Apply to the PhD programme

General and specific entry requirements

• General entry requirement: an advanced level qualification, has satisfied fulfillment of the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits awarded at the advanced level, including at least 15 credits for an individual piece of work, or has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
• Specific entry requirement: courses in Business Studies comprising 90 credits.
  

In order to receive a PhD position, the candidate needs to be admitted to the doctoral programme, and for this, his/her potential ability to pursue the programme is decisive.

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

More information about the English language requirements.

For some positions there may also be language requirements in Swedish.

Documents to be included in the application

• CV
• Certified graduation diploma and transcripts of academic records, and other relevant documents that prove general and specific eligibility.
• Research proposal in either English or Swedish (max. 12,000 characters including spaces). The research proposal should address the main research questions and the relevance of the project, relate the project to relevant previous research in the field, and present issues regarding data and methodology.
• Motivation letter. In the motivation letter you will have to specify which project position you are interested in.
• Master thesis and books, articles, scripts, etc invoked. Note that a master thesis that has not yet been completed and assessed by the application deadline is given respite until May 29, 2024.
• TOEFL/IELTS-test (or equivalent). Note that applicants with a master’s degree from an English-speaking university or programme do not need to prove their English skills by submitting a TOEFL/IELTS-test. Information about English tests can be found in the link above.
• Two letters of reference/recommendation (for example, from university teachers or employers). The letters have to include the contact information to the referees (e-mail address and phone number). The recommendation should state in what way the referent has known the applicant. We are particularly interested in an assessment of the applicant in terms of our admissions criteria.

Criteria for assessment of applications

When assessing candidates the recruitment group looks at the following:

• Whether they meet the eligibility requirements.
• Theses; Master thesis and other written work in Swedish or English.
• Study background and qualifications: the training /courses the applicant has completed and with what result.
• The applicant's ability to benefit from postgraduate studies in business studies according to criteria of methodological rigor, theoretical awareness, critical thinking, independence and originality as well as communication skills.
• Research focus and opportunities for tutoring. A prerequisite is that the department can offer a favourable research environment and supervision for the research project in question.

Routines for assessment

• The applications are assessed, to see whether they meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements are given notice of rejection.
• The Admissions Committee, consisting of the department's professors and associate professors, makes a first selection among the applicants on the basis of submitted documents and established criteria.
• Selected persons are called for interviews. Other researchers at the department may also participate in the interviews.
• Selected persons among those interviewed shall do a written assignment, consisting of reading a selected article (or articles) and do a brief analysis.
• Possibly some candidates will be called for a second interview.
• A final assessment is made by the Admissions Committee and the final decision is taken by the Head of Department.
• The decisions of admission or rejection are normally taken by the Head of Department. Exceptions are specified in the General Study Plan.
• The decision of admission is communicated individually no later than July 1, or, where applicable, when the financing is determined. The PhD position normally starts ca 1 September.
  

An Evaluation Committee assesses the applications and provides a recommendation for which candidates that will be called to interviews. Interviews are planned 12, 15 and 16 April 2024. The chosen candidates will be called for interviews via e-mail.

Those chosen to proceed after the interviews will be be requested to a written assignment. Start time 22 April 8 AM and end time 23 April 2024.

Possibly those who proceed after the written assignment will be called for a second interview 6-8 May 2024.

The letter of admission will be sent in the end of May.

A master thesis that has not yet been completed and assessed by the application deadline is given a respite to hand in until May 29, 2024.

The PhD programme starts 21 August 2024 with some introduction days and thereafter the first PhD course.