PhD Programme in Social Sciences
KristiansandA PhD degree gives you the opportunity to further your knowledge and understanding in social science disciplines, as well as to develop skills in planning and carrying out high-quality research. It also gives you the opportunity to contribute to important discoveries and contribute to solving societal challenges. Furthermore, having a PhD may open the doors to career opportunities in academia, in business or in the public sector.
Facts about the program
- ECTS credits:
- 180
- Duration:
- 3 years
- Mode of study:
- Full-time
- Semester:
- Upon agreement
- Teaching language:
- English
About the research programme
The programme offers PhD education within all the faculty’s disciplines and relevant research fields. The overall purpose of the programme is to give the PhD candidates a thorough theoretical and methodological background, along with the experience of completing a substantial piece of original scientific work (the PhD thesis).
The degree is awarded based on approved course component, an academic dissertation, a trial lecture and a public defence.
The PhD programme is a total of 180 ECTS, which is three years full time studies. The coursework component consists of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. There are possibilities to have a fourth year financed through a work component, this is upon individual agreements and specialisation.
Specialisations
The faculty offers specialisation in the following fields
Specialisation in Global Development and Planning
Specialisation i Information Systems
Specialisation in Public Administration
Specialisation in Sociology and Social Work
Programme structure
The PhD specialisation is organised to be completed over a three-year period. The first year is devoted to coursework and the beginning of the work with the thesis.
The coursework component comprises a core course in the chosen specialisation, mandatory course in philosophy of science and research methodology and elective courses.
The PhD specialisation is organised to be completed over a three-year period. The first year is devoted to coursework and the beginning of the work with the thesis. The coursework component consists of a total of 30 ECTS. All candidates must complete a minimum of 15 ECTS in philosophy of science including a course in the chosen methodology, and core courses of 15 ects in the chosen specialisation. The detailed course plan must be set up in cooperation with the candidate’s supervisor. The coursework component is carried out in parallel with the development of the thesis throughout the entire study programme.
Why take a PHD at the Faculty of Social Sciences?
The programme currently includes 50-60 PhD candidates from across the globe working closely with highly motivated supervisors in an excellent research environment.
High-quality education
- Norwegian education is of a high quality and controlled by Norwegian authorities
- Supervisors are motivated and internationally recognized scholars
Generous funding
- Free education and supervision
- Full salaries (Norwegian level)
- Funding offered at the faculty for international conferences and mobility
Our candidates find relevant jobs
Nearly all graduates find relevant jobs, mostly in academia but also in the private and public sector.
Excellent study environments
- Candidates work closely with their supervisors and are integrated in research groups.
- Good office space, access to databases and library infrastructure
Funding of studies
The most common way to take a PhD in Norway is through applying for a vacant position which finances the PhD education.
Vacant positions at the University of Agder can be found here:
A fully funded project is a requirement for acceptance to a PhD-programme at UiA. Private funding from family etc is not allowed per our regulations.
Other possible sources of external funding include:
- the Research Council of Norway under the Industrial PhD scheme or the Public sector PhD scheme
- other national or international scholarships
Career prospects
Candidates from the Ph.D. program work in the public and private sector, in academia both at UiA and other educational institutions. Externally funded candidates usually return to their regular job and continue with research in their own organization.
A PhD provides you with opportunities for further career advancement as a researcher or for another career where there are high demands for knowledge and expertise.
Where can you get a job with a PhD?
The majority of our PhD candidates (approx. 70 %) work in research and development in academia. Many however, also work in industry or the public sector.
The tasks may include research, academic leadership, analysis work, project work, consultancy, guidance or administrative work.
Through doctoral work, you acquire skills such as:
- the ability to plan and carry through research and development work
- the ability to work with complex academic questions through analytical thinking
- advanced academic written and oral communication
Where do our graduates work?
Our PhD candidates work mainly in academia but are also found in research institutes, and in the public and private sector.
- Agder County Municipality
- CICERO, Center for International Climate Research
- DNV, Det Norske Veritas
- Fremtind Forsikring/Insurance
- HINN, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
- Institute for European Politics (IEP), Berlin
- Kristiania University of Applied Sciences
- Makerere University, Uganda
- Malmø University, Sweden
- Mid Sweden University, Sweden
- Mzumbe University, Tanzania
- NHH, Norwegian School of Economics
- NKOM, Norwegian Communications Authority
- NORCE Research
- NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- OsloMet
- Princess Sumaya University of Technology, Jordan
- Queen Maud University College
- Spektrum NC
- SSHF, Sorlandet Hospital Trust
- Statsforvalteren/ County Governor
- University of Agder
- University of Bergen
- University of Oslo
- University of Stavanger
- Universitas Islam Indonesia
- University Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
- University of South-Eastern Norway
Disputations
Admissions
To qualify for the programme candidates should normally:
- have a master’s degree, including a master thesis, from an academic institution with good reputation, preferably in Social Sciences or a related discipline (300 ECTS credits), obtained at least with honours (B or better). Generally, at least 90 ECTS credits should be core subjects in the area you want to do your PhD project
- have strong qualifications in social- scientific methodology
- be fluent in written and oral English
- have a research proposal fitting the research interest or field of the specialisation
The application process
See supplementary regulations regarding admission
Contact
- hege.wallevik@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 22 22
- cecilie.mawdsley@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 23 82