Design

Design

PhD programme (doctoral degree)

Photo: Berilsu Tarcan. Felting.

Studier PHD-faktaboks

The PhD program in design is research training for those who have a master's degree.

More and more industries need the specialization that the PhD education provides: a good basis for leading work in business, administration, education and research.

The PhD program is standardized to 180 ECTS credits, 3 years of full-time study.

It is academically linked to the Department of Design, where the main areas are product design, interaction design, graphic and information design, sustainable design, design theory and health-related design.

Read more about the programme

The programme consists of a coursework part of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits and a doctoral thesis. The thesis may consist of a monograph or a collection of several smaller works.

The coursework and the work on the thesis are carried out in parallel. It is recommended, however, that the coursework be completed early in the course of study. All the coursework must have been completed and approved before you submit the thesis.

The coursework can be taken at other faculties at NTNU or at other higher education institutions that provide doctoral education. You must have taken the final exam or received another form of assessment for all subjects included in the coursework.

You decide on the courses in agreement with your supervisor. The courses are adapted to the subject matter of your thesis.

Read more about the programme structure

Working life increasingly appreciates the specialization that the PhD program provides, and surveys show that people with a doctorate quickly achieve leading positions.

Read more about career opportunities

In order for you to be admitted to the doctoral program, you must have a five-year master's degree or equivalent education with an average grade equivalent to B or better in the last two years.

The master's degree must normally be within a subject area that falls under the PhD program in design. If you have a different professional background, you can be admitted after an overall assessment of the project, theme and project description.

Read more about how to apply and admission

Please contact us should you have any questions about the program.

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