Programme structure

PhD programme in Historical and Cultural Studies

Programme structure

The PhD-programme is a three-year study that builds on a five-year Master's degree or other equivalent education. The programme consists of a coursework component of at least 30 credts and a doctoral thesis estimated to 2,5 years full-time work.

The coursework and the doctoral thesis are completed in parallel, but we strongly recommend that you complete the coursework component as early as possible. The coursework component must be completed and approved before you hand in your doctoral thesis.

Go to more information about the doctoral thesis

Coursework component

The coursework component must include academic and methodological training at a high scientific level in order to qualify for the work on the thesis and to ensure depth and breadth of the candidate's scientific competence. The goal is to help the candidate further develop an independent and reflective relationship to their own and others' research, and to the role of research in a larger context.

The coursework component of the PhD-programme in Historical and Cultural Studies consists of the following three elements:

Advanced studies in theories of science and ethics, 10 ECTS credits
Advanced studies in theory and method, 10 ECTS credits
Discipline-related element, 10 ECTS credits

Advanced studies in theories of science and ethics is offered in the form of the course KULT8851 - Theories of Science, organized by the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture. The course is normally offered every semester.

In terms of training in theory and method, as well as the discipline-related element, the Faculty offers, among others, the following courses:

FI8861 - Theory and Method in Philosophy
HIST8872 - Digital Mapping for the Humanities and the Social Sciences
HIKU8863 - Quantitative Methods for Historians

Courses are not necessarily offered every semester. The time for local courses will be announced on the Faculty's website and on Innsida.

Go to more information about the Faculty's PhD-courses

External courses

PhD-candidates at the Faculty of Humanities may also attend courses at other institutions both nationally and internationally. In order to include these courses in the coursework component, the plan must be preapproved by the main supervisor and the Head of the PhD-programme. The candidate is also responsible for documenting the completion of the courses.

Research schools

As a PhD-candidate you may also participate in different research schools depending on your field and project. The following research schools may be relevant for PhD-candidates in Historical and Classical Studies:

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