Credit transfers from previous studies or experience
In connection with the admission process to the PhD programme, a student may apply to credit the second year of a Master's degree programme, previous publications and/or professional experience, toward their PhD studies in order to shorten them.
It is not possible to credit previous education, professional experience or other knowledge that makes up part of the admission requirements for the doctoral programme.
The duration of the doctoral programme – and the period of employment as a doctoral student – are shortened in accordance with the credit transfer. Learn more below about different experiencesthat may be credited.
Crediting the second year of a Master's programme
If your PhD education is part of, for example, an EU project that finances three-year PhD programmes, then a credit transfer may be relevant, in cases where you as a student see a value in shortening your PhD studies here in Lund.
Credit for published articles and papers
If you are combining your studies with, for example, a clinical placement, there may be value in crediting an already published article or knowledge from specialist training, to shorten your PhD programme. A maximum of one paper, carried out before admission to the PhD programme, can be included in the dissertation, pending a review during the admission process. The work must have been published within two years prior to admission to the PhD programme, and the credit transfer must occur during the admission process, not later.
Crediting knowledge from industry experience
If you are admitted as an industrial PhD student, you can transfer knowledge you have acquired working in the industry, to shorten the duration of your PhD studies.
How to apply for a credit transfer
According to Lund University's admission procedure, the review is carried out at the request of the prospective PhD student, and may not be used as an admission requirement or to fulfill eligibility in the recruitment of the student.
A maximum of one year of the doctoral program can be shortened, pending individual assessment by the vice dean responsible for PhD studies.
You can apply for a credit transfer during your admission process to the PhD programme. It must be stated in the application form that you wish to transfer credit.