Brief information about the programme
The organized research training at the Faculty of Educational Sciences (UV) is set up as a single PhD programme, and covers a wide range within Education, Special Needs Education and Subject Didactics.
Completion of the programme requires integration and participation in an active research environment, collaboration with other researchers and affiliation with relevant national and international research networks.
The programme consists of an independent work of research with a doctoral thesis and an educational component. The nominal duration of the programme is three years of full-time research, with the educational component consisting of six months’ work.
The educational component consists of compulsory and elective topics. Active participation in seminars and conferences is expected.
Candidates receive close follow-up and academic supervision, but must take responsibility for planning and carrying out the thesis work.
Learning outcomes
The Norwegian qualifications framework for lifelong learning (NQF) provides the following descriptions of learning outcomes.
The candidate:
- is in the forefront of knowledge within his/her academic field and masters the field´s philosophy of science and/or artistic issues and methods
- can evaluate the expediency and application of different methods and processes in research and scholarly and/or artistic development projects
- can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in the field
- can formulate problems, plan and carry out research and scholarly and/or artistic development work
- can carry out research and scholarly and/or artistic research work of a high international standard
- can handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field
- can identify new relevant ethical issues and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity
- can manage complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects
- can communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels
- can participate in debates in the field in international forums
- can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation
The learning and working environment
The Faculty's doctoral research fellows are part of a large and welcoming community, and all candidates are affiliated with active research environments at the departments. You have the opportunity to participate in research groups. These research groups are an important arena for sharing knowledge and obtaining feedback on one's own research work, and provide an important gateway to the role of researcher.
Participation in external courses and conferences is also a key part of the organized research training, and gives candidates the opportunity to make contacts and build networks.
Research stays abroad
Overseas stays at prestigious international universities provide inspiration and help establish valuable contacts with a view to future research collaboration.
All PhD candidates are encouraged to spend time abroad for short or extended periods. This allows them to collect data and conduct field work or travel to receive supervision or other academic follow-up at another university.
Read more about research stays abroad
Job opportunities after completing a PhD
Our PhD candidates are attractive in the job market, and many remain in academia. Job tasks may include: research, academic leadership, analysis, project work, consulting, supervision, teaching, or other educational science work.
PhD work allows you to develop skills such as:
- the ability to formulate research questions and plan research and development work
- written and verbal dissemination
- analytical and critical thinking, and result and solution-oriented thinking
- project planning and the ability to work under pressure
- the ability to see new possibilities and perspectives
- work with complex interdisciplinary questions
- the ability to perform ethical assessments in the field
Graduates from the Faculty of Educational Sciences can work in the higher education sector, the institute sector, centres of excellence and central government, to name but a few.