The PhD is a three-year programme that is normally based on a five-year master’s degree or some other equal education. The programme consists of a coursework part of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits and a doctoral thesis.

The coursework and the work on the thesis are carried out 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 submission of the thesis.

The PhD education is a fully structured degree with a nominal length of three years of full-time study. Some candidate positions include a fourth year of required duties, normally consisting of teaching.

• The education consist of coursework of at least 30 ECTS credits and an independent research project with a nominal length of 2.5 years.
• A PhD education is a supervised programme; it requires, however, a large degree of independence and efficiency.
• The final thesis is expected to contribute to the development of new academic knowledge and to be of a high international standard within the discipline.
• The doctoral education at NTNU is internationally oriented and students are expected to participate actively at international conferences and publish in international journals.
• Parts of the programme may be taken abroad, either in the form of a prolonged research visit or by taking part of the coursework abroad.
• The PhD programme is completed by a trial lecture and a disputation as defence of the thesis.

Everyone who takes a doctoral degree is invited to a doctoral degree awards ceremony.