Guidelines for external PhD courses (SPS)

If a candidate wants to take courses at other institutions than SPS/OsloMet, they must first apply to the PhD Committee (DGU) for approval for these courses to be included in the coursework component of the PhD programme and to determine how many ECTS credits may be granted. Two main types of courses are typically relevant: methodology courses and elective courses.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind when choosing courses offered by institutions other than SPS/OsloMet:

1. First, it is important to confirm that the research course meets formal requirements, such as its academic level, and that it awards ECTS credits.
2. Course selection must always be made in consultation with the main supervisor, and a written recommendation from the supervisor should be provided. This is important because the PhD Committee (DGU) must later approve the externally taken courses as part of the candidate’s educational component.
3. The course must include a pass/fail assessment component in order to award credits.
4. Course expenses must generally be covered by the operating funds associated with the PhD position.

Applications for approval or pre-approval of PhD courses at another institution or faculty must be submitted via our online form:

• Application form (nettskjema.no)

The application must include a course description, including a reading list and a transcript or certificate of completion.

Course Requirements

For a 10 ECTS course, the following guidelines apply:

• Effective teaching time: Minimum of 20 hours of instruction, with at least four days of teaching.

• Literature: A reading list must be available well in advance of the start of the course. The amount of literature each participant is expected to engage with should normally total around 800 pages.
• Assessment: Essay and/or other individual assignments.