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Being a doctoral student
The four years of doctoral studies are just that, an education to become a researcher. To assist him/her, the doctoral student has two supervisors and an individual study plan. The education is regulated by a number of local regulations, all of which are based on the Higher Education Ordinance.
A doctoral programme is four years and thus 240 credits. Of these, 60-75 credits are courses (loika for different subjects), some of which are compulsory and some are elective. The thesis work itself occupies the remaining number of credits. The content of the individual doctoral student's education is regulated in an individual study plan (ISP).
An individual study plan describes the content of the doctoral programme. It is a document that the doctoral student and supervisor produce together and that is approved by the Swedish Defence University's Head of Research. It shall be followed up at least once a year. As an appendix to the ISP there is a matrix for goal fulfilment. The template and list are so far only available in Swedish. SEDU will move to an electronic system for managing ISPs by 2025.
During the first semester, the doctoral student usually attends compulsory courses, partly a method course and partly an introduction/in-depth study in each subject.
Mandatory courses are listed in the general syllabus of each subject.
Supervision
At least two supervisors shall be appointed for each doctoral student, one of whom shall be the main supervisor.
The supervisors, and in particular the main supervisor, are the doctoral student's primary guide in terms of the actual research studies, while the immediate supervisor has direct employer responsibility for the doctoral student. The supervisor's task is to ensure that the doctoral student during the programme achieves the goals regarding knowledge and understanding, skills and abilities as well as the ability to value and approach as specified for the doctoral degree.
The principal supervisor shall be a professor or associate professor, have completed research supervisor training or the equivalent and be employed at the Swedish Defence University. The assistant supervisor must have a doctoral degree and should have completed research supervisor training.
Until the main supervisor is appointed, the director of studies for each third-cycle subject acts as preliminary supervisor.
Supervisors are appointed by the respective head of department on the proposal of the relevant subject council. When supervisors are appointed, the doctoral student's views should be taken into account. A doctoral student who so requests shall be allowed to change supervisors.
The doctoral student is entitled to supervision totaling at least 80 hours per year for full-time studies.
Together with the supervisor, and in consultation with the supervising manager, the doctoral student shall prepare an individual study plan for decision by the head of department (with annual follow-up).
The regulations can be found here
Pdf, 141.6 kB. as well as a template for appointing a supervisor
Word, 41.2 kB..
Participation in the subject and area seminar is compulsory throughout the study period. Read more in the general syllabus.
To be eligible for a doctoral degree, an approved doctoral thesis is required. The thesis must be defended orally at a public defence. At the public defence, there must be an opponent who is not active at the Swedish Defence University. Read more in the general syllabus.