Here you will find information about the structure of the study programme.
The Norwegian name of the course of study is Ph.d. i utdanningsvitenskap og humaniora.
The English name is PhD in Educational Sciences and Humanities.
A philosophiae doctor (PhD) degree is conferred based on approved completion of the required coursework (the research training component), a PhD thesis, a trial lecture and public defence of the thesis.
The PhD programme comprises 180 credits. The individual education plan or progress plan must be organised such that the PhD programme is planned to be completed within the standard time frame of three years (not including any statutory leaves of absence).
The Faculty of Arts and Education.
The study programme is aimed at well-qualified candidates in relevant fields who wish to qualify for the highest level of education in this/these field(s).
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General conditions for admission appear in UiS's PhD regulations § 2-1: The applicant must have a strong academic background. Admission to a doctoral program normally requires a five-year master's degree (cf. the qualifications framework's second cycle) or equivalent education that the faculty approves as a basis for admission.
In addition, the following requirements apply to admission to the PhD programme in educational sciences and humanities:
- Grade B or better in weighted average from the (last) 2 years of the master’s degree (normally 120 credits)
- The master's thesis (normally 20-60 credits/60-100 pages) must have a grade of B or better
For applicants with education from institutions outside Norway, the same requirements for level, scope and grades apply. In addition to formal qualifications, significant emphasis will be placed on the quality of the proposed PhD project and relevant academic work.
Applicants who do not meet the formal admission requirements may exceptionally be admitted upon an overall and separate assessment of alternative, comparable basis for admission.
For example, peer-reviewed publications in recent years, more recently completed courses at master's level, as well as the supervisor's documented success to help the PhD candidates finish the PhD degree can be given weight in such assessments. If necessary, it can be specified how the department/centre will follow up the PhD candidate and thereby ensure completion.
The training component of the doctoral programme shall support the work on the thesis and ensure breadth and depth in the academic and scientific education.
The PhD education mainly consists of active research work under academic supervision and includes:
- A research training component – must be approved by the faculty
- A thesis based on independent research work in close collaboration with academic supervisors and other researchers
- Midway evaluation
- Collaboration with relevant research communities, in Norway and abroad
- Research dissemination related to the ongoing doctoral work
According to the Regulations for the degree of PhD at the University of Stavanger § 5-2, the PhD candidate shall complete a midway evaluation in the 3rd or 4th semester.
The thesis must be an independent piece of work in accordance with international standards within the field of study. This presupposes a high academic level in terms of formulation of the problem statement/research questions, conceptual clarity, methodological stringency, theoretical reflection and empirical foundation, documentation, analysis, and presentation. The thesis must demonstrate how it relates critically to current national and international research in all these areas, and that it is at the forefront of the knowledge within the field. The thesis must contribute towards new academic knowledge and be at a level that warrants publication as part of the academic literature in the discipline.
The thesis must have a summary (abstract) at the beginning that gives a detailed account of the basis, approach, and cohesiveness of the thesis, as well as the main findings, and that situates the work in relation to international research in the field. The thesis may be written as either a monograph or an article-based compendium. The article-based thesis must begin with a synopsis (an introductory section in Norwegian called the “kappe”, in English 'cape').
In the “kappe”, the candidate must explain the connection between the articles and provide an account of the background to the project and results of the work as a cohesive whole. Here, the research questions, theory, methodology, results and conclusions from the articles must be presented in a way that demonstrates how the content of the work constitutes one overarching project. Any ethical challenges or aspects encountered in the thesis work must also be discussed in the “kappe”. Regardless of the thesis containing one or more articles written by the candidate in collaboration with others (co-authors), the candidate must always be the sole author of the “kappe”.
The thesis may be presented in a different form (e.g., sound, images, video, electronic forms of presentation). In this case, the theoretical and methodological basis of the work will not be apparent from the product itself, and the thesis must therefore also have an additional part, where the candidate provides a written account of the research question, the choice of theory and methods, and an assessment of the results in relation to international standards and the academic level within the field. Reference is made to the University of Stavanger’s PhD Regulations.
The training component must contain the academic and methodological training that is necessary for the work on the thesis. All PhD subjects offered by the faculty must fulfill the expectations set out in the national qualifications framework's descriptions for level 8. The faculty's doctoral committee has the overall responsibility for ensuring that the PhD program offers a wide range of PhD topics relevant to the program, that are updated regularly. The training component within the PhD education shall consist of PhD courses relevant to the program and that total at least 30 and a maximum of 40 credits (ECTS) and shall be distributed as follows:
- Philosophy of science and research ethics, at least 10 credits
- Research methods, at least 5 credits
- Elective methodological and/or thematic courses, 15 credits
In addition, new PhD candidates are offered the opportunity to participate in an introductory seminar. Likewise, the faculty arranges a submission seminar for PhD candidates who will soon submit their thesis for assessment.
Philosophy of science and ethics: The University of Stavanger offers PhD courses in the philosophy of science and research ethics that constitute the mandatory 10 credits.
Research methods: The University of Stavanger offers a variety of PhD courses in both quantitative and qualitative methods, research design and other specific methods. The candidates choose which courses are best suited to them in consultation with their academic supervisor.
Elective courses: These must be accredited courses at the PhD level that are relevant to the candidate’s education/project and can be taken either at the University of Stavanger or at partner institutions and research schools. Many of these are courses on specific topics that both will help to ensure the quality of the thesis work and that allows the candidate to acquire solid knowledge about research and theoretical perspectives within their field of research.
If necessary, more loosely organised courses, called “self-study/tutor-led courses” (“veilederstyrt lesekurs”), can be organised, where one or a handful of PhD candidates set up their own specialised syllabus and then document their knowledge of this to the person(s) responsible for the course. A separate course description must be prepared for self-study courses, explaining the content, learning outcomes, form of assessment, and literature and must be approved by the academic leaders (Vice dean for research and education and PhD study program leader).
External PhD courses: PhD courses offered at other credit-granting and PhD-accredited educational institutions may, after prior application to the faculty, be approved as part of the training component.Approval of the training component: Applications for approval of the training component are processed at the faculty. Confirmation that the application has been approved must be available before the thesis can be submitted.
In order to be permitted to take the doctoral examination, PhD candidates must document that they have been involved in some form of academic dissemination, such as a series of lectures or seminars, popular science works (media articles, popularised articles, lectures, etc.), and/or presentations at national and international conferences. These dissemination activities can be linked to work on compulsory assignments in the PhD courses or to the work on the thesis. The content of a candidate’s dissemination activities must be approved by their academic supervisor in connection with the candidate applying for approval of the completed research training component.
The objective of the PhD programme is for the candidate to carry out an independent piece of research work (or combined research and development work) and complete an academic thesis of high quality. In addition, the PhD candidate shall receive solid training in theory and methodology that provides depth and breadth in their own research project, and that entrenches the project in a broader educational scientific framework.
Having completed and passed the study programme, the candidate will possess the following learning outcomes:
Having completed and passed the study programme, the candidate will possess the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The candidate will …
- Have a good insight into the latest research within their specific field within Educational science and the Humanities, as well as mastering the subject's scientific theory and methods.
- Be able to assess and apply different research methods and analysis strategies within their subject and research field.
- Contribute to the development of new knowledge, theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation within their area of expertise.
Skills
The candidate will …
- Be able to formulate relevant research questions and to plan and carry out research and professional scientific work.
- Carry out research and professional development work at a high international level.
- Be able to handle complex academic questions, and to critically analyze and challenge established knowledge and research practices within educational science and the humanities.
General competencies
The candidate masters…
- Identifying ethical issues and conduct their research with professional/academic integrity.
- Participating in complex academic and interdisciplinary tasks and projects.
- Disseminating research and development work and participate in academic relevant debates, both nationally and internationally.
- Assessing the need for, initiate and lead innovation.
The doctoral degree in educational science and humanities qualifies for research activities at an advanced professional and academic level, and for other work in society that requires both analytical competence and social understanding and where it is necessary to master scientific methods of working and scientific insights.
The degree further qualifies for research, teaching, development, supervision and dissemination at universities and university colleges, and at other public and private institutions.
The PhD programme comprises various activities (courses and coursework requirements), distributed over the three years. In the first semester, new PhD candidates are invited to a half-day introductory seminar where the PhD administration provides information about the PhD program. In the text below, the activities are presented in their normal order.
- A final plan for the doctoral education, i.e. a description of the PhD project with a realistic progress plan for completing the education (final PhD plan), within the first three months upon commencement.
- It is recommended that courses for the training component be completed within the first three semesters.
- Dissemination activities can take place throughout the entire PhD period.
- A midway evaluation to be conducted in the third or fourth semester.
- The last two semesters are primarily devoted to completing the dissertation.
- The final plan for the doctoral education (project and education plan/final PhD plan) must be available within three months of the start date.
- Annual progress reporting
Each year the candidate and academic supervisor must submit a progress report (see section 5-1 of the PhD Regulations). The reports are discussed in the doctoral committee. In the event of poor progress and/or deviation from the approved project and individual education plan (including the research training component), the doctoral committee may request additional information and/or conduct follow-up interviews with the candidate (by the vice-dean or PhD study programme leader), a midterm seminar, etc. - Completed midway evaluation
- Completed research training component (30 credits)
- PhD course in philosophy of science and research ethics (a total of 10 credits)
- Methodology course (minimum 5 credits)
- Elective courses (15 credits within methodology and/or thematic courses)
- Documented research dissemination
Presentations at (national and/or international) conferences, series of lectures or seminars and, as applicable, popular science works - Stays abroad
Whilst not an absolute requirement, it is recommended to spend a period of at least three months overseas
The individual course description states how the PhD course or seminar will be evaluated (cf. the Regulation concerning Studies and Examinations at the University of Stavanger). The faculty appoints an expert committee consisting of at least three members who will assess the thesis, the defence, and the trial lecture. The committee is composed such that different sexes are represented. At least one of its members shall not be affiliated with the University of Stavanger, and at least one member shall be affiliated with a foreign research institution. All the members must have a PhD or equivalent qualifications, and the majority must be external members.
- Approved completion of the required coursework, i.e. the training component
- An approved academic thesis
- An approved trial lecture on an assigned topic
- Approved public defence of the thesis (disputation)
Independent work is the primary way of working in a PhD study. The candidates in the program engage with academically active learning environments, organized as research groups/environments, strategic program areas for research or the like. For doctoral candidates whose main affiliation is at an external institution, an agreement must be established between the degree awarding institution (UiS) and the cooperating institution/enterprise, that regulates the candidate's working conditions and thereby ensures participation in an active research environment (cf. PhD regulations).
The forms of work and requirements in the individual PhD course is determined by the course coordinator and must be approved by the Faculty of Arts and Education. The teaching premises must meet the University of Stavanger’s and Statsbygg’s standards in respect of accessibility and universal design.
The PhD programme enables and encourages PhD students to spend at least three months of their study time at a recognised foreign educational or research institution where they can work on issues related to their research work and/or the thesis.
It is expected that the candidate's PhD supervisor(s) and/or the closest academic community and colleagues contribute with suggestions to relevant destinations, researchers, and institutions. If it is not possible to arrange such a stay, the faculty may approve other arrangements that ensure the PhD candidate gains deeper insight into and gets in contact with (alternative) academic/research environments and traditions related to the issues addressed in the thesis (cf. section 4-2 of the PhD Regulations).
Teaching and academic supervision will be in Norwegian or English.
The thesis ought preferably to be written in Norwegian or English (Danish and Swedish are also accepted). If the candidate wants to submit their thesis in another language, or in two different languages, this must be stated in the revised PhD plan and will be assessed separately. The trial lecture and public defence will normally be held in the language of the thesis. If the candidate wishes to use a different language during the trial lecture and public defence, this must be stated and justified when applying to have the thesis assessed for the degree PhD.
The PhD in educational sciences and humanities is covered by the University’s quality system.
Compulsory activities to assess the quality and progress of doctoral projects:
- Assessment of the project description in connection with a project plan seminar within three months from the start and completion of the final project plan (PhD plan including PhD courses)
- Annual progress reporting for PhD candidates and PhD supervisors
- Assessment of the status of the project/research process half-way through the dissertation work, in the form of a mid-way evaluation
- Evaluation of PhD courses after completion
- Yearly review for improvement of the PhD courses offered by the faculty
- Annual PhD program/study plan review
- Regular evaluation and revision/updating of guidelines, templates and local forms
The PhD course coordinator summarizes the feedback from the participants on the course and writes a report in collaboration with one of the participating PhD students (candidate representative). The PhD administration collects the course reports each semester and summarizes the results. These are presented annually to the doctoral committee at the faculty. These course reports and evaluations form the basis for an annual revision of the PhD portfolio of courses.
Within the programme, PhD candidates must normally be represented on the committees that work on issues pertaining to the PhD education. In addition, the doctoral committee at the faculty has a representative for the PhD candidates appointed by UiS DC (the doctoral candidates' interest organization at UiS).
From 2018, the Department of Research and Innovation at the University of Stavanger conducts an annual (online) survey where PhD candidates who have completed their doctoral education can comment on matters related to general satisfaction, working conditions, academic supervision, research environment, mobility, the research training component and the available PhD courses on offer, achievement, motivation, and career plans. The candidates also answer questions on whether they have experienced situations that were challenging in terms of research ethics. An annual academic report is prepared for the doctoral committee based on these reports, evaluations and assessments. A programme report is written every year.
The PhD programme includes various activities (courses and coursework requirements), distributed over the three years, as shown in the following set up.
1st Academic Year (Semesters 1–2)
2nd Academic Year (Semesters 3–4)
3rd Academic Year (Semesters 5–6)
The research process
- Semester 1: Revision of project description and education plan
- Semester 3: Midway evaluation
Seminars
- Semester 1: Introductory seminar for new PhDs
- Semester 2: Project plan seminar
- Semester 5: Submission seminar
Compulsory courses and seminars
- Semester 1: Philosophy of science + Research ethics
Elective methodology and/or thematic courses
- (Distributed as needed across semesters)
Research dissemination
- (Ongoing across academic years)
Work on the thesis
- (Continuous throughout all semesters)
Courses that result in credits normally require written documentation in the form of a paper and/or the equivalent. The following is only a guide and indicates a suggested correlation between the number of teaching days, required reading, documentation, and credits.
- 1 day course, suggested scope of litterature 100–150 pages, number of pages in paper 2–3 pages, 25–30 working hours = 4 days’ work equals 1 ECTS/credit
- 2 days suggested scope of litterature 200–300, number of pages in paper pages 3–5 pages, about 8 days’ work 2 ECTS/credits
- 3 days suggested scope of litterature 300–400 pages, number of pages in paper 5–7 pages, about 12 days’ work 3 ECTS/credits
- 4 days suggested scope of litterature 400–500 pages, number of pages in paper 7–10 pages, about 16 days’ work (just over 3 weeks) 4 ECTS/credits
- 5 days suggested scope of litterature 600-800 pages, number of pages in paper 10-15 pages, 20 days (4 weeks) 5 ECTS/credits
- etc.