Program

The Ph.D. program is designed to produce and facilitate research that makes a significant contribution to understanding. prepare students for careers in research, especially academic research, and university-level teaching. Its focus is on the study of modern and contemporary Islam and Muslims, especially in the Arab world or the Arab diaspora. Dissertations may however be prepared on any area of Arab or Islamic Studies agreed with the dissertation supervisor, subject to approval of the relevant committee. Research environment and supervision Ph.D. students work in three overlapping research environments: That of the Faculty as a whole. Ph.D. work is carried out under the auspices of the The Graduate School of Theology and the Study of Religion. That of The Department of the Study of Religion. Students attend regular research seminars along with other Ph.D. students and faculty in the department. That of the Unit for Arab and Islamic Studies. Students attend regular workshops along with other Ph.D. students and faculty from all departments and faculties in the University.

• Research supervision is available in a variety of areas, especially since dissertations have two supervisors . 
  • The principal supervisor has primary responsibility for the student's program and research, and must be a member of The Department of the Study of Religion with suitable expertise. At present,
    • Thomas Hoffmann is available to supervise students working on Islamic discourses and rituals, especially those using methodology from the study of religion.
    • Lene Kühle is available to supervise students working on all aspects of Islam and Muslims in Europe, especially those using sociological methodology.
    • Martin Riexinger is available to supervise students working on Islam and Muslims in Turkey and South Asia, and on modern Muslim discourses, especially those using methodology from the study of Islam.
    • Mark Sedgwick is available to supervise students working on Islam and Muslims in the Arab world, especially those using historical methodology.
    • Both Lene Kühle and Mark Sedgwick are available to supervise projects relating to modernization and  terrorism.
  • The co-supervisor provides advice and expertise targeted very precisely towards the student's research, whether from a topic-based or a methodological perspective, and may come from any department in the University, or even from another university. At present, several research members of the Unit are available for this purpose.
• If necessary, assistance with Arabic language is available from the Unit's two Arabic teachers.

Admission requirements

• A good first degree and at least one year of a relevant MA program completed to a high standard are required for admission.
• Advanced knowledge of Arabic or of another Islamic language is also required. If necessary, a good intermediate knowledge can be improved as the program progresses.
• Fluency in English, German or Danish is required. Dissertations are normally written in English, but may be written in Danish or German.
  • If the dissertation is submitted in English or German, the summary must be in Danish. Assistance in preparing a Danish summary will be offered to those who do not know Danish. Knowledge of Danish is not expected of students who are not Danish citizens.
  • If the dissertation is written in Danish, it must be accompanied by a summary in English or German.

Program structure

• The program is available in a three-year ("5+3") and a four-year ("4+4") version.
  • The three-year 5+3 version is for students who have already done two years' postgraduate work. Such students proceed directly to the Ph.D. program.
  • The four year 4+4 version is for students who have one year's postgraduate work. Such students proceed to the one-year kandidat program, and then--subject to satisfactory performance--to the Ph.D. program.
• The Ph.D. program consists of
  • One semester's worth (30 ECTS) of course work, taken over several semesters, and consisting of 
    • A number of courses taken by all Ph.D. students, totaling 8 ECTS.
    • Readings of classic and fundamental works ( Værklæsninger ), totaling 7 ECTS. These are arranged as appropriate, and may be carried out under the individual supervision of a senior member of faculty.
    • A number of interdisciplinary and subject-specific courses totaling 15 ECTS, taken in the Faculty of Theology or elsewhere in the University, or at other universities, agreed as appropriate between the student, the supervisor and the Graduate School.c
  • About one semester's worth of teaching.

Fees and funding

• No fees are charged for students who are EU/EEA citizens or have permanent residence in Denmark.
• Fees for other students are in the region of €9,100 a year.
• Funding in the form of generous scholarships is available for a very limited number of very highly qualified students.

See also

• Information for PhD applicants
• Information for enrolled PhD students
• Course programme