The PhD programme in Social Sciences at the University of Stavanger is divided into five research schools.
About the programme
The aim of the education is for the candidates to achieve scientific competence at the highest level and to further develop the candidates’ qualifications for research and other work in their respective fields.
The PhD education is intended to qualify for research of an international standard, and for other work in society where great demands are made to academic insight and analytical thinking. The training includes independent research in the form of an academic thesis of an international standard at a high level. Additionally, the candidate must undergo a training component, providing training in the disciplinary context, methods and theories that provide a disciplinary breadth and depth in their field. The PhD programme also includes training in the dissemination of academic work to colleagues, students and the general public.
Programme structure and requirements
The PhD programme consists of an educational (coursework) component (30 ECTS credits) and a research component comprising the doctoral thesis (150 ECTS credits). The programme is intended to be completed within an effective researcher training period of three years, alternatively four years including mandatory duties (pliktarbeid).
Research Schools
The PhD programme in Social Sciences at the University of Stavanger is organised into five research schools:
Required educational part
The required educational part of the PhD-programme in Social Sciences.
The educational component can be taken on a rolling basis, but most of it should be taken during the first year of the admission period. The training component will provide the candidate with basic knowledge and training that, together with the thesis, provides the necessary academic breadth and specialisation that is embodied in the description of the objectives and learning outcomes for the PhD programme. The training or educational component includes a total of 30 ECTS credits.
Approval of the educational component
The training component shall normally be conducted after admission or appointment to a PhD fellowship.
All courses taken outside the University of Stavanger must be documented in the form of a certified copy of the course certificate. You should apply for approval of the educational component at least 6 months before you hand in your thesis for evaluation. The PhD Board undertakes the final approval of the educational/ training component.The training component must be approved before the thesis is submitted.
Requirements for documentation can be found under a separate tab on this page. The application should be sent by e-mail to PhD coordinator.
Forms - PhD education
Forms that are necessary for admission and during the PhD education.
For students admitted prior to 2022
For students admitted from 2022 onwards
Regulations, guidelines and instructions for the PhD education
Relevant regulations, guidelines and instructions for the PhD Programme in Social Sciences
PhD courses and seminars
The courses are inter- and multidisciplinary, and candidates enrolled in PhD training outside social science research, for instance, in fields such as humanities and educational sciences, medicine and health sciences are encouraged to apply
Candidates admitted to the PhD Programmes at the University of Stavanger should apply through Studentweb
If there are more applicants than the 15 admission places available, a selection will be made based on an assessment of the relevance of the course for the candidate’s research plan and qualifications in the relation to the objectives of the course. The course leaders carry out the selection process. PhD candidates do not pay the semester fee.
Not a PhD candidate at UiS but want to take one of our PhD Courses?
External PhD candidates or other with required prerequisite knowledge may apply for PhD courses.
If you are a PhD candidate who is not attending a PhD programme at UiS you can apply for admission to PHD courses through the webform.
External applicants should apply for a right to study for a minimum of 4 weeks before the course start date.
PhD program in Social Sciences offers the following PhD courses
Resources and tools
Library resources
Ph.d. on track (literature, references, publishing)
Research ethical guidelines (NESH)
Privacy
UiS Doctoral Community