How to Do a PhD in Norway: Positions, Pay and Permits

Norway runs its PhD system differently from most other countries. A PhD candidate in Norway is usually an employee of a university, not a student who pays fees. This guide explains who can apply, how positions and funding work, and what non-EU/EEA applicants need for a residence permit.

PhD candidates are employees, not students

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) states this plainly: "Unlike in most other countries, PhD candidates in Norway are not considered students and PhD candidates are usually employees of the institution from which they receive their funding." Most PhD candidates at NTNU are employed as PhD research fellows, called stipendiat in Norwegian.

This has two practical results for you:

• You normally receive a salary and the other benefits of an employee, rather than paying tuition fees.
• Financing is an absolute requirement before a university will admit you. Without a confirmed funding plan, Norwegian universities will not accept your PhD application.

Tip: Because PhD candidates are employees, most Norwegian PhD positions are advertised and filled like a job, with a formal employment contract, not only an academic admission process.

Who can apply

General requirements vary by institution and by faculty, so always check the specific call. As examples of what Norwegian universities ask for:

• NTNU requires at least five years of higher education, including a master's degree or an equivalent qualification, plus a strong academic record. For many NTNU programmes, this means a weighted average equivalent to a B or higher on the Norwegian grading scale for the last two years of your master's degree.
• The University of Oslo's Faculty of Law asks for a first degree requiring at least five years of education (normally a master's degree), good grades (mostly A grades at the basic level), and a detailed project outline of 5 to 10 pages.

If your previous education is from outside Norway, you can ask NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) to assess and recognise it, or the faculty may carry out a similar assessment itself while it reviews your application.

How funding and positions work

Most PhD positions in Norway are announced on the university's own web pages and through Jobbnorge, according to NTNU. Other sources of PhD funding mentioned by NTNU include:

• An agreement with your regular employer, if you keep working while you study
• The Research Council of Norway, through schemes such as the Industrial PhD scheme or the Public Sector PhD scheme
• Other national or international scholarships

If you are not employed at the university that will register you (for example, if an external employer or scholarship funds you), the University of Oslo's Faculty of Law requires a confirmation of funding or employment, and states that the funding must normally cover at least three "man-years" of the project. Self-financing is normally not accepted. If an external party is involved, you may need to sign a formal agreement on completing the PhD in cooperation with that party.

Tip: Salary and exact pay grades change between institutions and calls. Always check the amount stated in the specific job advertisement rather than relying on a general figure.

Finding a supervisor before you apply

NTNU advises you to contact the research group and find a potential supervisor as early as possible, ideally before you submit your application. Your main supervisor should be confirmed by the time you apply, and you should have at least two academic supervisors in total. At least one of your supervisors, usually the main one, must be employed at the university, even if part of your funding comes from outside.

Documents you need

Based on NTNU's application requirements, plan to prepare:

1. Documentation of the education that qualifies you for a PhD, including any diploma supplement or NOKUT assessment, if you have one
2. Documentation of education obtained outside Norway, if relevant
3. Documentation of funding for the entire PhD period
4. A project description. Some programmes accept a preliminary version at the application stage, but you must then submit the complete version within six months of being admitted
5. Any required details of legal or ethical issues connected to your project, with approval from an ethics committee attached if you already have it

Individual faculties can add their own form or extra documents, so always check the specific programme page before you apply.

Residence permit for non-EU/EEA applicants

If you come from outside the EU/EEA, you need a residence permit to study or work in Norway, and the correct category depends on how you are financed. The University of Oslo explains the general process for students on a residence permit:

1. Students from outside the EU/EEA must apply for a residence permit, and a visa if required, as soon as they receive an admission or study offer.
2. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) requires documentation that you have enough money to live on while you study.
3. You submit documents, including your admission and study plan letter, to the embassy, consulate, or VFS centre that handles your application.
4. After you arrive, you must register with the police and book an appointment through UDI's online portal, bringing your passport, your rental contract, and any required deposit receipt.

Because most PhD candidates in Norway are employees rather than students, your own route may fall under a work-based permit instead of a student permit. Check the current rules for your situation directly on udi.no before you apply, since the correct category depends on whether you are an employee or are funded from outside Norway.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating the PhD as a normal academic application. Many Norwegian PhD positions are recruited as jobs. Read the job advertisement as carefully as you would read any job posting.
• Applying without a funding plan. Norwegian universities will not admit you without confirmed financing, so secure this before you submit a full application.
• Leaving the supervisor contact too late. Reach out to a potential supervisor early. Many departments expect this contact before you apply.
• Assuming one university's rules apply everywhere. Admission requirements and documents differ between institutions and even between faculties at the same university. Always check the specific call.
• Guessing your visa category. Confirm with UDI whether you need a student permit or a work-based permit, since the documents differ.

Where to find open positions

Start your search on PhD positions in Norway and compare funded opportunities on funded PhD positions. Once you have a project in mind, see our guides on writing a PhD research proposal and emailing a potential PhD supervisor to make first contact with a Norwegian research group.

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