Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at VID Specialized University (translated)

Section 1. Scope of regulations

These regulations apply to any study programme that culminates in the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at VID Specialized University VID. The regulations provide rules that govern admission, completion and graduation, including for joint degree programmes and programmes governed by cotutelle agreements.

Section 2. Objective, scope and content of PhD programmes

Graduates from PhD programmes at VID Specialized University (VID) will be qualified to undertake research work of a high international standard and will be suited for work that requires a high level of scientific understanding and analytic thinking in accordance with good scholarly practice and research ethical standards.

PhD students will acquire knowledge, skills and competence commensurate with the 3rd cycle /doctorate level as set out in the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education.

The duration of PhD programmes has been set to three (3) years of full-time study, including a coursework module amounting to a minimum 30 ECTS credits.

The most important component of any PhD programme is the doctoral candidate’s independent research, conducted under active supervision.

The degree of PhD is awarded on the basis of:

a. Approval of the candidate’s scholarly thesis

b. Approval of a completed coursework module, or other approved academic training or competence

c. Approval of a trial lecture on a given topic

d. Approval of the candidate’s public defence of their thesis (disputation)

Section 3. Responsibility for PhD programmes

The Board of VID Specialized University carries overall responsibility for PhD programmes. The Board has delegated authority to manage the PhD programmes to the Rector, who will make decisions within the framework of these regulations.

Section 4. Quality Assurance

PhD programmes are covered by VID’s Quality Assurance system, cf. section 9.

Section 5. Admission, contract period and discontinuation

Section 5-1. Terms and conditions of programme admission

To secure admission to a PhD programme, applicants must normally have completed at least a five-year foundation programme, (i.e. Master’s degree or similar qualification), commensurate with the descriptions given for the 2nd cycle in the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education. Following individual assessment, VID may approve a different course of education as a basis for admission, if of equal merit. Applicants may be requested to attend particular courses and/or pass an admission test.

The application should include:

a. Documentation of the education on which admission to the programme is based.

b. Project description, including:

i. scholarly description of the project
ii. planned progression
iii. funding plan
iv. documentation of any special requirements in terms of academic and material resources
v. any planned residency at a different institution
vi. academic dissemination
vii. information about any restrictive intellectual property rights protecting the interests of other parties.

c. A plan for the coursework module, including courses that are aimed at providing general competence in accordance with the National Qualifications framework.

d. Proposal for at least one named supervisor, specifying their association with any active research community.

e. Description of any legal or ethical issues the project may raise, and how these will be resolved.

VID determines the specifics of the application form and may introduce requirements for further documentation.

As soon as possible, and no later than within three (3) months of programme admission, the PhD student and their main supervisor should together review the project description and consider any need for adjustments. The project description should describe the topic and the research questions and should state the chosen theoretical framework and methodology.

VID may introduce a residency requirement.

Applications for admission to a PhD programme should normally be submitted within three (3) months of commencing the research project intended to culminate in the award of a PhD degree. If there is less than one (1) year of full time project work remaining at the time of application, the application will be turned down, cf. section 5-3.

Section 5-2. Infrastructure

PhD students shall have access to the infrastructure they need for completing the research project. VID determines what infrastructure they consider necessary for completion. For PhD students who have secured external funding or employment, a contract will be drawn up between the university and the external party specifically for each research project. As a general rule, any such contract shall be in place at the time of programme admission, or immediately thereafter.

Section 5-3. Decisions concerning programme admission

Admission decisions are based on an overall assessment of the application. If a recruitment position has been advertised, criteria may be set for the ranking of qualified applicants.

The decision shall include the appointment of at least one supervisor and must allocate responsibility for the handling of other requirements that have been outlined in the application. The contract period must also be specified by start and end date. Any extension of the contract period must relate to the PhD student’s employment rights or funding plan.

Admission will be denied if:

a. agreements with an external third party will prevent publication and public defence of the thesis.

b. any pre-existing agreement concerning intellectual property rights is deemed to be unreasonable to the extent that it would be unwise for the institution to contribute to the project.

c. the applicant will be unable to meet the requirement that at least one year’s work on the project must be carried out after the student has been admitted to the PhD programme, cf. section 5-1.

Section 5-4. Contract period

The set duration of a PhD programme is three (3) years of full-time study. VID can make provisions for a set maximum period for completing the programme allowing for any statutory leave of absence and compulsory duties.

Any statutory breaks will lead to a proportionate extension of the contract period.

VID can extend the contract period on receipt of a reasoned application.

If an extension is granted, VID is at liberty to introduce further conditions.

At the end of the programme period, the parties’ rights and obligations under the PhD contract will cease to exist, which means that the PhD student may lose their entitlement to supervision, course participation and access to VID’s infrastructure. The doctoral candidate can nevertheless apply to have their thesis assessed for the degree of PhD.

Section 5-5. Discontinuation before the agreed end date

Withdrawal

It can be agreed with the PhD student that their period on the programme should be discontinued before the agreed end date. In the event of such withdrawal from the programme, the parties shall enter into a written agreement that regulates employment, funding, rights to research results and other issues.

If the PhD student chooses to withdraw because they wish to change their project or transfer to a different PhD programme, the student must apply for new admission based on the merits of the new project.

Enforced termination

VID can decide to enforce early termination of the PhD contract. Termination can only be enforced if one or several of the following circumstances apply:

1. Enforced termination due to delay or lack of progress

If one or more of the circumstances below apply, the institution may decide to enforce termination of the PhD contract:

- Considerable delay in completing the coursework module.

- The candidate has repeatedly or materially defaulted on fulfilling their duty to provide information, follow-up or reports, including failure to submit a progress report, cf. section 9.

- Delays in progressing the research project of a nature that generates reasonable doubt that the candidate will be able to complete the project according to the agreed timescale.

- Termination under these rules can only be enforced if the delay or lack of progress is due to circumstances within the PhD student’s control.

- Any enforced termination due to delay or lack of progress will be decided by the institution. Appeals against such decisions will be processed by the institution’s appeals committee.

2. Enforced termination due to cheating during an exam or test while on the PhD programme

Should cheating occur during an exam or test under the PhD programme, the institution can decide to annul the activity, cf. section 12-4 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.If the matter or matters are considered to be of a nature that amounts to misconduct, cf. section 12-4 of the same Act, cf. section 8, 2nd paragraph, of the Act relating to Research Ethics, the institution may decide to enforce termination.

Enforced termination due to cheating will be decided by the institution’s appeals committee.

Decisions made by the institution’s appeals committee may be referred to a national appeals body, cf. section 14-2, 1st paragraph, of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and associated regulations.

3. Enforced termination due to academic misconduct

If a PhD student is found to be guilty of academic misconduct, cf. section 13-2, 1st paragraph, of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, cf. section 5, 2nd paragraph, of the Act relating to Research Ethics, VID may decide to enforce termination.

Decisions on enforced termination due to academic misconduct will be made by VID’s appeals committee.

Any appeal concerning such decisions will be considered by the Ministry or a dedicated appeals body appointed by the ministry, cf. section 13-2, 1st paragraph, of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

Notice to quit and dismissal

Candidates may be given notice of dismissal if this is due to factual circumstances relating to the undertaking, the employer or the employee, cf. the Working Environment Act.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force on 27 August 2025).

Section 6. The PhD contract

Admission to VID’s PhD programme is confirmed by a written agreement between the PhD student, the supervisors and the institution. This agreement will set out the parties’ rights and obligations during the programme period and is intended to ensure that the PhD student regularly contributes to an active research community and to facilitate completion of the PhD programme within the agreed timescale. A special form of contract is prepared.

For PhD students who are in receipt of funding from or are employed by an external party, or who receive other contributions from an external party, an agreement must be entered into between the PhD student, VID and the external party. This contract will set out the terms and conditions of employment, including time set aside for work on the PhD project, the operating budget and the need for access to scientific equipment.

If the PhD student is to be affiliated with institutions abroad, an agreement must be drawn up that covers the respective parties’ rights, obligations and expectations.

 

Section 7. Supervision

Work on the PhD thesis shall be conducted under individual supervision. VID and the supervisor(s) must work together to ensure that the PhD student can contribute to an active research community.

Section 7-1. Appointment of supervisors

PhD students shall normally have two supervisors, one of whom will be appointed as main supervisor. This appointment should be made prior to programme admission.

The main supervisor has the principal academic responsibility for the PhD student. If an external main supervisor is appointed, a co-supervisor must be appointed from VID.

Co-supervisors are academic personnel who provide guidance and share the academic responsibility for the PhD student with the main supervisor.

Supervisors are subject to the rules on conflict of interest, as set out in the second chapter of the Public Administration Act ‘Concerning Disqualification’ (sections 6-10).

All supervisors must have a doctorate or equivalent qualifications in a relevant field and be actively engaged with research. At least one of the appointed supervisors should have previous experience of supervising PhD students or should have received PhD supervisor training.

The PhD student and the supervisor may request that a replacement supervisor is appointed for the student. The current supervisor cannot step down before a replacement supervisor has been appointed. Any dispute concerning the academic rights and obligations of the supervisor or PhD student can be submitted by the parties for resolution by VID.

Section 7-2. Supervisory activities

PhD students should have regular contact with their supervisors. The main supervisor is responsible for following up on their PhD student’s academic development. The frequency of contact should be made clear in annual progress reports, cf. section 9.

The main supervisor has a duty to keep informed about the PhD student’s progress and must assess this against the progress plan submitted with the project description, cf. section 5-1.

The main supervisor has a duty to follow up on academic matters that may lead to delayed completion of the programme, to ensure that this can be completed within the set timescale.

Supervisors are expected to provide advice on the wording and delimitation of themes and questions, discuss and assess hypotheses and methodologies, findings and their interpretations, consider the structure and presentation of the narrative, including its outline, language and documentation, and assist with finding appropriate academic literature and data sources, such as libraries and archives, etc. Supervisors also give PhD students guidance on ethical issues associated with the research for their thesis.

Section 8. The coursework module

Section 8-1. Objective, content and scope

PhD programmes shall be organized in a way that enables completion within the set timescale. The contract period may be extended due to leave of absence, as in accordance with the PhD student’s rights as an employee, cf. section 8-2.

VID Specialized University is responsible for ensuring that the coursework module, in combination with work on the thesis, provides high-level education in keeping with international standards. This will involve completion of a scholarly piece of work, training in academic dissemination and an introduction to research ethics, the philosophy of science and scientific methodology. In combination with their research, the PhD student’s coursework will ensure that they achieve the expected learning outcomes in line with the National Qualifications framework.

VID will offer the PhD student guidance about future employment opportunities in academic and other settings, including awareness-raising about the competence acquired by candidates through their research work.

If the full coursework module is not organized by VID, similar learning shall be facilitated at a different institution.

The coursework module shall account for at least 30 ECTS credits, of which at least 20 credits must be completed after admission to the programme. Mandatory coursework components should never be older than two (2) years on the date of programme admission.

The institution determines the content of the coursework module. The coursework module must have been completed and approved before the thesis can be submitted. Any application for amendment to an approved coursework plan must be prepared in consultation with the main supervisor.

Exemption may be granted for parts of the coursework module if similar qualifications have been attained at another educational unit or institution that provides approved training.

PhD-level courses provided by a different institution must be approved in compliance with the provisions set out in sections 9-1 and 9-3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force on 27 August 2025).

Section 8-2. PhD students’ rights to leave of absence

PhD students who take parental leave from their PhD programme, can nevertheless attend classes and take exams during their period of leave when this involves courses that make up the PhD student’s coursework module, in compliance with Chapter 14, section 14-10, 4th paragraph of the National Insurance Act and the circular issued by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administraion concerning section 14-10, 4th paragraph of 18 December 2006 [R14-00-2-F15], most recently amended on 1 June 2015.

Section 9. Reporting and mid-term evaluation

Section 9-1. Reporting

The University’s quality assurance system includes measures designed to uncover insufficient progression in work on the thesis and the coursework module, as well as inadequate supervision. The system also provides procedures for following up on any programme inadequacies that may be identified. PhD students and supervisors must submit a report at least once a year.

PhD students and supervisors carry equal responsibility for ensuring that reports are submitted. If a PhD student fails to submit a progress report, or submits an inadequate progress report, this may lead to enforced early termination of their PhD programme period, cf. section 5-5. Supervisors who fail to fulfil their reporting duties may be relieved of their supervisory responsibility.

If required, VID may introduce special reporting requirements.

Section 9-2. Mid-term evaluation

Mid-term evaluation of the doctoral work should normally take place in the third or fourth semester, or slightly later for part-time projects. PhD students must present their work for assessment by a group consisting of at least two individuals appointed by the institution. The assessment team will form an opinion about the academic status and progress of the doctoral work, and will give their feedback to the PhD student, the supervisor and VID.

Mid-term evaluation is a mandatory activity on the PhD programme, and feeds into the candidate’s application to defend their thesis in a public forum. Consequently, the mid-term evaluation is covered by sections 12-4 and 13-2 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, as well as section 5-5 of the Regulations for the Degree of PhD at VID Specialized University.

If the evaluation team reports on material weaknesses in the research work, measures must be taken to correct the situation.

Amended by regulations of 12 December 2016 no. 1568, 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force on 27 August 2025).

Section 10.The PhD thesis

Section 10-1.Requirements for the thesis

The thesis shall be an independent scholarly work that meets international standards for ethics, academic level and methodology within the discipline.

The thesis shall contribute to the development of new academic knowledge and must be of a standard suitable for publication or public dissemination in an appropriate format as part of the evidence-based development of knowledge within the field.

The thesis may take the form of a monograph or consist of a series of several smaller pieces of work. If the thesis consists of several smaller pieces of work, an account of how they are interlinked must be provided.

VID determines whether a thesis that has been produced jointly by several individuals, can be submitted for assessment if each individual contribution can be identified.

If the thesis or parts of the thesis have been developed in collaboration with other authors or partners, the doctoral candidate must follow the rules on co-authorship that are widely accepted in the field and that comply with international standards. If the thesis mainly consists of scholarly articles, the doctoral candidate shall normally be the first author of at least half the articles.

Theses that include works created by several authors or collaborative partners shall include a signed statement describing the PhD student’s contribution to each piece of work.

VID decides which languages may be used for any thesis.

Section 10-2. Works that are not approved

The requirement for ‘new academic knowledge’ under section 10-1 (2) means that:

a. Works, or parts thereof, cannot be accepted for evaluation if they have previously been approved as the basis for the candidate’s earlier examinations, assessments or degrees. However, data, analyses or methods from earlier degree projects can be fed into work on the PhD project.

b. Parts of work which in its entirety has been approved in the form of an essay or other activity in the PhD coursework module, can be included within the thesis if appropriately modified.

Sources must be cited for all references to earlier works. The references shall meet the academic standards within the relevant field.

Previously published works cannot be accepted as part of the thesis if at the time of admission to the PhD programme, more than five (5) years have passed since the date of publication. In extraordinary circumstances, VID may waive this requirement.

The thesis can be submitted for evaluation to only one educational institution, cf. section 13-1.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force on 27 August 2025).

Section 11. Duty to report research results with a potential for commercial utilization

There must be an agreement in place that regulates the rights of collaborating institutions.

PhD students employed by the institution are subject to the institution’s current rules regarding the reporting of work results with commercial potential that they produce during their period of employment.

Similarly, for PhD students with external employers, their duty to report such potential shall be incorporated within the agreement between the institution, the PhD students and the external employer.

For PhD students with no employer, a similar reporting obligation must be incorporated within the programme admission agreement between the institution and the PhD student.

Those parts of the doctoral thesis to which the PhD student has the sole intellectual property right, and any other academic works resulting from their thesis for which the PhD student is the sole copyright holder, may be copied free of charge for use in the institution’s research and teaching activities. For PhD students who are not employed by VID Specialized University, a separate agreement must be drawn up to cover similar use. Any such use is subject to crediting the PhD student by name, in accordance with legislation and good practice.

0 Amended in regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force on 27 August 2025).

Section 12. Evaluation

Section 12-1. Basis for evaluation

The degree of PhD is awarded on the basis of:

a. Approval of the candidate’s scholarly thesis

b. Approval of a completed coursework module, or other approved academic training or competence

c. Approval of a trial lecture on a given topic

d. Approval of the candidate’s public defence of their thesis (disputation).

Section 12-2. Time between submission of the thesis and its public defence

VID must strive to ensure that the period between submission of the thesis and its public defence is as short as possible. No more than five (5) months should normally pass between submission of the thesis and its public defence.

It is the responsibility of the main supervisor to provide notice of an imminent submission, to allow for the necessary preparations to be made.

Section 13. Submission

Section 13-1.Submission of the thesis

An application to have a thesis evaluated can only be submitted when the coursework module has been approved. The application should be addressed to VID.

Mandatory attachments to the application:

a. Sufficient copies of the thesis in the approved format (hardcopy, digital). Four (4) copies will normally suffice.

b. Documentation of completed coursework module.

c. Documentation of any necessary permission or consent, cf. section 5-1.

d. Co-authorship statements if this is required under section 10-1.

e. Statement declaring whether the doctoral work is being submitted for evaluation for the first or second time.

f. Statement that the doctoral work has not been submitted for evaluation to any other institution.

An application to have a thesis evaluated may be turned down if the thesis clearly is of an academic standard that is insufficiently high and will be rejected by a committee.

The thesis must be made available in the public domain no later than two weeks prior to the candidate’s public defence of the thesis, cf. section 18-2.

Section 13-2. Processing the application

VID processes the application for evaluation of the thesis. Any application that fails to meet the requirements set out in section 13-1 shall be rejected.

Section 14. Appointment of an evaluation committee

When an application for evaluation of a thesis has been approved, VID will appoint a committee of at least three experts who will evaluate the thesis and its public defence. Committee members are subject to the impartiality rules set out in section 6 of the Public Administration Act.

The committee’s membership should normally have been agreed at the time of submission.

The evaluation committee will normally be made up to ensure that:

a. Both sexes are represented

b. At least two members have no affiliation with VID Specialized University

c. At least one member does not have a Norwegian institution as their main employer

d. All members have a doctoral degree or similar competence

e. The majority of committee members are external examiners.

If these criteria are waived, the grounds for any such decision shall be explained in detail.

VID determines the appointment procedure. The grounds on which the committee’s composition has been decided must be set out, and an explanation provided of how its membership together covers the scholarly field of the thesis. The chair of the committee will be appointed from among its members, or in addition to its members.

Appointed supervisors and other individuals who have contributed to the thesis, cannot be a member of the evaluation committee or act as its co-ordinator.

If required, VID may appoint a substitute member of the evaluation committee.

The doctoral candidate shall be notified of the proposed composition of the committee and has an opportunity to submit their written comments no later than one week after being notified of the committee’s proposed membership.

Section 15. Work of the evaluation committee

Section 15-1. Obtaining supplementary information

The evaluation committee may require submission of the doctoral candidate’s source material and any supplementary or clarifying information.

The evaluation committee may request that the supervisor gives an account of their supervision and the work on the thesis.

Section 15-2. Revision of a submitted thesis

After the thesis and any supplementary material is submitted, the evaluation committee may recommend that permission be given for a minor revision of the thesis and any supplementary material before making their final recommendation, cf. section 15-1. The committee shall specify in writing which aspects of the thesis require such revision.

If permission is given for a minor revision of the thesis, a deadline for revision must be set that normally shall not exceed six (6) months. A new deadline shall also be set for submission of the committee’s final recommendation. The new deadline is final.

If the committee finds that fundamental changes in the theories, hypotheses, material or methodology employed in the thesis are necessary before the work can be recommended as meriting a public defence, the thesis must be rejected.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force 27 August 2025).

Section 15-3. Recommendation of the evaluation committee

The evaluation committee delivers its recommendation on whether the thesis merits defence for the PhD degree. The recommendation and any dissenting opinions must be substantiated. 

The evaluation committee shall normally deliver its recommendation within three (3) months of receiving the thesis. If the committee gives permission for a revision of the thesis, the new deadline shall begin from the date the thesis is resubmitted.

The recommendation of the evaluation committee is delivered to VID, which informs the doctoral candidate. He/she is given a deadline of ten (10) working days to comment on the recommendation in writing. If the doctoral candidate does not wish to comment, the institution must be informed of this in writing as soon as possible

Any comments from the doctoral candidate shall be submitted to the institution, which will make the decision in the case in accordance with section 16.

Section 15-4. Correction of formal errors in the thesis

A submitted thesis may not be withdrawn before a final decision has been reached as to whether it merits a public defence. 

The doctoral candidate may apply for permission to correct formal errors in the thesis after submission. The application must be accompanied by a complete overview of the errors (errata) that they wish to correct. The application to correct formal errors must be submitted at the latest four (4) weeks prior to the committee’s deadline for its recommendation, and can only be made once.

Section 16. Processing of the evaluation committee’s recommendation

VID decides, on the basis of the evaluation committee's recommendation, whether a doctoral thesis merits public defence. 

Unanimous recommendation

If the committee’s recommendation is unanimous and the institution agrees with this, a decision is made in accordance with the unanimous recommendation.

If the institution finds that there are reasonable doubts as to whether the committee’s unanimous recommendation should be endorsed, further clarification from the evaluation committee must be sought and/or two new experts must be appointed to give individual opinions on the thesis. Any such supplementary or individual statements must be presented to the doctoral candidate, who shall be given the opportunity to comment.

VID shall make a decision on the basis of the committee’s recommendation and the statements received.

Split recommendation

If the committee submits a split recommendation and VID supports the majority opinion, the decision is made in accordance with the majority recommendation. If the committee submits a split recommendation and VID supports the minority opinion, further clarification may be sought from the evaluation committee and/or two new experts may be appointed to provide individual statements on the thesis. Such clarifications or individual reports must be presented to the doctoral candidate, who should be given an opportunity to comment. If both the new experts agree with the majority opinion in the committee’s original recommendation, this recommendation shall be adopted.

The doctoral candidate must be informed of the outcome after the statements from the new experts have been considered.

Section 17. Re-submission

A doctoral thesis that has been found not to merit defence may be re-evaluated in a revised version no earlier than six (6) months after the institution’s decision. A thesis may only be re-evaluated once. 

When re-submitting a thesis, the doctoral candidate must state that the work has been previously evaluated and was found not to merit defence. 

Section 18. Public availability of the thesis

Section 18-1. Requirements for the printed thesis

Once the thesis has been found to merit defence, the doctoral candidate must submit the thesis to VID in the approved format and in the number of copies determined by the institution. The doctoral candidate shall submit a digital abstract of the thesis in both English and Norwegian. If the thesis is not written in either English or Norwegian, an abstract in the language of the thesis must also be submitted. The abstract shall, like the thesis itself, be made publicly available.

Section 18-2. Public availability

The thesis must be made publicly available no later than two (2) weeks before the date set for the public defence. The thesis shall be made available in the form in which it was submitted for evaluation, or, where applicable, after revision on the basis of the committee’s preliminary comments, cf. section 15-2.

No restrictions may be placed on the public availability of a doctoral thesis except for a postponement of the publication date agreed upon in advance. No external party may require that all or parts of the doctoral thesis be withheld from the public domain, cf. section 5-3.

When publishing the thesis, doctoral candidates shall comply with the current guidelines for crediting institutions. The general rule is that an institution must be listed as an address in a publication if it has provided a necessary and substantial contribution to, or basis for, an author’s contribution to the published work. The same author must also list other institutions as an address if, in each individual case, they meet the requirements for contribution.

Section 19.The PhD examination

Section 19-1.Trial lecture

After the thesis has been submitted for evaluation, cf. section 15, the doctoral candidate shall deliver a trial lecture. The trial lecture is an independent part of the PhD examination, and must be on a given topic. The aim is to test the candidate’s ability to acquire knowledge beyond the topic of the thesis and their ability to communicate this knowledge in a lecture setting.

The title of the trial lecture will be announced to the doctoral candidate ten (10) working days before the trial lecture. The topic of the lecture will address subject matter that may be related to, but expands on, the topic of the thesis.

If VID decides to schedule the trial lecture in connection with the public defence, the evaluation committee shall determine the topic of the trial lecture and be responsible for its evaluation. If the two examinations are evaluated separately, VID shall appoint a separate committee to determine the topic of the trial lecture. At least one member of the evaluation committee shall be appointed as a member of the lecture committee.

The trial lecture must be given in the language of the thesis unless the institution approves another language.

The institution decides whether candidates pass or fail their trial lecture. If it is recommended that the trial lecture not be approved, clear reasons must be given.

If the trial lecture is not approved, the public defence can be held and a new trial lecture given on a new topic. The doctoral examination is only approved when both the trial lecture and the public defence have been approved.

Amended by regulations of 5 December 2023 no. 2517.

Section 19-2. Public defence of the thesis (disputation)

The public defence of the thesis shall take place after the trial lecture has been delivered and approved, and within two months of the institution's decision that the thesis merits a public defence. 

The time and place of the public defence shall be announced at least ten (10) working days in advance. 

The committee that originally evaluated the thesis shall also evaluate the public defence. The public defence must be held in the language of the thesis unless VID approves the use of another language. 

There shall normally be two opponents, who must be members of the evaluation committee and shall be appointed by VID. In special cases, opponents can be appointed who have not been members of the committee.

The public defence will be chaired by the Rector, or the Rector’s proxy. The person chairing the public defence will briefly describe the submission and evaluation of the thesis. Thereafter, the doctoral candidate shall account for the purpose and the results of the scientific investigation.

The first opponent introduces the case to be made by the opposition. The second opponent gives the final remarks.

If appropriate, a different allocation of responsibilities may be decided between the opponents, and between the doctoral candidate and the first opponent. After the first opponent has concluded, members of the audience shall be given the opportunity to comment ex auditorio. The second opponent concludes the opposition’s case, after which the chair closes the public defence. The evaluation committee gives an account of how the public defence of the thesis was assessed. In conclusion, their recommendation shall state whether or not they have approved the public defence. If the defence is not recommended for approval, reasons must be given for the decision.

Section 20. Approval of the doctoral examination

VID makes a decision on the approval of the doctoral examination based on the recommendation of the assessment committee.

If the trial lecture is not approved, a new trial lecture must be delivered. This must address a new topic and must be delivered within six (6) months of the first attempt. A new trial lecture can be delivered only once. It should be evaluated, if possible, by the original committee, unless otherwise decided.

If the public defence is not approved, the doctoral candidate may defend the thesis once more. A second defence cannot be presented sooner than six (6) months after the date of the original defence and should be evaluated, if possible, by the original committee.

Section 21. Conferral of degree and diploma

On the basis of the report confirming that the coursework module, the thesis, and the doctoral examination have been approved, the doctoral candidate is awarded the degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) by VID’s board, and a diploma is issued. The diploma shall provide information about the doctoral candidate’s completed academic training. The institution stipulates what further information should be included in the diploma.

Section 22. Diploma Supplement

A Diploma Supplement shall be issued in line with current guidelines.

Section 23. Appeals

Section 23-1.Appeal against rejection of an application for admission, against a decision to enforce termination due to delay or lack of progress, and against rejection of an application for approval of elements of the coursework module

 If an application for admission is rejected, or enforced termination is decided due to delay or lack of progress, or an application for approval of elements of the coursework module is rejected, then an appeal can be lodged pursuant to the provisions of section 28 of the Public Administration Actet seq. A reasoned appeal shall be submitted to the institution. If the rejection is upheld, the appeal shall be forwarded without undue delay to VID’s appeals committee.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force 27 August 2025).

Section 23-2. Appeals related to examinations in the coursework module

Examinations taken as part of the coursework module may be appealed pursuant to section 11-10 of the Act of 8 March 2024 no. 9 relating to Universities and University Colleges, ‘Appeal against the grade – right to an explanation’ and section 11-9 ‘Appeal on the grounds of formal errors during the exam’.

Suspected cheating or attempts at cheating shall be handled in accordance with section 12-4 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges‘Annulment of examination or test’.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force 27 August 2025).

Section 23-3. Appeal against rejection of an application for evaluation or non-approval of the thesis, trial lecture or public defence

If an application for evaluation of a thesis is rejected, or if a decision is made not to approve a thesis, trial lecture or public defence, an appeal can be lodged pursuant to the provisions of section 28 of the Public Administration Act, et seq. A reasoned appeal shall be submitted to VID. If the rejection is upheld, the appeal shall be forwarded without undue delay to VID’s appeals committee.

The institution can appoint individuals or a committee to assess the evaluation and the criteria on which this is based, or to carry out a new or supplementary expert evaluation.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force 27 August 2025).

Section 23-4. Appeal against a decision to enforce termination due to academic misconduct

An appeal against a decision by VID’s appeals committee on enforced termination of the PhD programme due to academic misconduct is dealt with by the Ministry or by a special appeals committee appointed by the Ministry, cf. section 13-2 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

Amended by regulations of 2 June 2025 no. 1712 (entry into force 27 August 2025)

Section 24. Joint degrees and cotutelle agreements

Section 24-1. Joint degrees and cotutelle agreements

VID can enter into partnership agreements with one or more Norwegian or foreign institutions to enable cooperation in the form of joint degrees or cotutelle agreements.

Exceptions to the other provisions in these regulations can be made in the case of joint degrees and cotutelle agreements in order to comply with the regulations of the partnership institutions. Such exceptions, individually and as a whole, must be clearly justifiable.

Section 24-2. Joint degrees

Joint degrees involve cooperation between two or more institutions, which jointly share responsibility for admission, supervision, the award of the degree and other matters described in these regulations. The collaboration is normally organized as a consortium and governed by an agreement between the consortium members. On completion of a joint degree, a joint diploma shall be issued in the following form: a) a diploma document issued by all the consortium members, b) a diploma issued by each of the consortium members individually, or a combination of a) and b).

Joint degrees shall normally be undertaken only where there is an established and stable academic collaboration between VID and at least one of the other consortium participants. VID’s board shall adopt more detailed guidelines for joint degree cooperation, including a template for partnership agreements, cf. first paragraph.

Section 24-3. Cotutelle agreements

Cotutelle agreements refer to joint supervision of doctoral candidates and cooperation on their doctoral education. A cotutelle agreement is made for each individual student and should be based on stable, academic cooperation between the institutions. 

Section 24-4. Academic requirements for joint degrees and cotutelle agreements

The required qualifications for programme admission cannot be waived, nor can the requirement for public accessibility of the thesis and its public defence before an impartial evaluation committee.

Section 25. Guidelines and supplementary provisions

The Rector shall set out guidelines and supplementary provisions to these regulations.

Section 26. Entry into force

These regulations enter into force on 1 January 2016 and rescind the following previous guidelines:

Regulations of 27 August 2011 no. 1547 for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at Diakonhjemmet University College.

Regulations of 25. April 2014 no. 953 for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the School of Mission and Theology.