The post-graduate studies contain many components, and to facilitate for PhD students and supervisors to succeed together, some of the most important parts of the structure and content are shown below as function of time:

The postgraduate program has two parts: On the one hand coursework and, on the other hand, research leading to a thesis:

Courses that both broaden and deepen the knowledge and skills of the student are part of the post-graduate studies. Different specializations have different course amount demands, which are specified in the respective study plans. The courses may be chosen individually by each graduate student together with the supervisors according to the background and research direction of the student.The courses Research Ethics A and B are mandatory, and the introductory course during the first half year is recommended.

The research work must lead to a scientific thesis. The thesis can take the form of a monograph, i.e. a single essay, or a collection of scientific articles tied together by a brief summary.The thesis for the Licentiate degree is smaller in scope but the quality requirements are the same as for a PhD thesis.

Time

The studies comprise four full-time years. Students who do not study full time, for example due to teaching, get a correspondingly longer total study time.

Milestones

• Recruitment is initiated by a supervisor. 
• Licentiate seminar often marks the half-way point. 
• PhD thesis defense marks the completion of the studies.

Planning and follow-up

At admission an Individual Study Plan (ISP) is made for each PhD student. This ISP shall be revised annually, whereby the progress and development of the student is documented and evaluated, and further planning is is done.

Financing

Normally the student is financed by "utbildningsbidrag", an intermediate between scholarship and employment, during the first year, and then by "doktorandtjänst", a regular but time-limited employment.

Scientific development

The development of the PhD student, both concerning special and general knowledge and skills, as well as scientific maturity and productivity progresses gradually. Often the development appears to be slow initially, after which it accelerates and continues after the end of the post-graduate studies!