phd finance in sweden

Last Updated on December 14, 2022

PhD finance in Sweden is our blog about finance, economy, management and strategy. We write about financial and economic issues like the market for PhDs, careers in academia and management consulting, strategic consulting and new advances in technology affecting the industry. As a blog about research and academic career we also write about topics like academic writing and presentation skills.

Right here on Collegelearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on phd in finance admission requirements, phd in finance and investment, phd finance norway, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

UArctic - Save the Date: Council Meeting 2019

phd finance in sweden

Combining a historic higher education system with a culture of ingenuity and invention, it’s no surprise that Sweden is a popular choice for international PhD study. 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.

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

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 are a few reasons why you should consider a Swedish university this year:

  • 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 32 winners) reflects its proud history of recognising and rewarding research, excellence and innovation
  • No PhD fees – Swedish doctoral 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.

Universities39
Nobel Prizes32
Oldest UniversityUppsala University (1477)
International Students30,912
PhD Length4 years
Representative FeesNone
Academic YearAugust to June

Coronavirus updates for international students at Swedish universities

For the latest information on the impact of coronavirus on studying a PhD in Sweden, please read the official Study in Sweden COVID-19 guidance page. Here you can find updates regarding the possibility of on-campus teaching and the effect on residence permit applications.

PhD life in Sweden

Want to know more about what it’s like to live and study abroad in Sweden during a PhD? Our detailed guide covers everything from accommodation and living costs to culture and entertainment.

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 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.

UniversityTHE 2021QS 2021ARWU 2020
Karolinska Institute=3645
Lund University=10397151-200
Uppsala University=111=12477
Stockholm University183=18169
University of Gothenburg=191202101-150
Chalmers University of Technology201-250=139301-400
KTH Royal Institute of Technology201-25098201-300
Örebro University351-400601-700
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences351-400301-400
Umeå University351-400=333401-500
Information in this table is based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Visit their websites for more information.
Stockholm University - SPOTTERON Citizen Science

PhD structure

PhD study represents the highest level of academic achievement for students at Swedish universities. 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 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 ArtsHumanities 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 ScienceTechnologyEngineeringand 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.

Programme structure

Your main focus during a Swedish PhD 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.

Fees and funding

State-funded Swedish universities do not charge fees for PhD study (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.

11 PhD Positions in Business Studies at Uppsala University in Sweden, 2017

phd in finance admission requirements

Whether you are planning to apply for PhD in Finance in India or abroad, you will be required to fulfil certain prerequisites in order to be eligible for the course. Though the actual course requirements can differ from one university to another, here are the general eligibility requirements for PhD in Finance in India and abroad:

  • The applicant must have completed a master’s degree in Finance or any other related field from a recognised academic institution with the minimum scores specified by their chosen university.
  • To apply for PhD in Finance in India, you might be required to qualify PhD entrance exams.
  • If you are aspiring to pursue PhD abroad, you will have to provide GRE scores along with English Language Proficiency scores such as IELTSTOEFL, etc. Further, you will also have to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LORs) apart from other academic documents.

PhD in Finance Admission Process

In order to get admission for PhD in Finance, you need to follow a crucial admission process. Here is the admission process you should follow:

  • Fill the application form on the institute website where you wish to apply. The application can be filled online or offline
  • Take the entrance test depending on your desired institute. Once you have qualified the entrance test by scoring marks equal to or higher than required, you will be invited for further process.
  • The next part is the interview. You will be invited only if you qualify the entrance test. There can be one or more interview processes.
  • In the interview, you may be asked about your thesis plan and why you wish to pursue PhD. If you qualify these interviews, you will get a confirmation letter from your institute.

PhD in Finance: Entrance Exams

As stated above, to pursue PhD in Finance in India, candidates need to qualify entrance exams. Majority of the institutions in India provide admission in this course on the basis of GATE score or UGc NET score, what a few institutions also conduct a few entrance exams of their own. Mentioned below are the popular PhD in finance entrance exams that one must target to pursue this course- 

  • UGC NET 
  • RMAT 
  • JNU PhD Entrance Exams 
  • SIU PET Exam
  • GTU PhD Entrance Exam 

PhD in Finance Syllabus

Candidates pursuing or aspiring to study a PhD in Finance can expect to study a range of core, specialised and elective subjects as per their research topic, objective and future research inclinations. These subjects belong to both in core areas of finance such as risk, decision making, financial instruments, economic analysis, information economics, bargaining, auctions, public finance, etc. More subjects perused in this degree are mentioned below.

International Macroeconomics
And Finance
Asset PricingBehavioural Finance
Statistical AnalysisEconometric MethodsPortfolio Choice
CalculusCorporate
Governance
Options Pricing & Credit
Risk
Venture Capital Corporate FinanceMarket Design
Actuarial ScienceEmpirical Methods in
Finance
Financial Markets in the
Macroeconomy

About the author

Study on Scholarship Today -- Check your eligibility for up to 100% scholarship.

Leave a Comment