Why apply for a PhD in Norway?
Commitment to lifelong learning and independent thinking makes Norway a good place to study for a PhD. In fact, the Norwegians have never been afraid of their own way, although things have moved on a bit since the Vikings sailed out in their longboats to colonize Europe, Norway remains an efficient nation. Today, the country’s modern approach to university education embraces a policy of ‘education for all’, meaning that there are no tuition fees for higher education and Norwegians often continue studying throughout their careers. Norwegian Higher University has several internationally ranked and old institutions. The University of Oslo is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world.
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PhDs in the Norwegian University System
Norway has different types of higher education institutions which offer research and education in various fields. The majority are state accredited universities, with seven universities and 22 university colleges covering a range of subject areas. More focused training is provided by nine specialized university institutions and two national colleges of arts. A small number of private institutions offer PhD programs, but the majority of doctoral training and research is conducted at reputable government and university institutions. This means that as a doctoral student in Norway, you will be able to pursue doctoral research at any of the country’s universities, and several university colleges also offer their doctoral programs.
Subject provision at individual universities may vary according to the research strengths and facilities of particular institutions, but doctoral education in all disciplines is available mainly across Norwegian universities. In addition, Norway also provides relatively unique opportunities for research and training in fields that take advantage of the country’s current location at the north of Europe and the edge of the Arctic. Other research programs can be used based on Norway’s strengths in in marine research, energy and climate, medicine and health, food, communication technology, biotechnology, material science and nanotechnology. The Norwegian school year usually runs between August and June, with winter and spring holidays in addition to longer summer holidays. The start date for PhD research may be more flexible than those for taught programs, but you will probably need to enroll at the right time to start any formal training course.
Structure of the course and content of the Norwegian PhD
The organization of Norwegian programs follows the aims and comprehensive standards for European higher education established by the Bologna process, with undergraduate bachelor’s programs followed by postgraduate Master’s, and then PhD degrees. Norway offers two ways to the PhD qualification, which vary depending on the amount of formal academic training and supervision involved. “Organized” PhD (philosophiae doctor) is an approach that is used in most of the cases and is similar to the doctoral programs offered in other parts of Europe. Students enroll for a formal program of study and research that begins with a training component (equivalent to 30 ECTS) that focuses on researching and writing a doctoral thesis under regular academic supervision. These programs typically take about three years to complete, but some take more than four years, of which 25% are reserved for teaching at lower levels of study. Such programs can be a great way to gain formal education and experience in university education alongside with your PhD. Some universities also offer a “free” (doctor philosophiae) degrees. These are similar to the “PhD by portfolio” option offered in some other higher education systems. Students are not registered as PhD candidates and have no institutional affiliation during their research and writing of their thesis. Instead, they apply with a completed thesis that has already been prepared to a sufficient standard for the examination. This form of doctorate is designed for candidates with expertise in their field of study and is a tool for acknowledging this achievement without the need for a formal degree. As a postgraduate student in Norway, you are more likely to enroll in a formal program and pursue an “organized PhD” so you can enter Dr. Philos directly.
Admissions and applications for a Norwegian PhD
To be eligible for a PhD degree in Norway you must have a master’s degree, usually a two-year master’s degree or an equivalent degree from a vocational university such as the School of Psychology, Dentistry, Medicine or Law. As an international student, you must apply to study in Norway in December and mid-March in the academic year prior to enrolling.
Application procedures
Each institution has its own application procedure for doctoral candidates and it is best to contact them directly for information on how to apply. In order to be admitted to a doctoral program, you may need to pay for it in advance or apply for your main program.
Applicants are usually required to write a good project description for their subject area as well as completing any application forms (usually available from the institution’s website). Additional documentation may also be required to support your application. The following are some of the documents that you may be expected to provide:
* Certified copy of all documents related to your educational background.
* Description of your research project, including the amount of time to complete your project.
* A budget plan for the entire contract period (3 – 4 years of full-time study), information about the funding source, the employer (if applicable) and the type of budget (for example, fines or purchase of release time from permanent employment).
* A statement that includes any scientific scale or essential resources.
* The name of at least one proposed academic supervisor is required.
The university may request additional documentation. Admission to the PhD program is usually in a written contract signed by the doctoral candidate, supervisor, academic unit and the faculty. This contract determines the rights and obligations of the parties during the admission period (contract period).
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