bristol phd thesis submission

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Dissertations and theses

To find a university of bristol thesis:.

Use  Library Search  as if you were trying to find a book, using either the author's name, the title or a combination of the two. When your search results display, you can refine your search by using the 'Resource type - Thesis' option.

• Some recent MSc and Masters theses are held on the open shelves in the library in the School of Education. 
• MPhil, PhD, EdDs and older MSc and Masters thesis are held in the Research Reserve. These can be found via Library Search and you can request them using the 'reserve a copy' button

To find theses from other institutions:

UK’s national thesis service providing records of all doctoral theses awarded by UK Higher Education institutions and free access to the full text of as many theses as possible. Please note: UK theses not available on EThOS can be requested via the Inter-Library Loan service.

Includes citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day. Full-text is available for most dissertations added since 1997. The official digital dissertations archive for the Library of Congress, it also includes UK & Ireland content.

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Department of Philosophy

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• Website http://www.bristol.ac.uk/philosophy/

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Student theses

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Search results

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. A. C. (Supervisor) & Thebault, K. P. Y. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A Feminist Multidimensional Account of Autonomy

Supervisor: Burch-Brown, J. (Supervisor)

All You Need are Axioms: A Defence of Deflationism via Formal Truth Theory

Supervisor: Horsten, L. (Supervisor) & Whiting, D. (Supervisor)

An analysis of the phenomenon of technology in Herbert Marcuse’s philosophy

Supervisor: Morgan, D. S. (Supervisor) & Zuchowski, L. C. (Supervisor)

Student thesis : Master's Thesis › Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Anatomy of Seventeenth-Century Alchemy and Chemistry

Supervisor: Tho, T. (External person) (Supervisor)

A non-ideal approach to freedom of movement

Supervisor: Bertram, C. D. I. (Supervisor) & Baetu, T. M. (Supervisor)

A Phenomenological Approach to Contemporary Politics

Supervisor: Morgan, D. S. (Supervisor) & Carel, H. H. (Supervisor)

A Philosophical Analysis of the Relation between Chemistry and Quantum Mechanics: The case of a single inert molecule

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. (Supervisor)

A political philosophical account of secession: On the right and principles of secession

Supervisor: Bertram, C. D. I. (Supervisor)

A working scientific demarcation

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. (Supervisor) & Okasha, S. (Supervisor)

Biochemical kinds and the unity of science

Supervisor: Okasha, S. (Supervisor) & Tahko, T. (Supervisor)

Breaking the silence: a phenomenological account of epistemic injustice and its role in psychiatry

Supervisor: Carel, H. (Supervisor) & El Refaie, L. (Supervisor)

Classification and Explanation at the Crossroads of the Social and Natural Sciences

Supervisor: Okasha, S. (Supervisor), Dupre, J. (Supervisor) & Thebault, K. P. Y. (Supervisor)

Doxastic Dispositions: An Essay on the Metaphysics of Belief

Supervisor: Bird, A. (Supervisor) & Konek, J. (Supervisor)

Empiricism in the philosophy of science

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. A. C. (Supervisor) & Thebault, K. (Supervisor)

Evolution, progress and biological function : a naturalist perspective

Supervisor: Okasha, S. (Supervisor) & Everett, A. J. (Supervisor)

Exact Truthmaking, Hyperintensionality, and Paradoxes

Supervisor: Stern, J. (Supervisor) & Welch, P. D. (Supervisor)

Explanations in Biology: Perspectives on a Model-based science

Supervisor: Okasha, S. (Supervisor)

Has Metaphysics Done Its Time?

Supervisor: Thebault, K. (Supervisor) & Ladyman, J. A. C. (Supervisor)

Helpful Scientific Rationality: Thomas Kuhn's Theory Choice Meets Kenneth Arrow's Social Choice

Supervisor: Okasha, S. (Supervisor) & Preston , J. (External person) (Supervisor)

Higher-order evidence, reliability, and peer disagreement

Supervisor: Pettigrew, R. (Supervisor) & Konek, J. (Supervisor)

Invisible Experiences: A Philosophical Investigation of Breathlessnes

Supervisor: Carel, H. (Supervisor)

Metasemantics and fuzzy mathematics

Supervisor: Campbell-Moore, C. (Supervisor) & Stern, J. (Supervisor)

Models, data, and unobservable phenomena in physics

Supervisor: Thebault, K. (Supervisor) & Toon, A. (Supervisor)

Natural, Rational, and Real Arithmetic in a Finitary Theory of Finite Sets

Supervisor: Welch, P. (Supervisor)

On 'Probability': A Case of Down to Earth Humean Propensities

Supervisor: Campbell-Moore, C. (Supervisor) & Okasha, S. (Supervisor)

Probability and branching in Everettian Quantum Physics

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. (Supervisor) & Pettigrew, R. (Supervisor)

Rigour, Proof and Soundness

Supervisor: Campbell-Moore, C. (Supervisor) & Welch, P. (Supervisor)

Rousseau and the problem of  Amour-propre : citizen, Emile and the recluse

Supervisor: Sticker, M. (Supervisor) & Bertram, C. (Supervisor)

Style and the Art of Thinking

Supervisor: Pettigrew, R. G. (Supervisor) & Sticker, M. (Supervisor)

The Epistemic Value of Conceptualizing the Possible

Supervisor: Konek , J. P. (Supervisor) & Pettigrew, R. G. (Supervisor)

The epistemology of meta-theoretic properties of mathematical theories: consistency, soundness, categoricity

The ethics of automated vehicles.

Supervisor: Pettigrew, R. (Supervisor) & Hooker, B. (Supervisor)

The interplay between quantum foundations and quantum technologies: Counterfactual communication, and extensions of quantum mechanics

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. (Supervisor) & Rarity, J. (Supervisor)

The Life and Death of Animals

The problem of hyperbolic discounting, the struggle of the soul and the return to goodness: a new proposal for freudian psychoanalysis based on kantian theory.

Supervisor: Lampe, K. (Supervisor) & Morgan, S. (Supervisor)

Time, Tense, and Modality. A study of branching time

Supervisor: Leitgeb, H. (Supervisor)

Truth and paradox: a (mostly) proof-theoretic investigation

Supervisor: Stern, J. (Supervisor), Welch, P. (Supervisor) & Horsten, L. (Supervisor)

Universality and Particularity of Aristotelian Substances

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. (Supervisor) & Pearson, G. (Supervisor)

What Safeguards are Necessary to Guarantee Political Liberty as Non-Domination?

Supervisor: Morgan, D. S. (Supervisor) & Bertram, C. D. I. (Supervisor)

What the heck is logic?: Logics-as-formalizations, a nihilistic approach

Supervisor: Ladyman, J. A. C. (Supervisor) & Okasha, S. (Supervisor)

Careers Service Blog

Helping you get to where you want to be when you graduate

Writing a PhD research proposal

If you’re looking to apply for a phd program, one of the key requirements is writing a research proposal..

This document is essential, as it outlines your plans and will serve as a roadmap for the next few years. 

You won’t be completely bound to the contents of your proposal if you are successful in your application, there are many reasons your project might change and evolve over time.

You will be expected to stick broadly to what you originally proposed though, especially if you secure external funding.

Read on to find our top tips and advice on how to write a successful research proposal for your PhD application.

Once you’ve pulled a draft together, you may want someone at the Careers Service to check this over for you. If so, book a Careers Information and Advice appointment with us, or drop in to see us at 5 Tyndall Avenue.

What are your intentions?

Your research proposal needs to be convincing as a statement of intent and convey that you are serious about taking on a research project and training as a researcher. This means your proposal also needs to be tailored to the specific University and position you are applying for. Make sure you check their own specific advice and guidance on applications

Start early

Writing a research proposal can be a lengthy process, so it’s crucial to start early.

Give yourself plenty of time to conduct background research, refine your research question, and write the proposal itself.

Don’t leave it close to the deadlines for applying, as this could lead to unnecessary stress and a weaker proposal.  Try to think through how you might structure your PhD thesis in advance.

The more work you do to define the scope and approach of your research upfront, the less time you’ll need to spend on doing this during the PhD itself when the clock will already be ticking towards submission.

Conduct thorough background research 

Before you can write a research proposal, you must first conduct thorough background research on your chosen topic. This will enable you to refine your research question, identify gaps in the existing literature, and establish the importance of your research. It’s crucial to use and highlight credible sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles and books from reputable publishers. 

You will also need to research the University you are applying to and tailor your application to them. Do they have a specific research focus or purpose? Do they favour certain methodologies over others? 

Define your research question 

Once you have conducted your background research, you should be able to clearly define a research question.

It’s important to make sure your research question is clear, specific, achievable within the time and resources available to you, and contributes something new to your field of study. 

Be aware that PhD-level research needs to make an original contribution. This is the main criteria that will be assessed at the end of the process, so in a way, this is the most important part of your proposal. 

Justify your research 

Originality is not enough, especially in today’s competitive research environment, so you’ll also need to provide a clear justification for why your research is important and why it should be undertaken. This could involve discussing the gap in the literature that your research aims to fill, and why.  

Depending on your project and discipline you may also want to outline a hypothesis about your results, covering potential outcomes you expect in terms of practical applications or contributions to theory. 

Outline your methodology 

Your research methodology is the approach you’ll take to answer your research question. You’ll need to provide a clear outline of this in your proposal, including details of any data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis methods you plan to use.

This can be refined over time, but make sure you choose an appropriate methodology for your question, and justify your choice. 

If there are any budgetary implications to your research, you should also include these. If you think this will be the case, talk to academics in your field to get a sense of what the appropriate spend looks like. 

Consider any ethical implications 

Depending on your topic and methodology, there may be ethical implications to consider. For example, if you’re conducting research with human participants, you’ll need to obtain ethical approval from your university’s ethics committee, and possibly elsewhere. It’s crucial to be aware of any ethical issues related to your research and address them appropriately in your proposal. 

Provide a timeline

Finally, you’ll need to provide a timeline for your research.

This should include details of when you plan to complete each stage of your research, from data collection to data analysis to writing up your findings.

Ensure your timeline is realistic and includes some slack to account for potential delays and unexpected issues that may arise (they will).

Writing a research proposal can be a challenging task but with sufficient time and awareness of the requirements you will get there.

By following the tips and advice outlined in this blog post, you’ll be well on your way to writing a successful proposal that showcases your research plan and sets you up for success in your PhD program. 

Best of luck!

Home > Study > Postgraduate Research

Explore postgraduate research

For those called to serve the kingdom through scholarship at the highest levels, Trinity College offers two postgraduate research degrees: the  Master of Theology (MTh)  and the  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) . The expertise of the faculty, the confessional nature of the college, and our flourishing community of more than 60 postgraduate researchers make Trinity an excellent context in which to take one’s first steps into the academy.

As a postgraduate student, you can study full-time, part-time, in residence at Bristol, or by distance learning. Trinity’s research degrees are fully validated by the University of Aberdeen, an ancient Scottish university with a globally recognised reputation for excellence in the study of Christian theology.

If you are interested in studying for a higher degree through Trinity, we strongly encourage you to begin by browsing through this list of our current  faculty and their specialised research areas. Once you have identified a potential supervisor, you may contact them directly to begin a discussion regarding a possible supervisory relationship.

If you want to discuss potential projects and supervisors, you can contact our For any questions about applications or any administrative issues relating to our postgraduate research programme, please contact our Postgraduate Administrator .

Studying at Trinity

The MTh degree involves writing a 40,000 word thesis and does not include mandatory course attendance. The nature of the thesis is defined by the student’s  research proposal  and is written under the supervision of a relevant faculty member.

Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission as a student for the research master’s is a degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, or its equivalent (e.g., 3.5/4.0 in a GPA system). Students are also expected to have facility in research languages requisite for the project proposed.

The MTh programme can be finished in 12 months of full-time study, or 24 months of part-time study, with completed theses assessed by  viva voce  examination. Distance-based students are expected to come to campus at least once a year for our annual postgraduate conference (normally held at the end of June), or more frequently at the discretion of their supervisor. Non-UK/EU students who wish to study residentially must secure a Tier 4 student visa.

To earn the PhD, students must write a 100,000 word thesis on a topic defined by their  research proposal  under the supervision of a relevant faculty member. PhD students will read on their own topic and work closely with their supervisors to define the research and compose the thesis.

Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission to the PhD is a degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, or equivalent (e.g., 3.5/4.0 in a GPA system). It is preferable that you hold a master’s degree in the chosen area of study as well. Students are also expected to have facility in research languages requisite for the project proposed.

The PhD programme can be finished in 36 months of full-time study or 72 months of part-time study, with completed theses assessed by  viva voce examination. Distance-based students are expected to come to campus at least once a year for our annual postgraduate research conference (normally held at the end of June), or more frequently at the discretion of their supervisor. Non-UK/EU students who wish to study residentially must secure a Tier 4 student visa.

As an ordinand at Trinity, you can benefit from our large postgraduate research community.

Our ordinands have the option to pursue a research programme (MTh or PhD) as part of their ordination training; you would simply complete both our  usual application form  and  our research application form .

Questions? Contact  [email protected]  for questions about ordination training or  [email protected]  for questions about postgraduate research.

In this 1-minute video, you can meet Ben, a Trinity ordinand pursuing doctoral studies as part of his training.

Each year, at the end of June, we welcome our postgraduate students from around the world to come and join us in Bristol, staying at Trinity for our annual postgraduate research conference.

The conference includes three days of paper presentations from students (topics have included everything from the theology of stillbirth to Bonhoeffer’s theology of preaching and contemporary nationalism in Northern Ireland ). There are also a keynote lecture from a senior scholar, evenings out together, and the option at the end of the conference to participate in a Saturday sightseeing trip and a Sunday barbecue.

For some this is the first time presenting a paper; for others a chance to develop ideas raised in previous years. Either way, the atmosphere is supportive and encouraging.

Download a postgraduate research programme application form  here .  All postgraduate research applications should be sent to Postgraduate Administrator Pavla Slugenova ( [email protected] ). Pav can also be of help to you if you have any questions about the PGR application process.

Applications for research degrees are considered twice a year by our Research Applications Committee. Deadlines for applications are 1 October and 15 January, with the committee usually meeting in late October and early February.

If you are a Church of England candidate going through Research Degree Panel (RDP), please get in touch with the Postgraduate Administrator regarding additional deadlines.

Along with the application form, all applicants are to submit (by email to our postgraduate office) the following supporting documents:

• Research proposal
• A writing sample  that demonstrates skills commensurate with the nature of the proposed thesis (no longer than 5000 words)
• Official academic transcripts  (please arrange for these to be sent directly from the institution from which you graduated)
• PDF copies of certificates of completed studies
• Personal statement

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate their English language ability by submitting scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum required overall score for the IELTS (academic) exam is 6.5.

You are also required to furnish us with  two academic references  from people who can speak knowledgeably of your suitability for the course of your choice.  See our guidance for academic referees  here .  Letters of reference should be emailed directly by your referees to our postgraduate office as a PDF ( [email protected] ) .

The  p ersonal statement  should be no longer than 1000 words and should contain the following: details of your aptitude for study; reasons why you have chosen the programme; details of any practical experience relevant to the programme; relevant responsibilities; periods of study abroad; relevant outside interests; reasons for wishing to study at Trinity College and, where appropriate, reasons for wishing to study in the UK.

If you intend to study on a part-time basis whilst also being employed, we must also receive  a letter from your employer  indicating their awareness and support of your studies. This may be either submitted directly to the college by your employer or included with your application materials. If you are uncomfortable requesting such a letter from your employer, please contact the Postgraduate Administrator ( [email protected] ) to explain your situation. It is expected that full-time students will not be employed during their studies.

If you hope to pursue a research programme as part of your ordination process , in addition to sending the items above to the postgraduate administrator, please contact  [email protected] , so you can complete the application form to become an ordinand at Trinity.

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The best way to find out if we’re the right fit for you is to come and visit us. We have several Open Days and Open Afternoons during the course of a year. If those dates don’t work for you, don’t worry – we can arrange for you to visit another time. We look forward to meeting you!

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• PhD Study in Sweden – A Guide for 2024

Written by Mark Bennett

A PhD in Sweden is an opportunity to study in a country that combines a historic higher education system with a culture of ingenuity and invention. The country’s universities date back to the fifteenth century, whilst Swedish brands and technologies such as Spotify, IKEA and Bluetooth continue to shape the modern world.

This covers what you need to know about PhD study in Sweden , including information on applications, funding opportunities and doctoral fees (spoiler: there aren’t any).

PhD opportunities in Sweden – what’s on offer for 2024?

If the goal for your doctorate is to produce original and potentially innovative work (it should be) then a PhD in Sweden may well be the ideal choice.

Like its Scandinavian neighbours, Sweden is also a highly tolerant country, with progressive and inclusive laws that support LGBT rights and welcome international students and visitors.

Here's some reasons to consider a PhD in Sweden for international students:

• Creativity and originality – You may not discover the next big music streaming solution (and even a PhD may not help you understand *that step* in those IKEA instructions) but your doctoral research will be right at home in a country that celebrates free-thinking and supports new ideas
• Prize-winning research - Sweden's status as the home of the Nobel Prize (with 34 winners) reflects its proud history of recognising and rewarding research, excellence and innovation
• No PhD fees – Swedish PhD programmes normally charge no tuition fees to their students (regardless of nationality)
• Historic (and respected) universities – Higher education in Sweden dates back to the 1400s and the country’s universities are well placed in modern rankings, with particular specialisms in Medicine, Life Sciences and related subjects

We’ve studiously avoided making any ABBA references in this section, but if you want a university to take a chance on your research proposal and eventually give you, give you, give you a PhD without charging much money, money, money for fees*. . . well, there are worse destinations to choose than Sweden.

*We're sorry.

Swedish universities

There are 39 state-funded universities and equivalent institutions in Sweden, alongside a smaller number of privately funded higher education providers.

Degrees are organised using a three-cycle system , in common with the wider European Higher Education Area . Your PhD in Sweden will be a third-cycle qualification , usually taking place after Bachelors (first cycle) and Masters (second cycle) study.

Universities and university colleges

Higher education providers in Sweden are divided into two types:

• Universities ( universitet ) are large institutions awarding degrees in a broad range of subjects. They carry out original research alongside academic teaching and therefore have the capacity to support and train PhD students.
• University colleges ( högskola ) focus on technical and professional training, often in applied sciences and related subjects. They are less likely to award PhDs but may do so in certain subject areas.

The distinction between these two categories isn’t always obvious or clear from an institution’s name (university colleges may simply refer to themselves as universities). The good news is that you don’t need to worry too much about it. As a PhD student you’re likely to end up studying at a university, but the smaller number of doctoral programmes offered by university colleges are equally rigorous and respected.

Swedish university rankings

Sweden is home to one of Europe’s top-performing higher education systems, at least so far as university rankings are concerned. Of the 38 universities in Sweden, 10 rank within the current Times Higher Education world top 400.

Do rankings matter for PhD study?

University rankings can help you choose a PhD project or programme, provided you know what to look at. Our guide explains how to use rankings as a prospective postgraduate.

PhD structure

A PhD in Sweden represents the highest level of academic achievement for students. As in other countries, the emphasis is on your independent research towards an original thesis that makes a new contribution to knowledge in your field.

Swedish doctoral degrees

Doctoral level study in Sweden takes one of two forms:

A standard PhD in Sweden requires a minimum of four years full-time work (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits ) and awards a full doctorate (along with the all-important title of ‘doctor’).

Alternatively, you may choose to study for a shorter licentiate degree. This generally only requires two years of full-time work towards a shorter and less ambitious thesis (equivalent to 120 ECTS credits ). The Swedish licentiate is similar to the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) offered in the UK or other countries and some students initially enrol for this qualification before upgrading to become full PhD candidates.

The academic year in Sweden runs from August to June with two teaching terms (August to January and January to June) separated by summer and winter holidays. As a PhD student you’ll normally work more flexibly throughout the year, but some additional courses and other activities may be linked to specific teaching periods.

Supervision

You’ll complete your PhD (or licentiate) with the support of two or more expert supervisors whose job it will be to guide your work. Their roles will vary slightly depending on your field:

• Supervisors for Arts , Humanities and some Social Science projects will serve primarily as mentors. They won’t be directly involved in your research, but they will be able to advise on the direction your project is taking.
• Supervisors for Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects may also be carrying out similar research as the lead or principal investigator for the laboratory or research group your PhD is part of. This means they may also work alongside you or even collaborate on some experiments. However, your PhD thesis will still be an independent piece of work, based on your personal findings and analysis.

You’ll always have at least two PhD supervisors, one of whom will be the principal supervisor for your PhD. Some universities also appoint additional assistant supervisors with responsibility for specific tasks (such as training or pastoral care and support).

Your supervisors’ roles and expectations will be set by your university. As a minimum they’ll usually include arranging regular progress meetings, reviewing results and drafts and supporting you as you prepare to submit your thesis. Some additional responsibilities might include identifying and fulfilling training needs or assisting with other aspects of your professional and academic development.

PhD supervision

Our guides explain how to choose (and contact ) a PhD supervisor and introduce the working relationship you'll have with yours as a doctoral student.

Programme structure

Your main focus during a PhD in Sweden will be the original research required for your thesis. You’ll normally begin by assessing the scholarship in your subject (a literature review) before moving on to collecting sources or experimental data and eventually writing up your conclusions and results.

Some universities also offer more structured training alongside your research. This may involve attending short courses and / or attending short courses on research methods and other useful skills for your project.

It’s also common for PhD students at Swedish universities to serve as junior academic staff within their departments or faculties as part of their funding arrangements. If so, you’ll also have additional duties such as teaching or demonstrating.

Assessment and examinations

The assessment of a Swedish PhD is based on the quality of the doctoral thesis you submit at the end of your research. This needs to demonstrate that your work has been original, that it has made a significant contribution to your subject and that you have personally been responsible for designing and carrying out the research involved.

All of these qualities will be formally assessed during a final public defence of your thesis.

This is similar to the viva voce used in the UK and other countries but follows a slightly different procedure. Instead of being examined in private, you will present your thesis to an examining committee in front of an audience that may include other academics, fellow PhD students and your family and friends.

One of the committee will be an external expert (from outside your university) appointed to serve as your ‘opponent’. They will ask questions about your thesis and challenge you to explain your findings and conclusions. Other members of the committee (and audience) may also ask questions.

At the end of the examination your committee will decide whether or not you have successfully defended your thesis and can be awarded your PhD. This ‘live’ examination process may seem daunting, but you should think of it as an appropriate climax for your research, allowing you to assert your expertise and prove your qualification. It’s also quite rare for students to fail at this stage.

Masters study in Sweden

Looking to study a Masters in Sweden? We have all the information you need on our sister site, FindAMasters .

Fees and funding

There are no fees for PhD study in Sweden at state-funded universities (note that this doesn’t apply to Masters or Bachelors degrees). Doctoral programmes are free for EU, EEA and international (non EU) students.

The same applies to application fees – you don’t need to pay these for a PhD in Sweden.

You will need to cover your accommodation and living costs, but support may be available from your university to help with this.

Study grants

It’s common for PhD students in Sweden to also be recognised as staff, subject to an employment contract with their university. If applicable, this pays you to a salary known as a study grant ( utbildningsbidrag ) worth approximately €1,500 per month (but subject to tax).

Your employment status may vary during your PhD. For the first two years you will receive your study grant, but not be entitled to benefits and social security. For the final two years you will normally hold a full employment contract ( anställning ) and be entitled to support during illness, parental leave or other circumstances. More information will be available from your university.

In return for your study grant you will normally be required to carry out some responsibilities within your department, such as teaching undergraduates or assisting with administrative work.

PhD funding

Other scholarships and bursaries for PhD study in Sweden may also be available to help top up (or substitute for) a study grant.

The main source of PhD funding for international students in Sweden is the Swedish Institute (SI). They offer scholarships for students from specific regions including Turkey, the Balkans and the Baltic. More information is available on the official Study in Sweden website.

Other funding may be available from universities in Sweden, or from specific academic organisations and research charities relevant to your subject area. Our guides provide information on a range of PhD scholarships and other funding options .

Applying for a PhD in Sweden

You should apply directly to universities for PhD study in Sweden. How you do so will depend on the kind of project you are interested in:

• PhDs in Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics will often be advertised as specific projects. You should view current opportunities and apply according to the guidelines set by specific adverts. This will often mean submitting a personal statement along with your academic CV and references .
• Students in Arts , Humanities and Social Sciences are more likely to put forward their own project ideas. You’ll need to submit a strong research proposal , perhaps after contacting a potential supervisor for guidance and advice.

However you apply, make sure you check the specific requirements and procedure with your university.

Admissions requirements

Swedish universities are free to set their own entry requirements for PhD study . The minimum qualification will usually be a Bachelors degree in an appropriate subject, but a Masters is also desirable – particularly if you’re applying for funding.

Just as important as your previous qualifications will be your ability to demonstrate previous research experience . This could simply be the dissertation project for one or both of your previous degrees, but it’s important that you can show some preparation for the independent research you’ll be doing on your PhD.

The general eligibility criteria for PhD applications in Sweden is similar to most other countries in the EU.

Language requirements

A large proportion of teaching at Swedish universities takes place in English. This means you won’t necessarily need to know Swedish to study abroad in Sweden, but it’s worth checking with the specific university or department you plan to study within. Even if English isn’t required, picking up some language skills will help you settle in and enjoy your degree.

If English isn’t your first language you may need to submit a recognised test score . Exceptions might be made if you’ve completed a previous university degree taught in English.

Your university may invite you for an interview as part of the admissions process (in person, or online). This is a good sign! It means your application is suitably interesting and impressive and the university wants to hear more from you.

Student visas

Visa information for uk students in sweden.

UK students will no longer be EU citizens from the 2021-22 academic year onwards. This means you may be considered as an international student when studying in Sweden. You may be subject to different visa requirements and fee rates, unless otherwise stated.

You won’t need a visa to study in Sweden as a PhD student (student visas are required for visits of less than three months, but your PhD is guaranteed to take longer than this!).

EU, EEA and Nordic students

If you’re a citizen of an EU, EEA or Nordic country (a group that includes Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Norway as well as Sweden) you won’t need a residence permit to live in Sweden during your PhD. However, you will need to register with a local branch of the Swedish Tax Agency ( Skatteverket ).

You’ll need to bring your passport plus any marriage or birth certificates (if you are married and / or have children). You’ll also need to bring proof of admission to a Swedish university and a signed declaration that you have sufficient funds to live on during your PhD (the minimum requirement is €826 per month ).

Other international students

Students from countries outside the EU, EEA and Nordic group must formally apply for a residence permit in order to study in Sweden for longer than three months.

You can do this online. You’ll need to provide copies of your passport, along with proof that you have been admitted to a Swedish university, have paid the first instalment of your tuition fees and can support yourself financially during your PhD the minimum requirement is €826 per month ).

Health insurance

All students in Sweden will need full health insurance. If you already hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you will normally be automatically covered. Alternatively, your university may provide cover as part of your study grant, or offer an affordable policy for you to purchase.

Sweden is a multicultural and inclusive country with plenty of opportunities for talented PhD graduates to apply their skills and expertise. Who knows – your work could be part of the next great Swedish innovation.

Can I work in Sweden after my PhD?

EU, EEA and Nordic students can live and work in Sweden without restriction. Other international students will need to apply for a post-study residence permit , allowing you to stay in Sweden for another six months as you look for work. To obtain this you’ll need to have completed your degree, still be in Sweden and hold a valid passport.

If you are successful in finding a job within six months, you can go on toapply for a work permit. Further information is available from the Swedish Migration Office .

Find a PhD in Sweden

Ready to start browsing some current PhD opportunities in Sweden ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to PhD study abroad .

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