PhD Courses
USN has six PhD programmes, each offering a variety of courses that are open to external as well as internal candidates.
Study facts
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Campus: Bø, Drammen, Hønefoss, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Rauland, Vestfold and Online -
Credits: 5-10 -
Duration: 1 semester -
Teaching Language: Norwegian, English -
Teaching model: Campus -
Admission requirements
How to apply?
- Internal candidates sign up through StudentWeb.
- External/non-USN candidates: Don't hesitate to get in touch with the PhD coordinator of the relevant programme for more information. You may also contact jeanne.m.schoenwandt@usn.no, Research Office, for further information.
Mandatory course for all PhD candidates
Theory of Science and Research Ethics (5 ECTS)
This course addresses advanced questions concerning the theory of science and research ethics. Based on a selection of topics set out in the course plan, candidates will acquire insight into key and contemporary understandings of how science is being thought of and practised in a variety of fields (Theory of Science), combined with thoughts related to scientific research (Research Ethics). The course will enable participants to focus on relevant questions in chosen academic fields and research traditions, and on research that crosses disciplinary boundaries.
The following book will be used as a key reference during the course, and will be supplemented by a series of articles etc.
Peter Godfrey-Smith, 2021. Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science, University of Chicago Press, Second Edition.
In addition, all candidates must become familiar with their disciplinary ethical guidelines, which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.forskningsetikk.no/en/guidelines/.
Note: USN is opening up the Spring 2026 course to non-USN PhD Candidates. If you are a non-USN PhD candidate and would like to enrol in the course, please contact jeanne.m.schoenwandt@usn.no.
Practical information:
- Registration opens for the Spring 2026 term on December 1 and closes on February 1.
- USN PhD candidates must register for the course through Studentweb.
- Startup and final webmeetings: participants will meet online one time before and one time after the course. Dates to be determined.
- Dates: March 2-5, 2026, on-site.
- Course site: USN's Rauland campus / Raulandsakademiet. We will organise transportation to Rauland from selected locations if there are sufficient numbers of participants to make this viable. USN will cover the cost of room and board during the course for USN doctoral candidates.
Elective courses for all PhD candidates
Literature Management and Scholarly Communication (5 ECTS)
Humanities, Cultural and Educational Sciences
Spring 2026
Application deadline: February 1
USN candidates should register using StudentWeb.
External candidates should complete this registration form
9211 Visual and Multi-sensory Methods Week 19
9211 Visual and Multi-sensory Methods
Contact person: Lars Frers
HIU 9106 Early childhood education – concepts, contexts and complexities Week 11
HIU 9106 Early childhood education – concepts, contexts and complexities
Contact persons: Karin Hognestad and Marit Bøe
HIU9105 Critical Theories and Narratives Week 9
HIU9105 Critical Theories and Narratives
Contact persons: Gabriela Mezzanotti and Åsne Håndlykken-Luz
HIU9107 Conversation- and interaction analysis in everyday and institutional contexts
HIU9107 Conversation- and interaction analysis in everyday and institutional contexts
April 7. - 9. 2026 Campus Vestfold/Bakkenteigen
The course consists of three days:
Day 1: PhD workshop: Introduction to EMCA, part 1: the conversation analytic approach
Day 2: PhD workshop: Introduction to EMCA, part 2: Transcribing for multimodal conversation analysis
Day 3: PhD workshop: Data sessions and oral presentations
Contact person: Professor Karianne Skovholt (USN): karianne.skovholt@usn.no
Teaching staff:
Jessica Pederson Belisle Hansen (HiØ), Rein Ove Sikveland (NTNU) and Karianne Skovholt (USN)
See curriculum here and preliminary program to the PhD course here
Contact
Please contact phdhku@usn.no for questions.
Research seminar 13.-14. April 2026 (Week 16)
Contact persons: Sigrun Svenkerud and Jo Inge Frøytlog
9211 Visual and Multi-sensory Methods Week 19
Contact person: Lars Frers
HIU 9106 Early childhood education – concepts, contexts and complexities Week 11
Contact persons: Karin Hognestad and Marit Bøe
HIU9105 Critical Theories and Narratives Week 9
Contact persons: Gabriela Mezzanotti and Åsne Håndlykken-Luz
HIU9107 Conversation- and interaction analysis in everyday and institutional contexts
Conversation and interaction analysis in everyday and institutional settings
April 7. - 9. 2026 Campus Vestfold/Bakkenteigen
This course is aimed at PhD candidates who investigate interaction in various everyday- and institutional contexts. The course provides theoretical knowledge and basic skills in transcribing and analyzing (verbal and multimodal) interaction within a conversational analytical framework (Ethnomethodology and conversational analysis: EMCA). The course places conversation analysis in a broader theoretical and methodological context and deals with research ethical issues related to research on video-recorded interaction in various professions. The course is offered across faculties, professions, and disciplines. Some familiarity with conversation analysis and data collection would be an advantage.
The course consists of three days:
- Day 1: PhD workshop: Introduction to EMCA, part 1: the conversation analytic approach
- Day 2: PhD workshop: Introduction to EMCA, part 2: Transcribing for multimodal conversation analysis
- Day 3: PhD workshop: Data sessions and oral presentations
Contact person: Professor Karianne Skovholt (USN): karianne.skovholt@usn.no
Teaching staff:Jessica Pederson Belisle Hansen (HiØ), Rein Ove Sikveland (NTNU) and Karianne Skovholt (USN)
See curriculum here and preliminary program to the PhD course here
USN candidates should register using StudentWeb.
External candidates should complete a registration form and return via Nettskjema. The application form opens on December 1.
Contact
Please contact phdhku@usn.no for questions.
Ecology
No offers at the present time.
Management
Courses offered Spring 2026
| Course code | Name | ECTS | Requirement |
| ORG6000 | Motivasjon og mestring* | 5 | Optional |
*The teaching language is Norwegian.
USN candidates should register using Studentweb
External candidates please contact Phd Administration
Nautical Operations
Spring 2023
|
Subject code |
Name |
ETCS |
|---|---|---|
|
Maritime Logistics and Port Operation Management |
5 |
|
|
Task Analysis in Maritime Socio-technical Systems |
5 |
|
|
Decision Making and Performance Assessment |
5 |
|
| TE9107 | Systems Thinking | 7.5 |
USN candidates should register using StudentWeb.
Person, Health and Society
Fall 2025
| Subject code | Name | ECTS | Date | Application | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PHDQUAN510 |
Main teacher: Ragnhild Sørum Falk |
5 |
October 28th November: 10th, 17th, 25st |
Studentweb. Application form for external applicants Extended deadline oct. 15th. |
||
|
Mandatory** |
Main teachers: Tore Norendal Braathen |
5 |
The course has been cancelled, for fall 2025. |
Studentweb. Application form for external applicants (applicants outside USN).
|
||
| PHDWP500 |
Health- and welfare policy, research, and service development |
5 | The course has been cancelled, for fall 2025. |
Studentweb. Deadline September 1st. |
||
| Theory and methods in collaborative research | 5 | 3rd-5th December. |
Studentweb. Application form for external applicants (applicants outside USN). Deadline November 3rd. |
|||
Spring 2026
|
Subject code |
Name | ECTS | Date | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 |
9.3, 10.3, 11.3. |
Application deadline: February 2nd. |
||
|
PHDQUAL500
|
Qualitative Research | 5 |
23.3, 24.3, 28.4. |
Application deadline: February 2nd. |
| PHDCT500 |
5
|
17.-18.3, 21.-22.4, 20.5 (digital in May) | Application deadline: February 2nd. |
USN candidates should register using Studentweb
External candidates should complete a registration form via the courses webpage (se links in the form above). If you cannot find the link or experience issues with them, please contact: phdhealthcare@usn.no
* PhD candidates have to choose one out of two different methods courses
** The course is mandatory for all ph.d. candidates enrolled in the Person, Health and Society program
Please note that the above dates are subject to change. Course plans may be revised before the course is offered again.
Technology
Please see our official website for the Technology programme for course descriptions (under study plan, elective courses).
Admission requirements
Admission requires a master's degree, normally with a grade of B or better.