To be admitted to a PhD programme, applicants must normally hold a master's degree that includes a substantial independent research project equivalent to a master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS, in accordance with the learning outcomes described in the Norwegian Qualifications Framework, Level 7. Following a special assessment, the Faculty may approve other equivalent education as a basis for admission.

Applicants must have a strong academic background relevant to their field of study and a weighted average grade from the final two years of their master's degree programme, or equivalent education, corresponding to a grade B or better according to NTNU's grading scale. Applicants with lower grades may nevertheless be admitted if the Faculty considers it documented that the candidate is particularly well qualified for doctoral studies, for example through relevant professional experience and/or peer-reviewed scientific publications.

PhD positions funded by NTNU (through the Ministry of Education and Research, the Research Council of Norway (RCN), or EU programmes) are advertised throughout the year; see available PhD positions at NTNU | Jobbnorge. Funding may also be provided through RCN schemes such as the Industrial PhD scheme and the Public Sector PhD scheme. In addition, funding may be provided by companies or research institutions.

Candidates who have external funding, or are self-funded, are not employed by NTNU but are granted an affiliation agreement. The department must ensure that NTNU’s minimum requirement for gross monthly salary is met and that candidates have sufficient operating funds available throughout the admission period. (Se forøvrig eget punkt under Rekruttering ved IE,  HR ved IE - Knowledge base - NTNU). 

For applicants who are not fully funded through scholarship schemes, admission requires that at least 50% of their working time is available for PhD studies equivalent to three years of full-time study, in accordance with the PhD agreement.

All candidates must provide an account of how they will fulfil the residency requirement (one year or more) and how they will participate in an active and robust research environment connected to the PhD programme.

Dr.philos – Read more about an alternative route to a doctoral degree, without formal admission to a PhD programme or appointed supervision. Please contact the Faculty at phd@ie.ntnu.no if you are considering pursuing a dr.philos. degree at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.