Individual study plan and follow-up
Every doctoral student must have an individual study plan (ISP). The individual study plan is a very important material that includes both the commitments of the doctoral student and the University.
The study plan includes, among other things, a timeline and an account of the activities that have been achieved in the doctoral education and its connection to the degree objectives. As a doctoral student, you need to create your individual study plan in Ladok. If you are close to defending your dissertation (autumn 2024), you should use the document template. If you are unsure how to proceed, contact forskarladok@hh.se.
In Ladok, you and your principal supervisor will outline the activities you will undertake, how your supervision will be provided, and other tasks related to your education. Through the system, your individual study plan will then be reviewed by others before the plan is finalised.
Annual update of the study plan
The first individual study plan must be finished no more than three months after the doctoral student has been admitted, and it is the principal supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that this is carried out. After this, the individual study plan is to be updated at least once a year. If necessary, the study plan can be followed up with shorter intervals. The study plan must also be updated prior to application for the licentiate seminar or for the public defence of doctoral thesis. The individual study plan is approved by the relevant School.
How the University implements follow-ups
For all doctoral educations, there are directors of studies that is responsible for monitoring each doctoral student’s study environment and academic performance.
The director of studies is responsible for ensuring that follow-up meetings regarding the doctoral student are carried out each year. These meetings should be attended by the director of studies, the principal supervisor, at least one second supervisor and the doctoral student.
