Educational component

The Faculty of Humanities invites all candidates to a mandatory introductory meeting. This meeting is designed to provide an overview of the PhD programme, the faculty, the library, and the university. Supervisors are invited to the part of the programme that addresses supervision. The introductory meeting is normally held every semester, in early September and March.

Training in research ethics is designed to ensure that all candidates at the Faculty of Humanities (HF) possess in-depth knowledge of research ethics norms. These norms constitute and regulate good scientific practice and serve to safeguard the integrity of research.

Candidates earn 1 ECTS credit by completing the course HF9003 HF Introduction to Research Ethics, which is offered during the PhD weeks. This mandatory training, common to all candidates in the faculty’s PhD programme, addresses key ethical principles in research, such as the norm of truth (the pursuit of truth, the commitment to truth, integrity, and honesty), the obligation to acknowledge the work of others, and the rights and responsibilities associated with authorship. The course provides a fundamental understanding of the research ethics system, as well as the ethical norms and dilemmas involved in research within the humanities.

In addition, candidates must complete at least 1 ECTS credit of specialized study in ethics. The courses address ethical issues particularly relevant to research in the humanities, and some offer the opportunity to focus on topics specific to the candidate's own project. The departments offer a variety of courses during the PhD weeks, as well as courses at other times—often in collaboration with research schools. Candidates may also take external courses.

The training in the philosophy of science addresses foundational issues regarding the generation of knowledge within the humanities.

Candidates complete 1 ECTS credit through the course HF9301 HF Introduction to Theories of Knowledge, which is offered during the PhD weeks. This shared, mandatory training for all candidates in the faculty’s PhD program addresses key epistemological questions. The course discusses the nature of knowledge, the types of knowledge established by humanities scholars, and whether there is a common foundation for humanities research as such.

In addition, candidates complete a minimum of 2 ECTS credits of specialized study in the philosophy of science. These courses provide in-depth study of specific topics, and some offer candidates the opportunity to articulate their own epistemological standpoint. The departments collaborate on a range of courses during the PhD weeks and also offer select courses at other times, often in partnership with research schools or external research communities. Candidates may also take external courses.

The training in dissemination provides practical experience in communicating research, as well as an opportunity to reflect on research communication and academic freedom. Research dissemination involves sharing scientific results, methodologies, and perspectives with audiences outside the research community and the specialized field of study. The Faculty’s training program offers hands-on experience in communicating research – either in writing or orally – to a broader audience. To receive credit for the dissemination course, candidates must publish a text or carry out an oral dissemination activity after completing the course.

The mandatory 2-ECTS dissemination course is offered in two versions:

• HF9004 Media Dissemination of Research – Written Communication
• HF9006 Media Dissemination of Research – Oral Communication

The courses are organized by the Faculty during the PhD weeks, with the specific version offered alternating between sessions. 

All candidates are required to attend an international conference. The purpose is for candidates to present their research and receive feedback, as well as to expand their international professional networks beyond the specific research environment and project to which they are affiliated. Conferences eligible for credits are academic gatherings where research is presented to colleagues in relevant fields and where participants represent institutions from multiple countries. These are typically open-call events, though conferences or seminars where the candidate has been invited to participate may also qualify for credits.

Candidates must earn 4 ECTS credits in this category. The PhD coordinator at the candidate’s department determines the credit allocation. Participation involving a paper, poster, or presentation typically awards 2 ECTS credits.

Specific to IFIKK

Credit for participating in an international conference is contingent upon presenting a paper, giving a talk, or presenting an abstract. Mere attendance does not earn credits. Typically, 1 ECTS credit is awarded for a poster and 2 ECTS credits for a paper.

Specific to IMK

The department exercises a degree of discretion when evaluating conference presentations, and candidates are encouraged to submit their conference participation for pre-approval well in advance. The criteria for awarding credits are generally as follows:

• The paper should be written specifically for the conference in question. If you present the same paper twice, you will receive credit only once.
• Presenting a poster normally earns 1 credit.
• A presentation without any form of peer review normally earns 1 credit.
• A peer-reviewed presentation normally earns 2 credits.
• An additional credit may be awarded if the paper is presented in an academic workshop or session where the candidate also receives feedback on the paper.

All candidates must complete text development seminars, 4-6 ECTS. In these seminars, candidates work primarily on dissertation texts: chapters, articles, and partial drafts.

• Read more about text development seminars

"Method" refers to a planned procedure for generating knowledge. The training aims to broaden the candidates' methodological experience and skills and foster a critical approach to the knowledge yielded by different methods. All candidates must complete training equivalent to a minimum of 4 ECTS credits.

Candidates may find courses and training opportunities offered by the departments, the Faculty of Humanities (HF), other units at UiO, research schools, or other universities in Norway and abroad. The departments at HF ​​offer a range of courses – both independently and collaboratively – during the "PhD weeks" in the form of short courses (1–2 ECTS). Larger courses are offered outside of the PhD weeks.

All candidates must undergo a midway assessment. The purpose of the midway assessment is for candidates to have the project’s progress assessed with regard to completion as planned. This is a mandatory part of the PhD programme.

• Read more about the midway assessment

Candidates may assemble the final part of the educational component themselves. This part should consist of courses and activities that are directly relevant to their own project or that foster their development as young researchers. Overall, the educational component of the PhD degree must be balanced and of high quality; therefore, despite the significant freedom of choice, candidates should consult their supervisor and seek advance approval from the PhD coordinator.

This part of the educational component may comprise activities of a high scientific standard. As a general rule, these should be aimed at the PhD level. Both internal UiO courses at the PhD level and courses organized by external providers may be included, provided they are deemed relevant. In some instances, master's-level courses may be approved by the PhD coordinator at the candidate's own department.

Additionally, candidates may engage in further research dissemination—for example, by publishing popular science articles, participating in podcasts, radio, or television programs, or delivering a public lecture or talk. Candidates may receive a maximum of 5 ECTS credits for dissemination activities, in addition to the credits awarded for the mandatory course. Credits are awarded only in whole ECTS units; consequently, if an activity is smaller in scope, multiple activities will be required.

It is also possible to participate in multiple conferences and receive some credit for doing so. This is permissible if participation contributes to high-quality training and is appropriate and relevant for the individual PhD candidate. The PhD coordinator may approve a limited number of ECTS credits for conference participation, over and above the credits required of all candidates (see above). 

Courses designed to develop technical, practical, or linguistic research skills do not normally award ECTS credits within the educational component. This includes activities such as academic English, grant writing, career seminars, oral presentation skills, reference management tools, publishing, project management, and the like. 

Some skills courses may be awarded credits following a discretionary assessment. In such cases, the course must entail substantial preparatory and/or follow-up work corresponding to 1 ECTS credit or more (25–30 hours). As this involves a discretionary and holistic assessment, it is important to remember that courses and activities should be approved in advance.