 

As a doctoral student you are hired by the department and receive a monthly salary, in accordance with the Faculty of Social Sciences’ regulations regarding doctoral pay. Teaching at our bachelor or master programmes in social work is often part of the responsibilitie as well.

Swedish is the official working language 

It’s important to note that the official language at the department of social work is Swedish. And as such the vast majority of doctoral courses, work meetings, lectures and seminars are held entirely in Swedish.

Doctoral dissertations and courses

In consultation with the supervisors, you as a student choose whether you will write a monograph, which consists of one coherent text, or write a compilation thesis, consisting of several scholarly articles with a summarising introductory chapter. 

In addition to writing a thesis, you vill also study courses with other doctoral students in the department. At the moment the department does not offer doctoral courses in English, but English-speaking doctoral students can try courses offered at other departments and universities, as well as universities abroad. 

Doctoral seminars – the heart of Doctoral studies

As a doctoral student, you broaden your knowledge by participating in various forms of seminars. Your thesis project will also be discussed at three seminars during your studies. The purpose of these seminars is to get support in your work process from colleagues in the Department. As a doctoral student at the Department of Social Work, you also have the opportunity to participate in the Department’s research networks and national and international conferences.