The Degree Dr. Philos. (Doctor Philosophiae)

The Department of Academic Affairs

Norwegian universities conferres two doctoral degrees; The PhD degree and the DPhil degree. Whilst the PhD degree is conferred on the basis of a fullfilled and approved organised research programme, the DPhil degree is conferred to candidates that have by own means qualified for a doctoral degree.

ABOUT THE DEGREE DOCTOR PILOSOPHIAE (Dr. Philos.) AT UMB
The degree of doctor philosophiae (Dr. Philos.) shall qualify the candidate for research activities and employment where a high level of scientific insight and method is required.

The right to apply
The right to apply for the doctoral degree exam is given to those who have completed a higher degree.

Applicants who can prove equivalent qualifications in another discipline may be allowed to apply for admission to the doctoral degree exam subject to approval by the UMB University Board. The dissertation shall not be evaluated until admission has been granted. The University Board evaluates the applicant's qualifications and reaches a decision based on the documentation of previous studies and scientific works. In such cases, the University Board may require that the applicant follow additional specific courses and/or pass a test before admission is granted in order to have the dissertation evaluated. The application shall be submitted together with the doctoral degree dissertation.

The thesis
The thesis shall be an independent, scientific piece of work of high academic standard with respect to the formulation of problems, the precision of concepts, the methodological, theoretical and empirical basis, the documentation and form of presentation. The thesis shall thus contribute to the development of new knowledge and be of an academic standard appropriate for publication as part of the literature in the relevant field.
More about the thesis - Section 3, Regulations for the degree Doctor Philosophiae

The doctoral degree is awarded on the basis of:
- A approved scientific thesis
- Two approved trial lectures (One on a chosen subject, one on a prescribed subject)
- A satisfactory public defence of the thesis

Application for submission and evaluation of the scientific work/thesis
The thesis, and an application for evaluation of the thesis, shall be submitted to the University Board, through the relevant university department. Certified copies of examinations and degree certificates should be enclosed. The department’s proposal for an evaluation committee shall follow the application.

If special admission (according to the regulations, section 2) is required, the applicant must document his/her studies and enclose previous scientific works. The application is submitted together with the thesis. Non-Nordic citizens shall at the time of submission enclose a reasoned application for admission to be evaluated for the degree. Should the applicant wish to use a language for the thesis other than those stated in § 3 of the regulations, an application for approval must be submitted together with the thesis.
More about application and submission - Section 5, Regulations for the degree Doctor Philosophiae

Evaluation
To evaluate the trial lecture(s), the thesis and the defence thereof, the University Board shall appoint an evaluation committee of at least three members, based on a proposal from the relevant department board. The committee shall within a determined deadline submit a reasoned report on whether or not the work is worthy of defence for the doctoral degree.

More about the evaluation committee and it's work:
- Sections 6 and 7, Regulations for the degree Doctor Philosophiae
- Guidelines for the Evaluation of Candidates for Norwegian Doctoral Degrees (Recommended by the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions 23 March 2007)

Trial lectures and public defence
If the thesis is approved, the doctoral candidate shall give two public trial lectures, one on a chosen topic and one on a prescribed topic. The trial lectures are part of the doctoral examination, and must be approved by the evaluation committee before the doctoral candidate can defend the thesis in a public defence.

Conferment of the degree, certificate
Upon approval of the thesis, trial lectures and the public defence of the thesis, the degree Doctor Philosopiae shall be conferred on the doctoral candidate by the University Board. Certificates are issued on an ongoing basis.

The right to appeal
Upon rejection of an application for evaluation (according to UMB's regulations for the degree Doctor Philosophiae, section 2), or rejection of the thesis, the trial lectures or the defence of the dissertation according to §§ 7 and 8, the candidate may appeal pursuant to § 28 ff of the Public Administration Act. A reasoned appeal shall be sent to the University Board.

Updated: 07.06.10
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Additional information

A Norwegian doctoral degree is awarded as proof that the candidate's research qualifications are of a certain standard.

Degrees incorporating a specified schedule and an organised research programme (PhD) and degrees with no such requirements (DPhil) are regarded as being of an equal standard. This principle of equivalence refers to the academic standard and quality of the work submitted, not merely its volume.

In the organised research programmes, qualifications may be documented through tests and participation in various activities within the training programme.

Since the degree of DPhil does not include an organised research programme, the preparatory work (e.g. the collection of data) and the thesis itself may be expected to be more extensive than for degrees with an organised research programme.

Irrespective of the kind of degree, the candidate must satisfy the minimum requirements to qualify as a researcher – demonstrated through requirements related to the formulation of research questions, precision and logical stringency. The candidate must also demonstrate originality and a good command of current methods of analysis and be able to reflect on their possibilities and limitations. He/she must also demonstrate knowledge of, understanding of and a reflective attitude towards other research in the field.

Excerpts from: Guidelines for the Evaluation of Candidates for Norwegian Doctoral Degrees