What the funding covers
- A salary: code 1017 positions at the University of Oslo advertised NOK 550,800–595,000 a year in 2026 (about 2% goes to the state pension fund).
- Employee rights, including paid holidays, parental leave and sick pay.
- No tuition fees for doctoral study.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition | None — Norwegian public universities charge no tuition for doctoral study |
| Living costs | Your salary as a research fellow, taxed like any other job |
| Residence permit — researchers employed in Norway apply as skilled workers | You pay the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration's application fee |
Who can apply
- Open to any nationality: you apply for an advertised position, like any job.
- Usually a master's degree (or equivalent) in the relevant field, with strong grades, and the project's specific requirements.
- English-language skills, and sometimes a willingness to learn Norwegian.
Documents you will need
- A cover letter written for that specific project and research group
- Your CV, transcripts and degree certificates, translated if they are not in English or a Scandinavian language
- Names or letters of referees, as the advertisement asks
- A project outline where the advertisement asks for one, and your master's thesis or other writing if requested
- Proof of English where required — each advertisement sets its own rules
How to apply
- Search jobbnorge.no, where Norwegian universities advertise their PhD research-fellow positions throughout the year.
- Read each advertisement's requirements and deadline — typically three to four weeks after posting.
- Apply online with a cover letter, CV, transcripts, degree certificates, references and often a project outline.
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed, usually by video.
Before you apply: things to know
- There is no single PhD programme to apply to — you apply project by project.
- Positions are competitive and attract applicants worldwide; tailor each letter to the project.
- Since 2023 Norway's public universities charge tuition to non-EU/EEA students at bachelor's and master's level — doctoral fellowships are the funded route.
Common questions
Is a PhD fellowship a student place or a job?
A job. You are a (temporary) university employee. Your enrolment in the PhD programme is separate from your employment contract, so the contract can end before you finish the PhD — plan your timeline carefully.
How long do I have to finish?
At NTNU, six years is the maximum time allowed for a PhD. Legal leave, long illness, duty work and approved part-time study are not counted in those six years.
Which residence permit do I need?
Researchers with an employer in Norway apply for a residence permit as a skilled worker, and pay an application fee to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
Related routes
University of Iceland — doctoral study
Rolling · open year-roundDetails →
Ghent University — Doctoral Scholarships (Global South)
Closed · next ≈ Feb 17, 2027Details →
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Due ≈ in 36 daysDetails →
Canada Graduate Research Scholarships — Doctoral (formerly Vanier)
Due ≈ in 5 daysDetails →
Sources
- Jobbnorge — Norwegian academic job listings
- NTNU doctoral candidates' organisation — Employment and salary
- UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) — Vocational training and research
- UDI — Skilled workers
Page reviewed Sep 25, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.