Teaching as a doctoral student
As a doctoral student, you may have the opportunity to teach at undergraduate level. This page provides information about teaching assignments, thesis supervision, pedagogical training, and whom to contact if you are interested in teaching.
Teaching during doctoral studies
Teaching is a valuable part of doctoral education and provides experience that is beneficial both within and outside academia. Doctoral students may contribute to undergraduate teaching when there is a departmental need for additional teaching staff.
Teaching may be included in departmental duties and can account for up to 20 per cent of working hours. The amount and type of teaching offered vary depending on the department’s needs, as well as the doctoral student's subject area and language skills. When teaching, doctoral students are part of a teaching team and do not hold formal responsibility for a course.
Further information:
- Regulatory documents and action plans | Internal Faculty of Social Sciences
- Information on reading lists, compensation, and course reports
- PhD online handbook by Sweden’s United Student Unions
- Beginner’s Guide to the Swedish Academy by the Young Academy of Sweden
Planning and allocation of teaching
If you are interested in teaching, discuss the matter with your supervisor first. You should then contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Daniel Alfons, who can inform you about available teaching opportunities.
Many doctoral students begin by leading seminars or giving occasional lectures. Teaching responsibilities may gradually increase as experience is gained.
Teachers who require support from a doctoral student should not contact the doctoral student directly. Instead, the need should first be discussed with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Before a teaching assignment is offered, the doctoral student's supervisor should also be involved in the process.
Thesis supervision
Doctoral students may supervise undergraduate theses, primarily at intermediate level. Previous teaching experience is generally an advantage.
If you are interested in thesis supervision, discuss this with your supervisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Daniel Alfons. Doctoral students may also serve as examiners for theses at intermediate level.
Higher education teaching and learning courses
Lund University offers several courses in higher education teaching and learning for teachers and doctoral students. The course Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is mandatory for doctoral students who teach. The course lasts two weeks, and doctoral students receive an extension of employment corresponding to the time spent on the course.
Further information:
Courses in higher education teaching and learning | Internal Faculty of Social Sciences