1. Scope
This programme applies to doctoral education (PhD) in Law, including Criminology and Sociology of Law, at the Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, based on the Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.
2. Learning outcomes
Through the theoretical training programme, the thesis and the PhD examination, the PhD programme will enable candidates to conduct high-level research in the field of law in accordance with recognized scientific and ethical principles. The programme is intended to qualify candidates for research activities and other work that demands a high level of scientific insight and analytical thinking.
Knowledge
After completing a PhD degree in Law, the candidate will:
- Be at the forefront of knowledge in their field of legal science and master the discipline’s scientific theory and methods.
- Be able to assess the expediency and application of different methods and processes in research and academic development projects.
- Be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation within legal science and to position their own research within a larger academic and research context.
- Be well acquainted with key and current trends in legal research broadly, both at present and in a historical perspective.
Skills
Upon completion of the PhD degree in Law, the candidate will be able to:
- Formulate research questions, plan and carry out research and academic development work.
- Conduct research and academic development work of a high international standard.
- Handle complex academic questions and challenge established knowledge and practices within legal science.
General competence
Upon completion of a PhD degree in Law, the candidate will be able to:
- Identify relevant ethical issues in their own and others’ research and conduct their own research with a high degree of academic integrity.
- Manage and contribute independently to complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects.
- Disseminate research and academic development work through recognised national and international channels.
- Participate in debates within legal science in international forums and contribute with professional insights to the Norwegian public debate.
- Assess the need for, initiate, and engage in research-based innovation.
3. Organization
The formalised research training at the Faculty of Law is organised within one PhD programme.
The overall coordinating responsibility for the Faculty’s research training programme is delegated to the Programme Committee for Research Training (PFF). The Committee shall:
- Establish the framework for the operation of the PhD programme.
- Decide on admission to the PhD programme and formalise the supervisor relationship.
- Ensure that the departments have an adequate system for following up on PhD candidates.
- Follow up the quality assurance of the programme.
- Appoint adjudication committees for assessment of submitted PhD theses.
The Dean appoints academic coordinators responsible for the individual elements of the training programme, see section 5 below. The academic coordinators will plan and monitor seminars and other training activities within their respective areas.
4. Application and admission
The Faculty's Programme Committee for Research Training (PFF) decides on applications for admission and handles all matters related to admission to the PhD programme. Applications for admission must be written on a separate form and sent to the Faculty, represented by the Programme Committee. Admission takes place twice a year, with the application deadlines of 1 October and 1 March. Approval of (one) supervisor must take place at the latest upon admission to the PhD programme.
University research fellows do not need to apply separately for admission but are automatically admitted to the PhD programme when they start in the research fellow position.
To be admitted to the PhD programme, a master's degree in Law, including Criminology and Sociology of Law, or an equivalent university or college degree is required. The education programme at master's level must be of such a nature that it qualifies the candidate for conducting the research project for which the candidate is applying to write a thesis.
See supplementary rules for admission.
5. Theoretical training programme
The theoretical training programme comprises a total of one semester of full-time study (30 credits). The programme is organised within the framework of a three-year research training period. The training programme is compulsory for all candidates admitted to the PhD programme. Candidates are obliged to follow this programme unless they have been granted exemption by the Programme Committee for Research Training.
The training programme includes a set of compulsory courses (18 credits) and a set of elective courses (12 credits). Both parts with associated courses are mandatory for all PhD candidates. In addition to these 30 credits, candidates are required to complete and pass the midway assessment.
Compulsory courses (18 credits)
The compulsory courses of the training programme consist of four courses organised by the Faculty, represented by the Programme Committee for Research Training (PFF). The courses are structured as regular topics in the study of law in accordance with the qualification framework, with specified learning objectives and knowledge requirements, see also the course descriptions. Additionally, there is a requirement to attend two national PhD seminars, which are organised by the faculties of law at UiO, UiB and UiT.
The following courses are compulsory:
- JUR9010 - Philosophy of Science, scientific theory and research methods (4 credits)
- JUR9021 - Internationalisation, transnational law and Comparison (4 credits)
- JUR9031 - In perspective: history of law, sociology of law, economy of law (4 credits)
- JUR9041 - Research ethics, academic writing and dissemination of research (4 credits)
- JUR9201 - National PhD seminar in law 1 (1 credit)
- JUR9202 - National PhD seminar in law 2 (1 credit)
The courses will be taught annually, and at least every second year in English. There is a requirement to submit an essay for each course, according to current guidelines. The national PhD seminars are usually held in the autumn semester.
Elective courses (12 credits)
The elective part of the training programme consists of participation in international seminars and completion of an article for publication. Credit weighting and requirements of the article's level and content follow the guidelines of the faculty. It is the Programme Committee for Research Training (PFF) that approves the seminars and articles.
The elective part consists of:
- JUR9302 - Written work/article ready to publish (7 credits)
- JUR9503 - International seminars in law (5 credits)
6. Supervision
During the work on the thesis, the candidate is entitled to supervision, see section 8 (admission before 21 June 2007) and section 7 (admission after 21 June 2007) of the Regulations. Applications for appointment of supervisor(s) should be addressed to the Programme Committee for Research Training. The scope and length of the supervision are agreed between the candidate and the (main) supervisor and laid down in the contract after approval by the Programme Committee for Research Training. The Programme Committee for Research Training will base its approval on the following guidelines:
- The total amount of supervision over a four-year period may not exceed 248 hours, regardless of the number of supervisors.
- Time allocated to supervision shall be distributed across the total PhD period and should normally not exceed 31 hours per semester.
- The supervision time can be divided among several supervisors. All work carried out by the supervisor in relation to the PhD theses shall be considered a part of the supervision time.
During the work on the PhD thesis, the head of department/external party or the person so authorised must have an annual conversation with the candidate about supervision and working conditions, the progress of the work and other matters of importance to the candidate's well-being and professional development. The head of department shall maintain continuous contact with the supervisor. The candidate shall provide an annual progress report. The candidate may at any time during the PhD period request a conversation with the Programme Committee for Research Training.
See guidelines for progress reporting.
7. Thesis
The central element of the study programme is the independent work on an academic thesis. The thesis must be written in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English, German or French (see section 7(4) of the Regulations). Candidates can choose whether to write a monograph or an article-based thesis.
See guidelines on the scope and level/quality of the thesis
See guidelines for an article-based thesis.
8. Submission
The candidate must submit four copies of the thesis, together with a letter of submission and a copy of the letter confirming the approved training. When a positive assessment has been made, 50 copies of the doctoral thesis must be submitted.
9. Trial lecture
As a general rule, the trial lecture is held at the University of Oslo, and is conducted in the language of the thesis, unless the adjudication committee approves another language (see section 18 of the Regulations).
10. Defence of the thesis
The chair of the public defence presents a brief account of the submission and evaluation of the thesis, as well as the trial lecture and its assessment. Then, the first regular opponent presents the purpose and results of the academic investigation.