Doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law

Within the framework for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law, doctoral students are provided with the opportunity to pursue research leading to the degrees, Doctor of Laws and Licentiate of Laws.

The goal of the doctoral programme is that the doctoral student shall acquire the knowledge and capabilities required to act as an independent participant in the international research arena and contribute to the development of international research.

The programme for a doctoral degree comprises a total of 240 uc (four years of full-time study). The main portion of the programme consists of the completion of a scientific dissertation (doctoral thesis), which corresponds to 210 uc. The doctoral thesis can comprise a single text (monograph) or several texts having the same theme (a composite thesis). Courses in this programme correspond to 30 uc.

The programme for the degree of Licentiate of Laws comprises a total of 120 uc (two years of full-time study). The main portion of this degree consists of the completion of a licentiate thesis, corresponding to 105 uc. Doctoral students may complete part of the programme, consisting of at least 120 uc, by completing the degree of Licentiate of Laws. Courses in this programme correspond to 15 uc.

In addition to writing a doctoral thesis, the doctoral student shall participate in courses at the Faculty, the Research School in Jurisprudence, and/or complete other courses that may be determined in an individual plan of study.

In order to be accepted to the doctoral programme, the applicant must fulfil both the basic requirements and the special requirements stipulated by the Faculty board. Furthermore, the applicant must possess the necessary capacity required for the completion of the programme.

In order to be accepted to the doctoral programme, the applicant must be employed as a doctoral student or deemed to have sufficient long-term financing to complete the programme.

The Faculty must strive for equal opportunity and diversity in active recruitment and selection of applicants to the doctoral programme. Recruitment and selection processes must follow Lund University policies on discrimination, equal treatment, and diversity. An applicant of an underrepresented gender will be given preferential treatment if the applicant has equivalent qualifications in other respects, unless very special conditions require otherwise. The majority of doctoral students at the Faculty of Law are today female.

Admissions matters are dealt with by the research committee at the Faculty Board of Law (forskningsnämnden) .

For more information see the general syllabus for doctoral studies. Please click the link to the right under Related information to download the general syllabus (pdf-document).