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Cities and universities offering Ph.D. in Sweden
Thirty-eight universities use government funding, and few of these higher education institutions are privately funded in Sweden. The courses are based on a triple cycle shared with the wider European region in the higher education discussion. The Ph.D. course is the third stage of this triple cycle after the bachelor’s degree (first cycle) and master’s degree (second cycle). Centers and institutions providing higher education in Sweden are divided into two categories of Universities and colleges (technical colleges). Universities are large educational institutions that will give a university degree in many subjects to the students. These centers conduct basic research besides university teaching. Therefore, they can support their research projects besides teaching Ph.D. students. However, colleges or technical and vocational colleges often focus on applied sciences and related subjects. In most cases, these centers do not award Ph.D. degrees. However, the students can obtain Ph.D. in some specific fields. The distinction between the two centers is not always recognizable from the institution’s name. However, studying in colleges is as difficult and prestigious as studying for a Ph.D. in universities.
| University | THE 2020 | QS 2020 | ARWU 2019 |
| Karolinska Institute | 41 | – | 38 |
| Lund University | =96 | 92 | 101-150 |
| Uppsala University | =102 | =116 | 62 |
| Stockholm University | =175 | 191 | 73 |
| University of Gothenburg | =186 | 256 | 151-200 |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | 201-250 | =98 | 201-300 |
| Chalmers University of Technology | 251-300 | =125 | 301-400 |
| Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | 301-350 | – | 301-400 |
| Umeå University | 301-350 | – | – |
Ten Swedish universities, out of 38, are in the top 400 according to global rankings. The Ph.D. applicants in Sweden can benefit from various cities with advanced modern life facilities and easy access to the Scandinavian countries. Some of the most popular universities in Sweden are:
- Gutenberg
- Stockholm
- Lund
- Uppsala
- Umea
Ph.D. structure in Sweden
Ph.D. studies are the highest level of academic achievement. The Ph.D. focuses on your independent research and the presentation of a dissertation that explores new ideas and innovations in your study field. The applicants can study for a Ph.D. in Sweden in one of these ways:
- A standard Ph.D. requires at least four years of full-time work, and you will receive a full Ph.D. at the end. (Equivalent to 240 ECTS)
- On the other hand, you can study for a degree or a short-term certificate. In this method, you need two years of full-time work and a brief dissertation, and your degree is equivalent to 120 ECTS credits. This degree is similar to the Master of Philosophy degree offered in the UK. Also, the Ph.D. applicants first take the course before entering the Ph.D. program and then decide to complete their studies and enroll Ph.D. program.
The school year in Sweden starts from August to June, with two courses separated by the summer and winter holidays. A Ph.D. student will usually have enough free time to work while studying in Sweden throughout the year. However, they might need some additional courses and other extracurricular activities depending on their study field.
The role of the supervisor in the Ph.D. program
Studying for a doctorate requires the approval of a supervisor. You take the Ph.D. program as an assistant professor who receives a salary from the relevant professor for participating in research work. Therefore, the Ph.D. applicants must find a supervisor who approves their scientific and research resumes, based on which they can get admitted.
The Ph.D. students in Sweden complete their dissertation with two or more supervisors’ support. The supervisor’s role varies slightly depending on the applicants’ study field. For example, professors who work as educators and supervisors on arts, humanities, and social science projects do not participate directly in research. However, they can give the applicants helpful advice on the research project. While other supervisors of technology, engineering, and math projects can work directly with the applicants and even conduct some experiments and reviews directly, and the applicant’s Ph.D. dissertation is based on personal findings and analysis. They are an independent part of their educational process, and only the supervisor is responsible for supervising and accompanying them.
The Ph.D. students in Sweden will always have at least two supervisors, one of whom will be their principal during the course. At the discretion of the university, several supervisors may be assigned to you for specific tasks. The university will determine the supervisors’ roles and expectations. For example, the supervisor’s duties include:
- Arranging regular meetings to monitor your progress and research activity
- Review the results of drafts
- Support you in preparing your dissertation
Some additional responsibilities:
- Identifying and meeting educational needs
- Assisting with other aspects of professional and academic development
Required documents for a Swedish student visa
The non-EU Ph.D. applicants in Sweden must initially apply for a study permit. Because the deadline for obtaining admission and visas vary in different universities, the applicants must read the university site beforehand. The required documents for a Swedish Ph.D. student visa are:
- A valid passport
- A photo and university admission certificate
- IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE certificate
- Complete the required forms
- Proof of financial viability to afford to live in Sweden
Also, the applicants must provide the documents related to their companions if they want to bring them (a spouse and children below 18) to Sweden, including:
- A marriage certificate
- A birth certificate for each child
The study and living expenses in Sweden
Swedish universities do not pay for Ph.D. studies with government funding. Ph.D. programs and admission application expenses are free for EU, European Economic Area, and non-European international students. However, the applicants must afford Swedish living expenses. The cost of living in Sweden varies according to the individual’s lifestyle. For example, a property rental cost downtown is very different from renting the same property in distant areas from the city. We have examined some of the general living expenses in Sweden in the table below.
| Expenses | Amount in Euros |
| Monthly shopping list | 210 |
| Meals in an affordable restaurant | 10 |
| Transportation in a month | 80 |
| A one-bedroom apartment rent per month | 500 |
| Average monthly salary | 2,100 |
We have examined Ph.D. studies in Sweden, the prerequisites, and how to obtain residency and citizenship in this country by Ph.D. studies in detail. The high level of social welfare and the scientifically and historically quite old universities attract many students to Sweden every year. Studying in this country does not lead to permanent residence and citizenship, and the applicants must change their residency to work residency after graduation. However, studying for a Ph.D. is slightly different because the Ph.D. students receive a salary from the universities for participating in research projects. So, Ph.D. applicants must submit specific research and scientific resume to increase their chances before admission. Therefore, they must consult with experts in this field to take the best action.
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