PhD programme in Health and Sport Sciences

To be admitted into the PhD programme, the applicant must have second degree education (Master's degree or equivalent) from a Norwegian or foreign university or university college in a subject area which is considered relevant for the research and teaching at the faculty.

This may include (1) the faculty’s own 120 ECTS Master´s programmes, (2) other similar Master´s programmes from other institutions, or (3) other educations which the faculty considers to be equivalent.

Regulations related to the the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD) at UiA as well as supplementary regulations regarding the programme in health and sport sciences have been implemented. These further define requirements concerning the application and completion of the PhD programme. See https://www.uia.no/en/research/phd-programmes/regulations-related-to-phd-at-uia

The PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Sport Science covers all of the faculty's subject areas.

The professional spesialisation takes place in the course of the project through supervision and choice of courses.

The aim of the programme is to offer research education within the faculty's thematic research areas. These areas can be divided into public health science, nursing science, psychosocial health, nutrition science, and sport science. Although these are different disciplines they are all related. A link between the different disciplines is the human being and its (physical, psychological and social) potential for health, development and/or achievement. Independent of disipline, all research projects has a foundation in empiricism, and both qualitative and/or quantitative data are explored with appropriate research methods.

With this background, we offer a faculty PhD programme which comprises the faculty's professional interests. An outline of the research that is being carried out at the faculty is found here. The programme contains mandatory courses with a general approach: Philosophy of science, research dissemination, qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and systematic literature analysis. In these more general courses candidates are expected to use their own scientific subjects and themes as background for their work with course tasks, assignments, and presentations. In addition to the general, required courses candidates may choose freely between different more subject-specific courses. It is also possible to follow courses at equivalent level at other institutions.

Details on the coursework component

The contents of the programme consist of a coursework component of 30 ECTS points, where 20 ECTS points are required courses, and a PhD dissertation of 150 ECTS points, with a total of three years full-time work.

The coursework component is planned in parallel to the development of the dissertation throughout the entire study programme. The courses will be held regularly and whenever needed. The courses will generally be taught in English,but may be given in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language. The coursework component will support work on the dissertation, as well as contribute to the necessary academic depth and breadth. The candidate must plan for the completion of the coursework component in consultation with their supervisor(s). The candidate is responsible for signing up for the courses. The course ME-624 Research dissemination runs through the full PhD period, and it is also a social meeting point for the PhD candidates. The candidates are automatically registered for this course. External courses may make up a part of the coursework, but these must be approved by the faculty upon application. For procedures for registering for courses and approval of external courses, see Canvas.

The candidate is encouraged to study abroad during the coursework period. 

See the coursework component i the PhD programme in Health and Sport Sciences, "Programme structure" here.