Those PhD students admitted to the PhD program at Tema M are often schooled within different disciplines and traditions. In the PhD program they are trained in dialogue across disciplinary borders and learn to position their thesis work in a broader context. The combination of advanced studies, interdisciplinary dialogue and social relevance creates an enriching and challenging span. During the PhD program, the doctoral students take four joint courses that together give a deep understanding of environmental science concepts, theories and methods. Other courses are adapted to the individual thesis work.
The PhD program at Tema M targets both Swedish and international applicants and the working language is English. The aim is to give the doctoral student the ability to independently plan and conduct a qualified research effort as well as to present and disseminate their research results within and outside academia. Doctoral studies can lead to a licentiate degree equivalent to 120 ECTS (two years full-time studies) or a doctoral degree equivalent to 240 ECTS credits (four years full-time studies). Many PhD students are offered departmental duties (e.g. teaching at undergraduate level) and combine it with their doctoral studies. Departmental duties may not exceed 20% of the study time and if a PhD student chooses to engage in departmental duties, then their study period is extended to five years.