Programme structure

Recommended course of study

Course of study for those who started between Autumn 2018 - Spring 2026

Course of study for those who started between Autumn 2018 - Spring 2026

Course of study for those who started between 2015 - 2018

Course of study for those who started between 2015 - 2018.

Course of study for those who started before 2015

Course of study for those who started before 2015.

• All PhD courses at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography

Programme structure

Mandatory courses (10 credits)

• Required faculty courses (10 credits). All PhD candidates must participate in a starting seminar and pass mandatory courses in the philosophy of science, research ethics, and research skills. It is recommended that these courses be completed during the first year of study.
• The Thesis seminars are intended to develop the individual candidate's thesis project. The thesis seminars aim to promote a sense of community among PhD candidates admitted in the same semester. In the case of a leave of absence, exchange abroad, or other warranting circumstances, it is possible to apply for postponement of the seminar.
  • SOS9000 or SGO9000: Introduction is a seminar common to all PhD candidates at the Department, that must be completed in the semester of or following admission. Offered in every Autumn semester. Here candidates present their projects to each other as well as to the PhD leaders at the department. The question of whether to write the thesis as a monograph or a selection of articles is discussed. Courses in literature searching and use of the university library are held.
  • SOS9050 or SGO9050: Midway assessment should be completed during the fourth semester for candidates with a 3-year scholarship, and in the fifth semester for those with a 4-year scholarship. Offered in every Spring semester. The midway assessment consists of a status report for the thesis as well as an article/chapter draft. An appointed opponent, PhD leaders, supervisors and the other research fellows in attendance will give comments on the presented material. It is required that the candidates' main supervisor is present and we also encourage co-supervisors to participate.
  • SOS9060 or SGO9060: Towards submission. The final part should be completed the semester before planned submission. Offered in both Spring and Autumn semesters. Here the candidate will be given feedback in the process of completing the thesis. Candidates writing article-based thesis present a draft for the introductory part. Those writing a monograph present the introductory chapter of the thesis.

Elective courses (20 credits)

• Course in research methods (minimum 5 credits). For those writing theses that incorporate empirical analysis, the courses selected should be relevant for your analysis. Courses providing a broader introduction to current research methods within the academic field of interest might nevertheless be of interest.
• Course in theory or substance (minimum 5 credits). These might be courses that go more in-depth on current theory and research in the candidate's field of interest, or more general courses in Sociological theory or Human Geographical theory.  Documentation: design of a scientific paper. Topics or perspectives form the thesis are viewed in relation to Sociological/Human Geographical academic traditions or academic traditions and literature on the subfield.
• Generic courses. Generic courses focus on general, transferable skills and competencies, rather than subject-specific knowledge. The aim of such courses is to provide participants with tools that are applicable in many different contexts. The Faculty of Social Sciences offers a number of generic courses. We particularly recommend: Starter Kit: Teaching as a PhD candidate.
• Conferences (maximum 4 credits). Conference participation with a presentation/paper can provide up to four credits in total. We encourage candidates to present their research internationally, and this will also be considered when assessing the number of credits: Presentation of a paper at international (non-Nordic) conferences provides two credits. Presentation of a paper at national and Nordic conferences provides one credits. NB! In case you are applying for approval of more than one conference, your presentation must be different each time. You find more information on approvals at the bottom of the page.

Approval of courses and conferences

All external (outside our department) courses and conferences you are planning to take must be approved by the department. 

• Conferences: In addition to the completed application form, please attach the conference program and abstract for the presented paper. NB! We only approve participation in conferences in 2026 and later.

• All courses taken outside of ISS, which you want to have approved in your training component, must be submitted for approval, preferably before you take the course. Here you will find more detailed information on approval of courses and the application form.

  Application form

Do you have questions?

• Contact us