Doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine

For those interested in postgraduate research education: 
A PhD comprises 240 ECTS, equivalent to four years of full-time study in a research subject, including approved doctoral courses and a doctoral thesis. You can find available PhD positions at Umeå University here.

These pages have been translated from the Swedish version of the Handbook for doctoral studies. If any contradictions have occurred, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Faculty-wide doctoral programme

As a doctoral student, you will be part of a faculty-wide research education programme. The programme aims to support individual progression towards the qualitative targets and offer opportunities for exchange across subject and departmental boundaries, as well as providing doctoral education on equal terms.

The programme comprises 25 ECTS and is offered in two study rates: 25 ECTS over eight semesters (four years in total) or twelve semesters (six years in total), with the programme starting each autumn and spring semester. In addition to compulsory courses, the programme includes credit-bearing work in base groups which are monitored throughout the programme. The base groups meet digitally one to four times per semester according to a flexible schedule. Each meeting is estimated at three hours as well as five hours of preparation time.

The courses included in the doctoral programme, as well as the weeks and semesters they are offered for doctoral students admitted to the four- and six-year programmes, are summarised in the table below. The first course semester 1 is offered on campus, while the other courses are preferably offered digitally.

For those who intend to start the doctoral programme in an autumn semester, your application for doctoral studies must be received by the Faculty Office no later than 1 September (of your intended first year).

For those who intend to start the doctoral programme in a spring semester, your application for doctoral studies must be received by the Faculty Office no later than 15 January (of your intended first year)

The course weeks refer to full-time (100%) studies if not otherwise noted.

Information material

Compulsory course weeks

ImageLudvig Backman

Joint perspectives on theory, methodology and practice in
medical science, 4 hp
Research ethics, 2 hp
Research writing in the medical sciences, 5 hp
Oral presentation, 1,5 hp
Grant applications, 2,5 hp
Knowledge translation,1,5 hp

Basegroup work, 7 hp
Pre-doc exchange, 1,5 hp (-6,5 hp)

Handbook for doctoral studies