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Study and research abroad - PhD

PhD candidates can have a study and research period abroad during their PhD training if they wish. The candidate must, in collaboration with supervisor, obtain funding for the period abroad.

The University of Oslo participates in international research collaboration through bilateral agreements, EU and cooperation agreements. The research groups at the Faculty of Social Sciences (in Norwegian only) collaborate with a number of national and international organizations. The Faculty encourages its candidates to have an international focus. International experience will be crucial for your future job opportunities as a researchers, as well as for ensuring external project funding. A stay abroad also gives you valuable experience and the opportunity to establish contacts and build networks.

The most common types of staying abroad are:

  • as a visiting researcher (short: 2 weeks to 3 months, or long: 3-12 months)
  • conference participation
  • participation in PhD courses or seminars
  • field work

You should consult your supervisor when planning a stay abroad.

Funding support for research abroad

The Faculty has made an overview over funding schemes promoting researcher mobility, including an overview of announcements for students and PhD candidates (both pages in Norwegian only). In addition, you should consult:

Exchange agreements

Exchange agreements with other universities are organized for longer stays. These agreements can usually be used both for research trips and courses abroad, and often provide practical and economic advantages compared with ordinary guest researchers’ stays.

See general overview of exchange agreements for PhD candidates (in Norwegian).

Erasmus +

All PhD candidates can go on a student exchange with Erasmus and get scholarships on an equal footing with students. The minimum period for such stays is 3 months and presupposes that the Faculty or Department to which you are affiliated has signed an exchange agreement for PhD candidates with the educational institution abroad.

See list of Erasmus agreements for PhD candidates (in Norwegian).

If you are employed as a research fellow at the University you can also apply for Erasmus funding in order to teach at another university for a period, or for training or taking courses.

Application procedures for exchange may be different for PhD candidates than for students at undergraduate level. You should therefore get in touch with the administration of the PhD programme well in advance if you are considering using an exchange agreement.

Cotutelle agreements

A cotutelle agreement generally means that you are admitted to the PhD programme and get supervision by two institutions. The association with the institutions will as a general rule appear on the thesis and diploma supplement after the degree is awarded. Such agreements are prepared in cooperation with the Faculty.

Published Apr. 22, 2015 8:22 AM - Last modified Feb. 6, 2020 2:25 PM