The primary two components of your PhD studies are course work and development of your thesis.

As found in the general study plan of the IIIEE PhD education, in order to obtain a PhD degree, you need to earn 240 ECTS in total, consisting of courses worthy of at least 90 ECTS in total and at least 150 ECTS from the thesis work. If you are pursuing a licentiate degree, the total credits required is 120 ECTS, consisting of at least 45 ECTS for courses and 75 ECTS for thesis.

PhD studies are self-driven, and you should be the primary “owner” of the study and take initiatives in its progress. Meanwhile, the primary guidance provider during the study is your supervisors, with whom you should consult to be on the right track. Please do also keep in mind that you have other formal “supporters” – Director of PhD studies, PhD administrator. 

In order to facilitate your PhD thesis work, you have the opportunity to have an external expert reviewing and commenting on your work at mid-way review and final seminar. In addition, you are allowed to be engaged in maximum 20% of departmental duties. 

You can organise your PhD studies in consultation with the supervisors in general, which should be checked and approved by the IIIEE Director as well as the Director of PhD studies through the ISPs (updated twice a year). In addition there are two other plans (Activity Plan and “duties plan (Personalplan) that relate to your PhD studies. The activity plan is an IIIEE internal document indicating how your salary is financed, and is primarily the responsibility of your supervisor to review. The duties plan is a form submitted to LU which is developed by the IIIEE HR personnel based on the activity plan.

In addition to the ISP meeting, you will also meet the IIIEE Director regarding the work environment at staff appraisal (“utvecklingssamtal” in Swedish).

These different activities should together help you reach the learning outcomes described in the general study plan.