The PhD education programme is primarily an organized research training for those who are aiming for a career in higher education or research. In the recent years, the private sector has especially appreciated the specialisation the PhD education programmes provide.

The PhD education programme has a prescribed duration of three years of full-time study, and consists of organized research training and individual research.

The PhD education programme has the objective of training candidates to be independent researchers who can work at an international level in cooperation with Norwegian and international research groups. The PhD education programme has the objective of meeting the current and future requirements for research, development, supervision and dissemination within universities, other public institutions, private-sector institutions, enterprises and organizations.