Applications and admissions
Admission to the faculty’s ph.d.-program may be either occur as a result of someone’s employment as a research fellow with automatic admission to the program, or by admission with external financing.
Admissions requirements
For admission to the ph.d.-program, the requirement is usually a cand.theol.-degree, a masters degree from one of the programs offered at the Faculty of Theology, or the equivalent.
It is important that the candidate has, in the course of their previous studies, acquired sufficient basic knowledge and skills to be able to complete their current project. The links between basic education, project, the faculty’s research profile and supervision capacity, are decisive when the faculty is assessing applications to the program.
Application deadlines
The deadlines for applications from candidates with external financing are the 15th March and the 15th September.
If you are applying for a research fellowship, the deadline in the fellowship announcement applies.
Application
An application to the ph.d.-program not connected to a research fellowship consists in an application form that is to be sent to the faculty. It should be accompanied by a project description, CV, proof of fincancing, and validated copies of degree certificates and work experience documents. Four copies of the application form with its accompanying documents should be handed in.
An application should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to do research. In the project description, the application is to explain their proposal, choice of method and progress plan, and give information concerning the project’s financing. The project description should be maximum 10 A4 pages, including footnotes and bibliography, and it should demonstrate that the application has read up on the field and has a firm grasp of its most important challenges.
For applicants with education from abroad, there are particular requirements.
Employment as Research Fellow
Employment as a research fellow normally consists in a four-year employment with a workplace at the faculty, where work obligations make up 25% of the work. Upon being awarded a research fellowship, you will at the same time be admitted to the faculty’s doctoral program.
Research fellowships are announced whenever one is available. These research fellowships are announced on the University’s website, see overview of job vacancies.
When a research fellowship has been announced, the Dean appoints an academic committee. Once the academic committee has handed in its evaluation, it is sent to the faculty’s permanent evaluation committee, that will handle the case before a final decision is made by the faculty board.
Regulations concerning employment conditions for research fellowship posts (only in Norwegian).
Admission with external financing
You may apply for admission to the ph.d.-program with external financing. This may be for example financing from other educational institutions, voluntary organisations or one’s own financing.
It is possible for applicants from developing countries, Central and Eastern Europe and previous Soviet States to apply for a research fellowship at the ph.d. level through the QUOTA program. Read more on the QUOTA program and the application process.
Normal time for a ph.d. degree is 3 years of full time study. An applicant with external financing must be able to document that they will be able to work at least 50% of their normal working time on their doctoral work.
The evaluation of applicants is conducted by the ph.d. leader appointing two expert evaluators. Should the candidate receive academic approval, a final decision will be made by the faculty leadership in consultation with the ph.d. leader.