phd in business in norway

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• Postgraduate studies – PhD
• Our PhD programmes

PhD in Management

We offer a high-quality PhD programme in Management that meets the requirements for present and future management, both nationally and internationally.

Study facts

• Campus: Drammen
• Credits: 180
• Duration: 4 years, with work duty or 3 years full time research
• Teaching Language: English

Admission requirements

Applicants must have an excellent command of written and spoken English. Norwegian or another Scandinavian language will be an advantage. Applicants must have achieved grade B or above to qualify for the programme.

Academic background

Applicants must hold a Master of Science degree in marketing, business, management or equivalent. Students currently enrolled in a master programme are also welcome to apply, but must expect to have earned their degree before the appointment begins.

• How to apply external

About the programme

This programme seeks to bring academic research in management closer to management practice in business, non-profit, and public organisations, thereby focusing research on topics that will generate new knowledge for real world problems.

Solving real world problems

Research can be related to planning, acquiring, developing, organising, leading, and controlling the human, financial, material, intellectual, or intangible resources to achieve organisational objectives efficiently and effectively. These research areas are of high strategic importance as organizations strive to meet evolving challenges and opportunities in an ever increasing global, advanced, and fragmented world.

Academic content

The PhD programme will be based on a broad definition of management as a core and overarching field of research in business schools. The focus will be on management as the process in business, non-profit, and public organisations related to planning, acquiring, developing, organising, leading, and controlling the human, financial, material, intellectual, or intangible resources to achieve organisational objectives efficiently and effectively. 

Management is a broad, yet well-defined field of research within the social sciences that has membership organizations including academics and practitioners, dedicated scientific journals, and academic programmes offered at all levels. Management is a core academic field within any business school and an important element in all study programmes.

The PhD in Management will focus on balancing rigor and relevance. By training students in rigorous execution of research, sustainable business strategy development, and fundamental substantive theories in management-relevant research fields, the programme will provide students with the knowledge and ability to engage in critical thinking with regard to promoting sustainable social development. 

The overall aim of the programme is to produce candidates of the highest international standards who can carry out high-level research suitable for publication in leading academic journals and other outlets and who are capable of addressing research issues important to academia, business practice, and society.

• Leader:   ​​​​​​ Professor Eiri Elvestad , Vice Dean RDI & PhD.  USN School of Business
• Associate professor Birgit Andrine Apenes Solem Department of Business, History and Social Sciences, campus Vestfold
• Professor Anja Hagen Olafsen Department of Business, Marketing and Law, campus Ringerike
• Associate professor Carl Åberg Department of Business, Strategy and Political Science, campus Kongsberg 
• Professor Martin Falk Department of Business and IT, campus Bø 

Department of Health, Social and Welfare Studies, Campus Porsgrunn 

• Ph.d Research Fellow Cathrine Furseth Department of Business, History and Social Sciences, campus Vestfold
• Professor Etty Ragnhild Nilsen  (external member) USN Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, campus Porsgrunn

A study plan describes the content, structure and organization of a study programme. To each study plan there is a set of course plans that describe the different courses. In the course plan you will also find a reading list. Below you will find a study model that shows you which courses that are taught in each term. In the study model you'll also find links to each course plan.

Mandatory and elective courses

The learning component consists of 45 ECTS of which 15 ECTS are mandatory courses; 5 ECTS are individual core courses, and 25 ECTS are elective courses.

Research groups

PhD students enrolled in the program are involved in one of the faculties research groups:

• Collaborative Innovation, Societal transformation and Operations Management
• Digital transformation
• Events, experiences and culture-based industries
• Management Information Systems
• Market and Strategy
• New Perspectives on Work-Life and Organisations
• Political Culture
• Research in Arts and Design (RAAD)
• Research group in Law
• Societal Analysis
• Sustainability Management
• Utdanningspolitikk og utdanningspraksis
• Work Motivation and Optimal Functioning
• Business Management and Economics

PhD candidates

• Our current PhD Candidates

The PhD research fellows in Management are employed at one of the departments and administered by the USN School of Business at  Campus Drammen .

Contact information

Links of interest

Network and partners, relevant news.

The aim of the programme is to qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the department’s subject areas, and for other work that require scientific insight and analytical thinking and skills.

As a PhD student at the school, you become part of an international and ambitious research environment. You get to work closely with renowned researchers, conduct independent research and develop your teaching skills. As a PhD student, you will also participate in one or more of the faculty's research groups.

The School of Economics and Business offers professional specialization in economics, finance, organizational theory, innovation, entrepreneurship and management.

Career opportunities

The PhD programme in Economics and Business shall qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the department’s subject areas, and for other work where there are high demands on scientific insight and analytical thinking. 

Upon completing the doctoral degree, you will be awarded the title PhD (Philosophiae doctor).

Learning outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the PhD programme, the new doctor is expected to:

* Have in-depth knowledge in the chosen subject area and be at the forefront of knowledge within their specific area of research.

* Have in-depth knowledge about scientific theories and methods within the field.

* Be able to assess and analyze different theories, methods and processes in research and academic development projects, also from an international perspective.

* Be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods in the field.

* Be able to formulate research issues, and to plan and conduct research and academic development work of high international standards within the subject area.

* Be able to handle complex scientific questions and to challenge established knowledge and practice in the field.

* Be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods within their subject area, master relevant social science and statistical methods and be able to assess the utility and limitations of different methods.

* Be able to handle complexity, create an overview and synthesize scientific information.

* Be able to perform critical assessments and give constructive criticism on scientific work in their field.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

* Be able to conduct the research with professional and ethical integrity, and to identify new relevant ethical issues.

* Be able to participate in complex interdisciplinary tasks and projects.

* Be able to disseminate research and development work through recognized national and international channels, and to participate in scientific debates in international forums.

* Be able to disseminate the research findings to the authorities and public administration, to companies and organizations, and to the general public through contact with the media.

* Be able to teach students within their subject area or field of specialization.

* Be able to place own research in broad academic and societal contexts.

* Be able to assess the need for and, if required, stimulate innovation in the field.

Exchange possibilities

NMBU facilitates national and international exchanges. Part of the doctoral work or doctoral courses may be taken at other Norwegian or foreign academic institutions when it can be incorporated into the plans, and funding has been secured.

Program structure

ACADEMIC CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

The PhD programme in Economics and Business is based at NMBU¿s School of Economics and Business. The programme is based on the general description of the PhD education at NMBU, and is regulated by the Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Supplementary regulations are given by the department.

The programme has a nominal duration of three years. The programme consists of required coursework and a thesis. The course package must contain a minimum of 45 credits and is put together in collaboration with the candidate, the supervisor and the department (the research committee), depending on the subject area of the thesis and the candidate¿s background and needs.

The coursework must provide knowledge about the forefront of research in the field, i.e. ongoing research and unanswered questions. Courses both at NMBU and other higher education institutions may be included in the degree. Students are also encouraged to spend one to two semesters at recognized universities abroad, if possible.

The thesis usually consists of 3-4 articles, and the candidate must demonstrate through the choice of analysis methods and research issues that he/she is capable of conducting independent research work of high quality. Publishing findings in good international journals is an important goal.

PhD students must submit annual progress reports on a standard form by 1. February every year. Deviations from the plan must be explained. The requirement of a progress report is set out in section 9.1. PhD students and supervisors share responsibility for progress.

All PhD candidates must attend three regular seminars at the Department (see section 9.1): an introductory seminar after approximately 6 months, a midway assessment seminar after approximately 1.5-2 years and a final seminar approximately 6 months before submitting the doctoral thesis. The midway assessment seminar must be carried out in accordance with section 9.2. The seminars are considered to be part of the required coursework and quality assurance of the PhD programme, and will give the students useful feedback for the work ahead.

More about the program

Societal relevance.

The PhD programme in Economics and Business shall qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the department's subject areas, and for other work where there are high demands on scientific insight and analytical thinking. Students must learn to work in accordance with recognized principles of academic and research ethics. The objective of the PhD education is to give candidates knowledge, skills and expertise in line with the Norwegian qualifications framework.

Learning activities

MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE KNOWLEDGE

* The required coursework of at least 45 academic credits, which offers comprehensive in-depth competence.

* Reading and keeping updated on literature within their field of specialization.

* Completing an independent work of research of international standard.

MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE SKILLS

* Participating in planning and shaping the PhD project in detail and, if applicable, participating in the planning of new project applications.

* Supervision and own research, where the PhD candidate actively benefits from the competence of the supervisory team.

* Developing his/her own international academic network.

* Attending courses on research methods and writing when relevant.

* Working on publications, submissions to journals and handling comments from referees.

* Working on the thesis.

* Participating in peer review of scientific manuscripts, giving feedback on colleagues' manuscripts.

* Attending seminars where other PhD students' and researchers' ideas and results are discussed.

MEANS OF ACHIEVING GENERAL COMPETENCE

* Taking a course on research ethics and philosophy of science with a scope of at least 5 credits.

* Supervision and own research.

* Working on publications and the thesis.

* The trial lecture. The trial lecture requires familiarization with a specified topic quickly, time management, searching for / selecting / evaluating / processing information, and giving an oral presentation of this topic.

* Presenting own research findings at national and international scientific conferences.

* Giving lectures at conferences and scientific meetings.

* Giving interviews on radio and TV, in newspapers or other journals.

Examination

The degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) is conferred on the basis of:

* Approved completion of the required coursework

* An approved doctoral thesis

* An approved trial lecture on a specified topic

* An approved public defense of the doctoral thesis (disputation)

Arrangements students from partner universities

Study advisor(s) :.

Kirsti Pettersen

• Norwegian Bokmål
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Doctoral degrees

Do you want to contribute to the development of new professional knowledge at an international level in your field? A doctoral degree from Nord University qualifies both for a further academic career and for other professions with high requirements for competence and scientific insight.

Nord University offers four PhD programmes within the university's five faculties. A PhD education is a structured degree programme that is standardized to three years of full-time studies. Some doctoral positions include a fourth year of mandatory work.

The research related to the doctoral programmes supports the overall study portfolio as well as the university's profile areas .

The faculties have specific additional information for each individual study program.

To be admitted to the doctoral education, you must have a scientific master's degree of at least 120 credits or another completed higher degree equivalent to a Norwegian master's degree. It is expected that you have a strong academic background with a satisfactory grade point average.

Education from abroad

If you have education from abroad, an assessment will be made during the application process. The education must correspond to a Norwegian scientific two-year master's degree. The documentation must be translated into English or a Scandinavian language. Alternatively, you can contact HK-dir (Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills) for an assessment of your education.

Our four PhD programmes have slightly different academic admission requirements. The other qualification requirements also vary between the doctoral programmes and depend on the specific doctoral positions to be filled.

For more detailed information about the requirements, please refer to the respective PhD programme's website and job advertisements.

Admission requirements

In order to be admitted to the PhD programme, it is further required that you have sufficient funding (see the Financing section), an approved project description, and a schedule for completing the doctoral education.

Admission to our PhD programmes is ongoing and is based on individual applications, which must include the following attachments:

• Documentation of completed scientific master's degree (120 credits) or equivalent higher degree from abroad.
• Project description.
• Statement on any legal and ethical issues raised by the project and how they can be resolved.
• Data Management Plan ( DMP ).
• Proposal for at least one supervisor, and affiliation with an active research environment.

For a complete list, please refer to the PhD regulations § 6-2. (pdf)

Only candidates with satisfactory funding for the entire doctoral education can apply for admission to the doctoral programme. The funding should cover both living expenses (salary) and operational costs related to the research.

There are mainly two ways to obtain funding for a PhD project. First and foremost, you can apply for and secure a doctoral position at Nord University. Doctoral positions are advertised under Vacant Positions on our website. Private financing such as personal or family funds, pensions, or similar sources are not accepted as funding for admission to the organised doctoral education.

You can also obtain a doctoral position or other type of PhD funding at another university, college, or research institute. Some of these positions will be advertised, while others may involve being released from your current employer in private companies or public institutions.

Research Council of Norway

It is also possible to seek funding through the Research Council of Norway's scheme for industrial PhD or public sector PhD, or educational scholarships from various national and international organisations.

You can also approach potential employers in your field of interest and jointly seek funding for your project. Regardless of the form of funding, it is expected that all candidates who are admitted have normally competed for funds that have been openly advertised.

Annual budget

In addition to salary, doctoral candidates employed at Nord University will receive an annual budget to cover the project's operational costs. It will also be possible to apply for additional funding, such as for international mobility. At the time of admission, there should be an understanding between the candidate and the employer/funding source that the planned expenses for the doctoral project do not exceed the available operational funds for the project.

A PhD programme is a structured and supervised degree programme standardised to three years of full-time study. The programme consists of:

• A thesis based on independent research
• A training component comprising relevant courses
• Participation in national and international research environments
• Relevant academic dissemination
• Final doctoral examination, including a trial lecture and a public defense

A PhD study programme requires a high degree of independence and the ability to carry out one's own research project. Some PhD positions include a fourth year with mandatory tasks, usually in the form of teaching or research and project assistance.

PhD candidates are encouraged to conduct parts of the programme abroad, either through research stays or by taking portions of the training component in foreign institutions. PhD candidates are expected to actively participate in international conferences. Candidates who write an article-based thesis are expected to publish in international journals and co-publish nationally and internationally.

Nord University has a common regulation for the PhD degree across all doctoral programmes:

• Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at Nord University (English) (pdf)

All activities related to the PhD programmes are subject to these regulations. In addition, each programme has its own supplementary provisions. The supplementary provisions may be stricter than the regulations but cannot relax the provisions stated in the regulations. The PhD regulations shall apply in case of any dispute regarding the interpretation of the content on this website and the provisions in the regulations.

Links to the supplementary guidelines for the programmes:

PhD in Biosciences

PhD in Business

PhD in Sociology

PhD in Science of Professions

All PhD programmes have a training component. An overview of courses and seminars, including mandatory and elective ones, as well as the organisation of the training component, can be found on the respective program pages.

Our PhD candidates can take PhD courses at Nord University. If the university does not offer the entire training component itself, arrangements will be made for the candidate to complete equivalent training at other institutions, nationally or internationally.

Please note that it is possible to take courses from a different programme than the one you are enrolled in, but make sure to check in advance if the course can be approved as part of your training component.

During the training period, it is expected that candidates enhance their knowledge of scientific theory, research methods, and research ethics. The development of skills in communicating research results is also required as part of the training.

Most of our courses are open to external applicants enrolled in other PhD programmes both nationally and internationally. Refer to the programme pages to find out which courses are offered and contact the course coordinator to inquire about availability.

Refer to each programme for requirements regarding the number of credits and the academic composition.

Form for application for admission

Application form for admission to a PhD programme at Nord University​ (MS Word)

Form for PhD candidates who have already been admitted

Standard Admission Agreement June 2022 (English, pdf)​

The agreement is completed in collaboration with the faculty's PhD coordinator

Forms related to doctoral defense

Application for assessment of a doctoral dissertation (MS Word)

Declaration describing the research contribution (MS Word)

PhD on Track (literature, references, publishing) is an online resource primarily aimed at PhD candidates and early-career researchers. Its goal is to provide easier access to information on searching and reviewing scholarly literature, academic writing, and sharing and publishing reports and data. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) support researchers at all stages of their careers, regardless of age and nationality. Researchers working across all disciplines are eligible for funding.

MSCA also promotes collaboration between industry and academia and provides innovative training to enhance employability and career development. MSCA is important for seeking and gaining experience in research projects, as well as facilitating international research stays. The Vancouver Recommendations , also known as the Vancouver Convention or Vancouver Guidelines, were developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) . They provide practical and ethical guidelines for authors. Among other things, the Helsinki Declaration must be followed, and the research project must be approved by an independent ethics committee. The convention is used by over 500 medical journals worldwide and serves as a guideline for co-authorship in all fields at Nord University. Erasmus+

As a PhD student, you are eligible to receive an Erasmus+ grant for a mobility period abroad. Erasmus+ is the European Commission's programme for mobility in education.

Depending on whether you are registered as a student or as an employee ("stipendiat"), you can receive a grant either as a student or as an employee. If you are both a student and an employee, then you can choose either option. See Intranet (iNord) for further information or contact the administrative PhD coordinator at your faculty.

The National Research Ethics Committee s are independent bodies responsible for research ethics issues and investigations of research misconduct across all disciplines.

Research ethics guidelines at Nord University emphasize respect for the human dignity and rights of research participants. The welfare and integrity of participants are fundamental and take precedence over the interests of science and society. Research ethics regulations are an essential aspect of conducting academic research at universities. These regulations are in place to ensure that research studies are carried out in an ethical and responsible manner.

The National Research Course Portal provides an overview of PhD courses in the social science subjects offered at Norwegian universities. The website is the result of a national project on the coordination of PhD courses within the Social Sciences, initiated by the National Conference of Faculties of the Social Sciences.

Vitae (Researcher careers) is a global organisation that supports the professional development of researchers. They work with institutions to achieve research excellence, innovation, and impact. Vitae collaborates with researchers, higher education institutions, research organisations, research funders, and other stakeholders to realize the potential of researchers.

Nord Open Research Archive is the university's open digital repository. According to Nord's Open Access (OA) policy , all scientific journal articles should be made available in the repository through self-archiving.

If you have published in a subscription-based journal, archiving the accepted manuscript version (green OA) is a pathway to open publishing (open access) . The full text should be uploaded in the correct version in Cristin; the University Library (UB) checks the rights before making it accessible. Detailed information about article versions and self-archiving can be found on the UB's website.

According to the university's PhD regulations § 17-3 , all PhD theses should also be deposited in the research archive (read more about the publication of PhD theses ).

Cristin (Current Research Information System In Norway) is Norway's research information system. All scientific publications should be registered in Cristin, and other research-related activities (e.g., conference contributions, opinion pieces) can also be registered. In Cristin, you can also upload full-text scientific publications (articles, book chapters, books) and doctoral theses.

The files are then transferred to the university's research archive, Nord Open Research Archive . The University Library checks the publisher's self-archiving guidelines before making the publication available in the archive.

NDS Privacy Services ' main task is to assist institutions in fulfilling legal obligations related to internal control and quality assurance of their own research.

The General Data Protection Regulation requires that all processing of personal data should be documented. NDS offers:

• Preliminary assessment of research projects involving the processing of personal data
• Follow-up during project changes, expansions, and project completion
• Guidance, training, and informational materials for researchers, students, administration, and management
• Access to tools for managing and controlling the institution's processing of personal data, such as the Message Archive, to ensure internal control of research
• Guidance to research subjects regarding their rights
• Public overview of projects processing personal data.

The Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK) are authorized by the Research Ethics Act and the Health Research Act. REK assesses whether research is conducted in a responsible manner. This involves weighing the benefits and risks and assessing whether privacy is safeguarded.

REK must grant prior approval for:

• Medical and health research projects
• General research biobanks
• Waivers of confidentiality for other types of research

If you are unsure whether your project requires prior approval, you can submit a preliminary assessment. This provides REK with a basis for further guidance.

From Idea to Publication. The Research Handbook is a handbook for medical and health research developed by Oslo University Hospital in collaboration with Haukeland University Hospital, but it also provides advice and tips applicable to other disciplines.

Euraxess is an international researcher mobility portal for job and funding searches, career development, international partnerships, and general information about living and working as a researcher abroad.

Research Council of Norway's research programmes provide an overview of programs or activities that focus on targeted research efforts to generate new knowledge and innovation in a specific field. This can include a discipline, theme, and/or industry.

Research schools are networks for doctoral candidates that offer courses, subjects, seminars, and contribute to networking among the candidates. Nord University is a part of several research schools in various fields of study.

NRSH - The Norwegian Research School in History (NRSH)

DIGIT - The Norwegian Research School on Digitalization, Culture, and Society

PROFRES - The Research School for Practice-oriented and Profession-related Research

NORSI - The Norwegian Research School in Innovation

TBLR - The national research school Text, Image, Sound, Space

The Norwegian Graduate School in Mathematics and Science Education

The National Graduate School Photosyntech

MUNI-HEALTH-CARE

At Nord University, the academic and administrative responsibility for the PhD education is delegated to the faculties. Therefore, questions regarding the PhD program should be directed to the faculty that administers the program you are interested in.

The program coordinator, usually a professor, has overall responsibility for the program, while the administrative coordinator provides administrative support.

PhD in Aquatic Biosciences

Academic responsible:  Steinar Daae Johansen   Administrative coordinator:  Jeanett Stegen

Academic responsible:  Johans Tveit Sandvin Administrative coordinator:  Anneli Maria Watterud

Academic responsible:  Elena Dybtsyna

Academic responsible:  Anne Marit Valle Administrative coordinator (FLU):  Geir Øystein Fjeldavli Administrative coordinator (FSH):  Synnøve Dalmo Tollåli

Department of Research and Development

The Department of Research and Development assists the faculties with common administrative tasks.

Administrative contacts:

Sissel Marit Jensen Grete Ingemann Knudsen

If you wish to pursue a PhD at Nord University, you can apply for an advertised position. See available positions below.

The degree Dr. Philos. (doctor philosophiae) is awarded to academics who have qualified themselves for a doctoral degree without formal supervision. The degree has no normalised timeframe and candidates do not have a relationship with the institut​ion prior to having their doctoral examination approved.

Our PhD programmes

Phd handbook.

The handbook provides information about and regulations for the PhD education that are relevant for potential and current PhD candidates, supervisors and others involved in the PhD education at Nord University.

• PhD Study in Norway - A Guide for 2024

Written by Chris Banyard

Studying a PhD in Norway has lots of advantages. Norway has many natural resources and a strong economy yet maintains a welcoming and forward-thinking culture. This is exemplified by its excellent higher education system, which delivers admirable teaching and research. Norway has a small number of universities, yet they often outperform what may be expected of them. Significantly, Norwegian public universities offer free education for their students.

This guide covers everything you’ll need to know about doctoral study in Norway, including information about Norwegian universities, PhD course structure, applications, funding and visas.

PhD opportunities in Norway – what’s on offer for 2024?

Known as a ‘knowledge nation’, Norway prides itself on lifelong learning. Despite the small size of its higher education system, Norway has many world-leading universities that deliver high-quality education.

The country has also produced some amazing artists, thinkers and scientists such as Ludvig Holberg, Edvard Munch, Roald Amundsen, Magnus Carlsen and no less than 13 Nobel Prize winners.

A Norwegian PhD also enables you to study in a beautiful country, with an array of unique natural phenomena that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

There are some fantastic reasons to find your PhD in Norway:

• No tuition fees – There are no tuition fees in the Norwegian Higher Education system. PhD researchers are considered employees and you will earn a doctoral salary and associated worker’s rights
• Happiness – Norway is regularly ranked as a country with the best quality of life in the world
• Natural beauty – Norway is also one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The serene fjords, Arctic tundra, Northern Lights and solar spectacles make it a great place for you to study
• English-speakers – English is widely spoken to an excellent standard in Scandinavia
• Egalitarian society – Equality is a key value of modern Norwegian society, making a it a safe and forward-thinking destination for study
• Unique research location – Norway’s distinctive position between Europe and the Arctic means it can offer specialised training a research in areas such as marine research, energy and climate, medicine and health, food, communication technology, biotechnology, materials science and nanotechnology

And, of course, as an international student in Norway you can imagine yourself carrying on the traditions of Viking adventurers and Polar explorers with your doctoral research (dog-sleds and longboats are optional).

PhD life in Norway

Want to know more about what it's like to live in Norway during a PhD? Our detailed guide covers everything from accommodation and living costs to culture and entertainment.

Norwegian universities

There are four main types of university institution in Norway. The majority are public and state-run but there are a range of private institutions too. Most doctoral students will study at public universities.

• Universities are the main higher education research and teaching institution in Norway. They usually offer a range of postgraduate degrees and have extensive academic powers enabling them to accredit their own programmes. There are ten universities in Norway.
• Specialised universities are much like standard universities but offer postgraduate courses in a focused area of research. There are three of these institutions in Norway.
• University colleges are very similar to universities, except that they are private institutions and must apply for external accreditation. Eight university colleges are accredited.
• Private specialised universities are private higher education institutions in Norway that provide courses in specialised areas of research. Like university colleges, they also require external accreditation. Three private specialised universities are accredited.

Norwegian university cities

There are several cities in Norway with one or more universities and large numbers of students:

• Study in Oslo
• Study in Bergen
• Study in Trondheim
• Study in Tromsø
• Study in Kristiansand

Norwegian university rankings

Although Norway is a small country, its higher education system can challenge those of larger nations and a significant number of Norwegian universities feature in international ranking tables.

Top universities in Norway for PhD study

Here's a little more about the best-ranked universities in Norway, according to the Times Higher Education 2023 World Rankings.

Unviversity of Oslo

Established in 1811, the University of Oslo is a leading research institution in the heart of Norway's capital. Though all of its undergraduate courses are taught in Norweigan, it offers English-taught Masters degrees and PhDs. Oslo is located at the end of the 100km-long Oslo Fjord and is surrounded by stunning forests, hills and coastlines, making it the perfect destination for nature lovers!

University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a research-instensive university in Norway's second-largest city. It is particularly well-known for its natural science research in areas such as marin biology and climate change. It educates over 20,000 students, and has a thriving international community with around half of doctoral candidates originating from outside of Norway.

Norweigan University of Science and Technology

The Norweigan University of Science and Technology is an internationally-oriented university offering postgraduate courses in English. Its research priorities are mainly in science and technology, but it offers programmes across a wide range of disciplines including arts and humanities.

UiT The Artic University of Norway

UiT is Norway's northernmost university, located on the very edge of the Artic region, which makes it an ideal destination for environmental and climate research. UiT is at the heart of Tromsø, the largest city in northern Norway, which spans two islands.

Accreditation

The state-run public higher education institutes of Norway (universities and specialised universities) have self-accreditation rights and can organise and award their own degrees. Private institutions must have their postgraduate degrees accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT). NOKUT has a key role in the governance of all higher education institutions.

PhD structure

Norwegian PhD programmes are third-cycle qualifications following the Bologna process . As such, you will be required to perform research and write a PhD thesis.

Often, PhDs in Norway follow a structured format . This typically involves a training component prior to commencing your doctoral research and thesis writing. You may also be considered a university employee with accompanying employment rights. In this case, you will have teaching and administrative responsibilities to uphold.

A typical full-time PhD in Norway lasts three years . However, for a structured PhD programme with institutional duties and specialist training, you may be employed by your university for four years .

Supervision

Much like in the UK, doctoral students will have a senior researcher as a supervisor. They will regularly oversee and evaluate your research work, project progression and thesis writing. You may also have additional supervisors with specific responsibilities.

Assessment and examination

Your PhD thesis will be read by a committee of at least three senior academics, with a minimum of one external examiner. After the thesis has been examined and approved by the committee, your research must be defended orally through at least one lecture and a public thesis defence before a reviewing committee of institutional opponents.

Fees and funding

An important and appealing aspect of PhD study in Norway is that tuition is free for all students. However, the country has a high cost of living. Therefore, some form of maintenance funding is usually necessary.

Norwegian PhD fees

There are no tuition fees to pay for PhD programmes at universities in Norway. However, at many Norwegian universities you will be expected to pay a €50-100 fee to the student’s union each semester for membership and a student card.

Norwegian PhD funding

Although tuition fees for PhD study are normally free , Norway has a high cost of living. Most doctoral candidate subsidise this either through university employment (and the associated responsibilities) or through part-time work.

However, there are also a limited number of funding opportunities for international students. These are usually intended to corer maintenance costs during your study. Many of these scholarship and grants have important restrictions and prerequisites that should be noted. Examples include:

• EEA / Norway Grants are offered to EEA students studying in Norway.
• The Anglo-Norse Society in London offers bursaries and grants to British students studying in Norway.
• The Erasmus+ scheme can provide funding and Erasmus loans for EEA students studying abroad.

Applying for a PhD in Norway

PhD applications in Norway are processed by individual research institutions. Therefore, the requirements, documentation and deadlines for doctoral programme applications can vary between institutions . Applications should also be made directly to the prospective university .

Admission requirements

PhD applicants in Norway must have a Masters degree in a relevant subject area. A corresponding degree may be acceptable – you can check the eligibility of your qualifications at the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).

The specific application requirements vary between research institutions . You should always check with your prospective university.

PhD candidates will usually be required to write a good research proposal or project description and complete relevant application forms. You may also be required to provide other typical PhD application documents . Some additional materials that may be required could include:

• Certified copies of all documents relevant to your educational background
• A funding plan for your studies (for the full 3-4 years of full-time study, plus information about the funding source and type)
• A statement describing any significant scholarly or material resource requirements
• The name of at least one proposed academic supervisor (unless stipulated otherwise)

PhD entry requirements

The general eligibility criteria for PhD applications in Norway is similar to most other countries in the Europe. Our guide explains entry requirements for a prospective PhD student.

Language requirements

Most PhD programmes in Norway are taught in English. Prospective doctoral candidates from non-native English-speaking countries will need to submit scores of English language tests . The test and scores required can vary between different Norwegian research institutions and may even differ depending on the doctoral programme.

Some PhD programmes may be taught in Norwegian. Similarly, the scores of Norwegian language tests will need to be submitted for non-native Norwegian speakers. The scores required differ depending on research institution and programme of study. Even if Norwegian is not the language of instruction, proficiency in Norwegian will come in useful academically and in daily life.

Application process

In Norway, PhD programme applications are formal job applications . To complete admission, a written contract must be signed between the doctoral candidate, your supervisor, and the university or The Research Council of Norway (or an industry partner / funder, if appropriate).

You can find opportunities for PhD study in Norway on individual Norwegian university websites or browse current PhD projects in Norway .

Student visas

Norway is a welcoming country for PhD students, and this is reflected by the relatively simple immigration process. Doctoral candidates will still need to obtain some important travel documents.

Visa information for UK students in Norway

UK students will no longer be EU citizens from the 2021-22 academic year onwards. This means you may be considered as an international student when studying in Norway. You may be subject to different visa requirements and fee rates, unless otherwise stated.

Norwegian visas

PhD students from EU / EEA / Switzerland will not need a visa to travel to Norway; other international students will require a visa to enter the country.

In Norway, visas are only valid for a period of up to 90 days. Instead, you will require a student residence permit, health insurance and a Norwegian identity number.

Your prospective university will be able to advise and assist you with your visa process. More information can also be found at your nearest Norwegian foreign embassy .

Student residence permit

In order to study a PhD in Norway for more than three months, you may require a student residence permit.

For doctoral candidates from EU / EEA nations , you will only need to register with the local police within the first three months of living in Norway.

For doctoral candidates from non-EU / EEA nations , you will need to apply for a student residence permit . To be eligible for this you will need approximately €12,925 to cover living costs. If you are studying at a private university and will be paying tuition fees, you will need additional funds to cover these, too. This money will usually need to be deposited into a Norwegian bank account. There is also a processing fee of around €560 for each application.

Doctoral candidates from Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden) are only required to report their residence to the National Registry .

Health insurance

All doctoral candidates require a form of health insurance to access medical treatment in Norway.

EU / EEA / Swiss students that hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are eligible for health treatment in Norway. If you do not have an EHIC, you must have another form of medical insurance.

Non-EU / EEA / Swiss international PhD students (who are studying in Norway for more than one year) will be insured under the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme upon registering at a research institution and receiving a student residence permit.

Nordic students (Danish, Finnish, Icelandic and Swedish) automatically become entitled to healthcare upon registering in the National Population Register.

Norwegian identity number

To live in Norway for more than six months, you will also be required to report your move and receive a Norwegian Identity Number. To do this, you must book an appointment at a Norwegian Tax Office before you move in order to report your relocation within eight days of arrival.

The documents that are usually required to report you move are:

• Your passport or national ID card
• Police registration certificate
• Property contract (purchase or rental)
• Employment contract (for employed PhD students)
• Confirmation of study place offer
• Any other additional documents (this will be requested by the Norwegian Tax Administration)

This will enable you to open a Norwegian bank account and receive a student card.

Studying a PhD in Norway provides an opportunity for globally-recognised high-quality research and should be a considerable qualification for future work.

As an employed doctoral researcher in Norway, you will receive professional experience of Norwegian work that will be useful for future endeavours.

Norway welcomes international workers, and the immigration process is relatively simple. The country has a highly-regarded welfare and social system with many benefits.

Can I work in Norway after my PhD?

It is normally possible to continue to work in Norway once your doctoral programme is completed. In addition to the other international documents outlined in the student visas section , you will also need to:

• Have a tax deduction card
• Submit tax returns
• Receive tax assessment notices

More information can be found at the Norwegian Tax Administration or at New in Norway .

Find a PhD in Norway

Ready to start browsing some current PhD opportunities in Norway ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to PhD study abroad .

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PhD education

A PhD degree is the highest level of formalized education in Norway.

A doctoral degree from NTNU qualifies you to a range of positions both in the private and public sector. Though academia has traditionally been the main career path, an increasing number of doctors are going into leading positions in the private sector.

The doctoral education at NTNU is structured in various PhD programmes and gaining access to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for completing a PhD.

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KRYSSPUBLISERT - PhD - Admission and financing - ID 1295482685 (sharing)

In addition to a master's degree or equivalent and a strong academic record, financing is an absolute requirement for admission to a PhD programme . Funding can be both through NTNU and other sources. Available PhD positions at NTNU are continuously posted online.

Programme components

The PhD education is a structured degree with a nominal duration of three-year full-time study . Some PhD positions may include a fourth year of required duties, usually in the form of teaching, this will be detailed in your employee contract if applicable.

• The programme consists of at least 30 ECTS of coursework, and an independent academic work in the form of a doctoral thesis estimated to 2.5 years.
• A PhD degree requires a great deal of independence and capacity for completion
• The final thesis should contribute to the development of new scientific knowledge and meet international standards in the field
• PhD education at NTNU is internationally oriented
• You are expected to contribute to international conferences and publish in international peer-reviewed journals
• It is possible to complete part of your studies abroad, either in the form of a prolonged research stay or by completing some of your courses abroad

KRYSSPUBLISERT - PhD - Dr.philos. degree - ID 1295512303 (sharing)

Dr.philos. degree.

It is possible to complete a doctoral degree outside of a structured PhD education. This is called a dr.philos. degree and is a completely independent non-supervised academic work where your first formal contact with the university will be upon handing in your thesis.

Joint PhD course database

A number of joint projects have been launched to support the vision of Nordic Five Tech as an extended campus. One of them is this joint PhD course database . The aim of this initiative is to increase mobility for our PhD students within the five universities and further strengthen the alliance by encouraging more research cooperation.

If you are a PhD student at one of the Nordic Five Tech universities you do not have to pay for participating in courses registered in this database . Please note that the database also includes non-technical PhD courses.

* Nordic Five Tech universities is an alliance of the five leading technical universities in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

• Chalmers University Of Technology , Gothenburg, Sweden
• Aalto University , Helsinki, Finland (Former Helsinki University Of Technology, TKK)
• Norwegian University of Science And Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
• Royal Institute Of Technology (KTH) , Stockholm, Sweden
• Technical University Of Denmark (DTU) , Lyngby, Denmark

Doctoral awards ceremony

New doctors

krysspublisert ID: 1263188355 For existing PhD candidates

For existing phd candidates.

• PhD Handbook
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Resources for Postdoctoral Fellows

Vacancies at NTNU  – also about working at NTNU and practical information.

Research and Innovation

• Faculties and departments with research groups
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Oslo PhD Initiative in Economics

The Oslo PhD Initiative in Economics is a cooperation between BI Norwegian Business School (BI) and the University of Oslo (UiO) to make Oslo one of the most attractive places to do a PhD in Economics and Business Economics in Europe.

The Initiative has two pillars which draw on faculty excellence from both departments. Pillar One consists of a common PhD research seminar, in which PhD candidates from both departments interact and discuss their on-going research ideas under the guidance of two faculty from the two departments. Pillar Two consists of a broad set of elective courses offered by both departments, which span all fields on the research frontier in Economics, and which PhD candidates at the two departments can take.

BI Department of Economics:

• Courses at BI
• PhD specialisation in Economics at BI

UiO Department of Economics :

• Courses at UiO
• PhD specialisation in Economics at UiO

Useful links

• Tips 4 Economists by Masayuki Kudamatsu
• Research Advice by Keith Head   
• Ten Commandments for How to Give a Seminar by Kjetil Storesletten
• Jesse M. Shapiro - How to give an applied micro talk
• Rachael Meager - Public Speaking for Academic Economists
• Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham - Beamer Tips
• Eliana La Ferrara - How to present your job market paper
• Carmine Gallo - How to Rehearse for an Important Presentation
• Marc F. Bellemare - 22 Tips for Conference and Seminar Presentations

PhD programmes

As a PhD candidate at OsloMet, you can expect a high-quality research education in a supportive academic environment.

At OsloMet, you will be a full-fledged member of our research community and will join a supportive and diverse community of academics. We have a large and growing number of international doctoral candidates and are committed to attracting talented aspiring researchers from around the world.

Many alumni of our PhD programmes pursue careers in academia, while others go on to high-level careers in the public and private sector—both in Norway and around the world.

PhD candidates in Norway are not students, but employees. Research fellows who are employed by a Norwegian university can expect some of the best working conditions in the world. As you work toward your doctoral degree, you will enjoy a good salary and a host of benefits, including five weeks of paid holiday.

You can also pursue a PhD at OsloMet while working for a different employer, either in Norway or elsewhere in the world.

• Pilestredet Campus, Oslo

All of our PhD positions are publicly advertised. You can view current available PhD positions in our job portal. 

• Job openings

Interested in learning more?

You can find detailed information about our PhD programmes, including application procedures and how to apply for funding, on our employee website. 

• Admission and funding (ansatt.oslomet.no)
• Getting started (ansatt.oslomet.no)
• During your PhD (ansatt.oslomet.no)
• Completion of your PhD (ansatt.oslomet.no)

Life in Oslo

Are you considering applying for a PhD or academic position at a Norwegian university? We asked the experts—our own international employees—for their advice on how to navigate the transition to working in Norway.

What defines quality of life in a city? Is it the availability of good restaurants, bars and entertainment options? Or is it easy access to unspoilt nature? In Oslo, you don’t have to choose between the two—we have plenty of both.

The sun doesn't set until close to midnight, and even then it never really gets dark. You can spend the evening watching the light change at an outdoor café with friends, or go for a relaxing swim in the fjord alone. Oslo in the summer is a pretty magical place.

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Doctoral degree (PhD)

After completing the master's degree it is possible to continue with a doctoral degree (PhD degree). The doctoral education has a nominal length of three years and takes place within the framework of an organized programme.

The doctoral education consists of a dissertation and an educational component. The educational component comprises at least 30 credits of the programme. Within the programme there are opportunities for study abroad periods, interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in research schools.

By the end of the doctoral education, the PhD degree is awarded based on the following:

1. Satisfactory completion of the educational component. 2. An approved scientific dissertation. 3. Satisfactory performance on the PhD examination.

The PhD examination consists of a trial lecture and public defence of the dissertation.

Go to Doctoral degree and career opportunities

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Take a PhD at UiB!

PhD education gives you the possibility of working in academia and doing in-depth research on the field of your interest. A need for challenging research in climate change combined with the prospects of a good work-life balance brought Ina Nagler from Austria and the Netherlands to a PhD programme in Bergen. 

Main content

Originally from Austria, Ina considered several options before she ended up on the west coast of Norway. She has always had a fascination for the country, but the research environment was more decisive.  - I also knew that the salary was good, and that work-life balance was valued. I believe that you should enjoy what you’re doing, without working yourself to death, says Ina. 

Super-nice work environment

In Austria PhDs are paid little and used as cheap labour, Ina explains. In Norway, PhDs are paid an ordinary salary.  Her work is on climate change, which is a big, cross-disciplinary topic at the University of Bergen.  - I am working on how climate change will affect our ocean currents. And I am specifically looking at the North Atlantic subpolar gyre.  This gyre is a cold, circulating ocean current south of Iceland, Greenland and the coast of Canada.  - I am looking for changes in the ocean circulation in models, and then I will look for similar processes in paleo reconstructions.  She will specifically look at how the subpolar gyre interacts with the rest of the system during changes. There will be signs of these processes in paleo archives found in sediments on the sea bottom. This can confirm both if the climate models are working well, and if the interpretation of paleo-data is correct. 

People are all very friendly and welcoming. When I accepted the job offer, I felt like it could provide me with this challenge that I need to thrive, but also a general feeling of belonging and contentment, in a way

- A direct comparison of the physical processes within models and paleo data has not been done yet and may lead to surprises. 

Ina has only positive things to say about her colleagues: - It’s a super-nice work environment. I’m part of the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, so I came quickly in contact with different scientist working on the big issues of climate change. People know each other, and you can just go and talk with them. People are all very friendly and welcoming.  When I got the job, the deciding factor was the feeling that I got during the interview. It was a committee of five people, and I felt like they could provide me with this challenge that I need to thrive, but also a general feeling of belonging and contentment, in a way. Happiness!

Would you like to read more about Ina's experience? Click here to continue

- And I love being by the sea and in the craziest nature at the same time! Bergen is still big enough that you don’t feel that there is nothing to do. I was a bit scared about the night life and a lack of cultural experiences, but I have found that there are nice places to go to, and the cultural life is surprisingly good. 

Although working hard on her project she doesn’t work excessively long hours.  - I am surprised how much you are encouraged to take time off. I normally start at 8 am every day, and go home at 4 pm, she says.  There are many other PhDs at the university, and Ina normally has lunch with the others on her floor.  - We’re like 8 people, and we go on weekend trips and hikes together, and we drink together. There’s a huge international culture here. So even if you’re an international student here you don’t have to be afraid to be alone. Some people say it’s difficult to get in touch with Norwegians, but personally, I haven’t experienced this.

Ina recommends a PhD in Bergen for other students:  - Given that you’re confident about working independently, and that you feel at ease with your supervisor: Sure! And the most important thing is that you like to dive into a topic and enjoy finding out new things so much that you will endure setbacks that might come.  The mix of staff was a positive experience for her:  - I am surprised by how many female staff there are here in Bergen. There is still room for improvement, but the university is clear on wanting to improve the still existing gender imbalance.

She has meetings with her supervisor once a week.  - I was afraid of not knowing how to do a PhD. But my supervisor told me from the beginning that we’re together on this, and he helps me. 

Ina also tries to communicate with as many of her colleagues as possible, both PhDs and post-docs, and she gets tips from them on what they would have done differently in their PhDs.  - But I haven’t started teaching yet. But there is a PhD forum where you meet once a month and learn skills. We had one seminar on mental well-being, but also one on how to write a CV. Last month they went to a mountain and made a fire, so it’s diverse! If you want, you can go to a seminar every day. 

Now, she has a good feeling about her whole PhD.  - I feel confident about the work on my project. To be a PhD you need to be sure that you can work independently. And if you have a good supervisor by your side, there is nothing that can go wrong!

Why become a doctoral candidate at UiB?

Do you have a master’s degree, and want to pursue your research interest even further? Do you like varied work with the chance of doing research, dissemination and teaching?

PhD education gives you the possibility of working in academia and doing in-depth research on the field of your interest. You will be paid during the three or four years of your doctoral education.

How is the workday?

As a PhD candidate, you will work in an environment of committed research colleagues. You will be able to decide on your work schedule, as long as you are not engaged in PhD courses, teaching, conferences or deadlines in the project.

You will be trained to become a highly skilled analytic. At the same time, you will meet students through teaching duties and solve research questions with others in your research group – answers to questions that will provide an impact on society.  

You will be able to travel abroad for research stays, join national and international conferences where you meet passionate researchers within your own field.

At UiB you will work in an egalitarian structure, where you will be given responsibility and shown confidence from the head of research.

Motivated? Skills to make you prosper

In order to succeed as a PhD candidate, you need to be structured and take initiatives. You need to see the value of teamwork. It is definitely an asset if you enjoy teaching and dissemination. In return, PhD education gives you a lot of opportunities!  

Your rights as an employee

As a PhD research fellow, you receive a salary and obtain temporary staff employee rights. If you become a parent or become ill, you have the right to take paid leave from your research. Thus, the end-date of your fellowship will become extended.

How to apply for admission to the PhD programme?

Admission requires that you have completed a Master’s education, normally of at least five years. Full funding is also required, in addition to a PhD project description. The remaining requirements differ between faculties, academic fields and the specific PhD research fellow vacancy. For more information on faculty-specific requirements, please see faculty-list out to the right on this page.

Broadly speaking there are two ways to fund your PhD education. Firstly, you can apply for and receive a PhD research fellowship at UiB. The research fellowships are announced at Vacant positions at UiB . If you have obtained a PhD position at UiB, some faculties will admit you to the PhD programme in the same process. At other faculties the fellowship recruitment and admission to the PhD programme will be somewhat separated. The faculty relevant for your academic field can inform you on the applicable arrangement.

A second way to obtain funding, is through a research fellowship or other kinds of funding through a private firm or public institution outside of UiB.

If you have funding and employer external to UiB you will in all instances need to apply for admission to the PhD programme in a separate process. If this applies to you, please contact relevant faculty.

If you have both funding and employer from outside of Norway, here is information on some practical and formal matters:  International PhD students with external financing

Paid PhD education with diverse tasks and research findings for the public good.

How to obtain funding?

Have a look at Vacant positions at UiB

Central criteria

A completed master’s degree. You must be dedicated and independent, but also willing to share and disseminate.

The PhD programmes

Faculty of Humanities

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Social Sciences

Faculty of Law

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Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

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The Finance PhD from BI Norwegian Business School provides candidates with an in-depth and intensive training programme at the cutting edge of both theoretical and empirical research in finance. 

The  Finance  PhD from BI Norwegian Business School offers rigorous training for candidates with strong analytical skills and intellectual curiosity. It follows a standard structure in place at all comparable programmes around the world.

The first year is devoted to course work that covers all the major fields in Finance and core topics in Economics relevant for a Finance PhD. BI faculty mainly teaches these courses. The candidates can also take specialised courses and participate in doctoral workshops through the Nordic Finance Network.

The second year of the programme sees candidates transitioning to research work. The candidates will work towards the doctoral dissertation that is typically a collection of three research articles. Research work is done in close co-operation with the supervisor and other faculty members from the department. Projects joint with faculty members often involve collaborators from other research institutions. Candidates also participate in weekly research seminars with international scholars and present their research work at departmental workshops.

Career opportunities:

The Finance PhD from BI Norwegian Business School prepares candidates for careers in world leading academic institutions, research-oriented international and national organisations, and the industry.

 Job market candidates from the department have found employment at premier universities, including London Business School, Tilburg University, University of Melbourne, and NOVA University Lisbon. Local placements in Norway include the Norwegian School of Economics, Financial Supervisory Authority, and Storebrand Asset Management.

Get more details

Programme structure.

Courses include:

• Advanced Microeconomics
• Advanced Statistics
• Advanced Macroeconomics
• Asset Pricing Theory
• Corporate Finance Theory 
• Empirical Asset Pricing
• Research Ethics
• Time Series Econometrics

Check out the full curriculum

Key information.

• 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2024-12-01 00:00:00

Interested in IELTS preparation material? Get started here

Disciplines

Explore more key information, academic requirements, english requirements, student insurance.

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

• Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
• Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
• Home contents and baggage

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at BI Norwegian Business School and/or in Norway, please visit Student Insurance Portal .

Other requirements

General requirements.

• Hold a Master of Science (MSc) or comparable degree within the fields of economics and business administration or an area in which BI offers a PhD specialisation.
• Have minimum B (4) in Grade Point Average (GPA), five-point scale (A=five, B=four, C=three, D=two, E=one).
• Hold a Master's degree that includes thesis work (15 to 30 ECTS).
• Have an adequate level of academic and English language proficiency. This may require specific documentation by proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants will be informed if this is needed.
• In particular cases, GMAT or GRE tests may be required. Applicants will be informed if this is needed.

An MBA degree does not fulfill the requirements for admission.

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition fee, international.

There are no tuition fees in the PhD programme at BI. However in order to have an application to the PhD programme at BI considered you need to have funding. 

Living costs for Oslo

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Check for any work restrictions

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Finance.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Read more about eligibility

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PhD specialisation in Finance

The PhD specialisation in Finance offers rigorous training in financial economics in a vibrant and collegial research department.  Our program allows students to grow into ambitious researchers who can successfully move on to an academic career.  

The structure of the PhD program follows international standards. During the first year, students focus on challenging coursework. The second year includes additional coursework while the primary focus shifts to independent research. Students typically take five years to complete their dissertation. 

Our faculty covers all major areas in financial economics and is highly committed to support our doctoral students, who are well integrated into the activities of the department. We have a strong record of placing graduates in international academic institutions.   

• PhD programme at NHH

Structure of the Program

Students usually finish the program within five years. Here is an overview of the main ingredients of the program. 

Course Work 

The aim of the PhD courses is to equip students with the necessary tools to create innovative research. The first year in the program is fully devoted to coursework and students are expected to take some additional elective courses during their second year.  

Regular Courses: 

• Asset Pricing 1A
• Asset Pricing 1B
• Asset Pricing 2
• Corporate Finance 1A
• Corporate Finance 1B
• Financial Econometrics
• Scientific Methods in Finance
• Topics in Empirical Corporate Finance -  Empirical Corporate Finance II
• Research Seminar in Finance
• Continuous Time Finance

The regular courses are taught by NHH faculty and by adjunct faculty from top institutions such as the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and UCLA. In addition, leading scholars occasionally teach short specialized courses during visits at the department.           

Thesis Work 

Students converge on a research field and find a supervisor by the beginning of the second year. During the second year, the focus shifts from coursework to working on the dissertation. A dissertation usually includes three research papers that are deemed publishable in international journals. Some of the chapters may be coauthored with faculty members, other PhD students or researchers at other institutions.  

Seminars & Conferences

Participation in research seminars is an essential part of the doctoral studies. The department regularly welcomes leading scholars for seminar presentations.   Before each seminar, the PhD students and a different faculty member meet for a “pre-seminar workshop” to discuss the paper presented at the seminar. In addition, faculty members and PhD students regularly present their work in internal seminars. Research and conference travels are strongly encouraged and funding for these purposes is usually available.  

International Orientation 

We encourage and facilitate international interactions for the PhD students. The Department of Finance regularly host international visitors and we are a member of the Nordic Finance Network that organizes workshops and advanced courses for doctoral students at Nordic universities and business schools. Students also have the possibility of a research visit abroad during their studies. In recent years, students have undertaken long-term visits at places such as Boston College, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, UCLA, University of Washington, and the University of Zurich.   

Adjunct Faculty

Current PhD students

MARKUS LITHELL 

Placement:  Virginia Tech (Pamplin College of Business) Position:  Assistant Professor 

DIEGO BONELLI 

Placement:  Banco de España Position:  Senior Research Economist

ANDRE LOT 

Placement: The University of Sydney Business School, Australia  Position: Lecturer level B (tenure-track Assistant Professor) 

MICHAEL AXENROD

Placement: ESCP Business School, London Position:  Assistant Professor of Finance

Placement: Nankai University, School of Finance, Tianjin, China Position:  Assistant Professor

Placement:  Analysis Group, Brussels Position:  Associate

STIG ROAR HAUKØ LUNDEBY

Placement:  BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo Position: Assistant Professor of Finance

LORETA RAPUSHI

Placement: BI Bergen Position: Associate Professor of Finance

Damiano maggi

Placement: The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway Position: Advisor at the Solidity Regulation Section

Negar Ghanbari

Placement: Aarhus BSS - Aarhus University Position: Assistant Professor of Finance

JOHAN MELLBERG

Placement: The Swedish Social Insurance Inspectorate Position: Researcher

Giovanni Bruno 

Placement:  Scientific Beta, France Postition: Senior Quantitative Researcher

Xiaoyu Zhang 

Placement:  Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, The Netherlands Position: Assistant Professor

Varun Verma 

Placement: Horda Position: CFO

Erik Hetland Tvedt 

Placement: Ernst & Young, Norway Position: Analyst

Raffaele Giuliana 

Placement:  Central Bank of Ireland, Ireland Position: Economist

Yun Tang 

Placement: OECD, France Position: Economist

Jens Kværner 

Placement: Tilburg University, The Netherlands Position: Assistant Professor

Kamil Klavidko

Placement: Örebro University School of Business, Sweden Position: Associate Senior Lecturer

CHUNBO LIU 

Placement:  Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China Position: Assistant Professor

Tor Åge Myklebust 

Placement:  Norwegian Cancer Registry, Norway Position:  Statistician

Job Market Candidates 2024

Application and Admission

We encourage candidates with solid quantitative and analytical skills, and a strong background in disciplines such as Finance, Economics, Statistics, and Mathematics to apply.  

We admit students for the PhD in finance biannually. The next starting date is August 2025. The application system will open in the fall of 2024.

Further information on minimum admission requirements and on how to apply can be found by clicking here.

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32 PhD jobs in Norway

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• PhD positions in Oslo (23)
• PhD positions in Grimstad (5)
• PhD positions in Kristiansand (3)
• PhD positions in Trondheim (1)

Other countries

• PhD positions in Belgium (204)
• PhD positions in Netherlands (86)
• PhD positions in Sweden (51)
• PhD positions in Switzerland (39)
• PhD positions in Germany (32)
• PhD positions in Luxembourg (30)
• PhD positions in France (22)
• PhD positions in Finland (17)
• PhD positions in Austria (13)
• PhD positions in Spain (5)

Search results (32)

Three research fellow positions at the Center for Professional Research

Phd fellowship position in social robots for children.

The Department of Computer Science (IT) has a vacant PhD Fellowship position in Social Robots for Children. The PhD candidate will be member of the Universal Design of ICT research group and the De...

PhD Fellowship position in Quantum-Inspired Evolutionary Algorithm for Multi-Objective Integrative Optimization

The Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) has a vacant PhD Fellowship position in the field of artificial intelligence with quantum computing. The projec...

Scholarship in social robots for children

Phd fellowship position in material-based product innovation and creative competence.

The department of Product Design has vacant a PhD fellowship position in material-based product innovation and creative competence. This position will be affiliated with the Department of Product D...

PhD Fellowship position in Sustainable innovation and radical technologies and solutions for future water industry

The Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering (MEK) has vacant a PhD fellowship position in sustainable innovation and radical technologies and solutions for future water indust...

PhD Fellowship position in Desig of Solid Electrolytes for Li- and Na-ion Batteries using Deep Learning-based Models (DeepSolo)

The Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering (MEK) at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design ( TKD ) has a vacant PhD Fellowship position in the field of Computational Mater...

Scholarship holder in material-based product innovation and creative competence

PhD Research Fellow in automated battery discharging and characterisation

About the positionA fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Sciences as a PhD Research Fellow in Mechatronics, affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years, ...

Scholarship holder in sustainable innovation and radical technologies and solutions for the future water industry

Research fellow in the design of solid electrolytes for li- and na-ion batteries using deep learning-based models (deepsolo), phd candidate in exercise and extracellular vesicles.

The Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Life Sciences and Health has a vacant three-year, fixed-term position as a PhD candidate in “Exercise and extracellular vesicles”. The desired start da...

PhD Research Fellow in “Health aware operation of offshore wind farms”

About the positionA 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in “Health aware operation of offshore wind farms”, affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a...

PhD researcher in technology with specialization in ICT

Fellow within the team consequences of cancer treatment, research fellow in patient safety and drug monitoring, phd candidate in nutrition.

Area of workThe Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, has a vacancy for a fixed-term post as a PhD candidate in the field of nutrition. The fixed-term post has a d...

Scholarship in nutrition

Phd fellowship position in glycomics in dry eye disease.

At the Faculty of Health Science, Department of Life Sciences and Health there is an available position as a PhD fellow to identify pathological molecular alterations in dry eye disease patients. T...

PhD Research Fellows in ICT - Machine Learning and Security

About the positionThree 100% positions are available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as PhD Research Fellows in machine learning, affiliated to the Department of Information and Communication Technology, for a period...

Fellowship position - collaborative models in social research

PhD Candidate in Thermodynamics of ammonia-water mixtures

About the jobFor a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.The period of employment of this position is 3 years, with possible extension due to teaching.The position will be in the ...

PhD Research Fellow - Similarities and Differences in Aging Processes in Lithium-Ion Battery Cells

About the positionA 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Ph.D. research fellow in the field of lithium-ion battery cell research affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a ...

PhD Research Fellow in Psychology

About the positionA 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences as a PhD Research Fellow in Psychology, affiliated to the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, for a period of three y...

Doctoral student in public policy and administration

Phd student in media studies, phd fellowship position in sustainability studies through artistic practice and indigenous perspectives.

The Department of Art, Design and Drama has a vacant PhD fellowship position. We are looking for a contemporary artist with indigenous competence who wish to explore and problematizes place, landsc...

Scholarship holder in the field of physiotherapy/musculoskeletal health

PhD fellowships in Applied Information Technology

Kristiania University College is offering up to six fully funded PhD fellowships in Applied Information Technology​ for a fixed-term period of three (3) years beginning in August 2025. During this time, the successful applicant will be employed at...

PhD fellowships in Communication and Leadership

Kristiania University College is offering up to five fully funded PhD fellowships in Communication and Leadership for a fixed-term period of three (3) years beginning in August 2025. During this time, the successful applicant will be employed at K...

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