PhD in Sociology
See study programmeThe PhD program in Sociology is amounted to the equivalent of a three year full-time research education and training position, leading to the PhD degree in Sociology. Candidates have to submit a research proposal for a PhD study, and this needs to be approved within three months of starting the program. The PhD program consists of a course component equivalent to at least 30 ECTS (equals one semester of full-time study) and a dissertation.
The course component must include courses in the philosophy of science and ethics, advanced critical research methods, and can also include additional courses relevant to the topic and field of study. Courses are offered at the Faculty of Social Science at Nord university, but students can also choose to follow courses offered by other approved institutions, or universities, in Norway or abroad. The course component must be approved by the Doctoral Committee at the Faculty before submitting the dissertation.
The dissertation should represent an independent scientific study, which meets international standards in the field with respect to academic rigor, methodological skills, and ethical standards. The dissertation should contribute to development of new academic knowledge in the field, and represent publishable contributions, relevant to academic debates and scientific research in Sociology. An international committee of experts in the field evaluate the dissertation and decides whether the dissertation is of a quality which warrants that it deserves to be publicly defended.
The following are the total knowledge, skill and general competency learning outcomes for fully qualified PhD Candidates in Sociology at the Nord university
Knowledge
The candidate should
- have extensive knowledge in the subject Sociology and deep insight into the subject's basic perspectives, theories of science and current debates
- be in the forefront of research within their specialty
- be able to critically evaluate the appropriateness and application of various research strategies, methods and research design
- have the ability to contribute to the theory and methodology and the development of new knowledge and new perspectives in sociology
Skills
The candidate should
- be able to take individual responsibility for the development, planning and implementation of research projects
- be able to carry out research and development work at a high academic level
- be able to handle complex theoretical issues and to challenge established knowledge and practices within the discipline
General competence
The candidate should
- in the conduct of research be able to identify and deal with ethical challenges and to maintain high academic integrity
- be able to manage complex multidisciplinary tasks and projects
- be able to disseminate research through reputable national and international journals
- be able to contribute to national and international debates in the discipline
The admission is based on individual application.
The applicant must hold a Master's degree in social science (e.g. Master in Sociology, Master in Social Work, Master in Politics and Social Change etc.) with an average mark of B or better in the European marking system (ECTS), or corresponding to a B average if other marking system is used. The applicant must hold a satisfactory theoretical and research prerequisite for completion of a doctoral degree in sociology. Applicants must document broad knowledge in social science theory and methodology. Applicants from outside EU/EEA must document a Norwegian recognition of their master’s degree.
To become eligible for admission adequate funding is required beforehand. The funding must cover both living costs and the costs relating to the research project for the entire doctoral training period. This could be a university fellowship, a three-year scholarship from the Research Council of Norway or another external funding source. Announced positions as PhD fellowship at Nord university can be found under vacancies. Please note that it is only possible to enrol as a PhD candidate after you have been appointed to a PhD fellowship or have documented other sufficient funding.
No special costs except semester registration fee and syllabus literature.
In order to become eligible for admission and enrol as a PhD candidate, you must document satisfactory funding that covers both living costs and the costs relating to the research project for the entire doctoral training period. This could be a university fellowship of three or four years, a three-year scholarship from the Research Council of Norway or another external funding source.
With a PhD fellowship at Nord university you are employed as an early stage researcher for a period of 3 or 4 years in order to complete doctoral education and achieve a PhD degree. Fellowships at the faculty may be advertised very openly in which case applicants are invited to present their own ideas for a research project. However in most announcements lately, the fellowship is related to a specific research project. The announcement of the PhD fellowships will describe the guiding requirements for the fellowship.
Please note that it is only possible to enrol as a PhD candidate after you have been appointed to a PhD fellowship or have documented sufficient funding to cover the costs relating to the doctoral training period otherwise.
The final stage of doctoral training is the public defence (disputation).
After the Evaluation Committee, appointed by the faculty, unanimously has accepted the dissertation for a public defence the doctoral candidate must give a one hour trial lecture on a given topic. The trial lecture must be held and passed before the defence of the dissertation can be held the same day.
The public defence of the dissertation usually last for 2,5 hours. All the members of the Evaluation Committee and the audience can question the candidate.
When the trial lecture and disputation is approved and the Evaluation Committee concludes unanimously that the candidate fulfilled the requirements for awarding the degree Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) in Sociology the University Board will confer the PhD degree.