University of Bergen PhD Scholarships are among the best opportunities available for international students and researchers who want to pursue doctoral studies in Norway. These opportunities are usually offered as paid PhD research fellow positions at the University of Bergen. Instead of applying for one central scholarship, most applicants apply for a specific PhD vacancy announced by UiB, and selected candidates receive salary-based funding while working on a research project. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about University of Bergen PhD Scholarships 2027, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, financing requirements, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The University of Bergen, also known as UiB, is one of Norway’s leading research-intensive universities. It is located in Bergen, a historic coastal city known for research, culture, and international academic collaboration. UiB describes itself as Western Norway’s most important knowledge institution and an internationally oriented, research-intensive comprehensive university. The university has eight faculties, 40 departments, and more than 20,000 students, making it a strong destination for students who want high-quality research training in Europe. For more details about the university, applicants can visit the official About UiB page.
PhD education at the University of Bergen is different from traditional scholarship-based study in many countries. In Norway, PhD candidates are often treated as employees rather than only students. This means many PhD opportunities are advertised as research fellow vacancies, and selected candidates receive salary, employee rights, supervision, and structured doctoral training. Applicants should regularly check the official UiB vacant positions page because new PhD research fellow positions are announced throughout the year.
University of Bergen PhD Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution: University of Bergen
- Study Destination: Norway
- Duration: Usually 3 to 4 years, depending on the position and teaching duties
- Deadline: Varies by position
University of Bergen PhD Scholarship Coverage
University of Bergen PhD Scholarships are usually salary-based research positions rather than traditional tuition scholarships. Selected candidates are normally employed by UiB as PhD research fellows.
The benefits may include:
- Salary-based funding
- Full-time PhD research position
- Employment at the University of Bergen
- Temporary staff employee rights
- Paid leave rights in cases such as illness or parental leave
- Structured doctoral research training
- Academic supervision
- Access to research groups and academic networks
- Opportunity to teach, disseminate research, and participate in academic activities
- Opportunity to attend conferences and research stays abroad
- Access to UiB libraries, laboratories, research facilities, and academic support
- Employment-related benefits according to Norwegian rules
UiB states that PhD research fellows receive a salary and obtain temporary staff employee rights. If a PhD research fellow becomes ill or becomes a parent, they may have the right to paid leave, and the end date of the fellowship can be extended. Applicants should check the specific vacancy for exact salary, duration, duties, workplace, and employment conditions.
University of Bergen PhD Duration
PhD research fellow positions at UiB are usually temporary scientific positions.
UiB explains that internally funded or externally funded PhD positions normally have an employment period of 3 to 4 years, depending on whether the position includes teaching and supervision duties. A research fellow position is doctoral education with independent research tasks that should lead to a doctorate.
A UiB PhD may include:
- Independent doctoral research
- PhD coursework
- Research training
- Academic writing and publication
- Teaching or supervision duties, if included in the position
- Participation in conferences, seminars, and research groups
- Completion and defence of a doctoral thesis
Fields Available at the University of Bergen
PhD opportunities depend on current vacancies and faculty needs. The University of Bergen offers PhD education through the following academic areas:
- Humanities
- Science and Technology
- Medicine
- Social Sciences
- Law
- Psychology
- Fine Art, Music and Design
- University Museum and related research areas
UiB is particularly strong in marine research, climate, energy transition, and global societal challenges. The university also highlights strong research communities, international networks, Centres of Excellence, and EU-funded research activities. Applicants should use the official UiB vacancy page to find current PhD research fellow positions in their field.
Eligibility Criteria for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships
To qualify for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships, applicants must meet the requirements of the specific PhD vacancy or PhD program.
General requirements include:
- Applicants must have completed a master’s degree.
- The master’s education should normally be at least five years in total.
- Applicants must have full funding for the PhD period.
- Applicants must prepare a PhD project description.
- Applicants must meet faculty-specific admission requirements.
- Applicants must meet the academic requirements of the research fellow vacancy.
- Applicants must have a relevant academic and research background.
- Applicants must meet the language requirements of the position or faculty.
- Applicants must submit a complete application before the deadline.
- Applicants with foreign education may need additional documentation according to Norwegian recognition requirements.
The remaining requirements vary by faculty, academic field, and the specific PhD research fellow vacancy. This is why applicants should not rely only on general requirements. The most important step is to read the official vacancy carefully and match your application to the advertised project.
Required Documents for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships
Required documents vary by vacancy and faculty. However, applicants may need to prepare the following:
- Online application form
- Academic CV
- Motivation letter or cover letter
- Master’s degree certificate
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Diploma supplement, if available
- Documentation of foreign education, if applicable
- Master’s thesis or thesis abstract
- Project description or PhD research proposal
- Documentation of funding, if externally funded
- Publications or writing samples, if available
- Language proficiency documentation, if required
- Names and contact details of referees
- Recommendation letters, if requested
- Certificates of employment or research experience
- Any additional documents listed in the vacancy
UiB’s application guidance for academic positions emphasizes that applications should be complete, clear, and orderly. It also states that applications and attachments must be translated into English or a Scandinavian language, and diplomas and certificates must be attested.
For a stronger application, prepare a focused academic CV that highlights your education, master’s thesis, research experience, publications, technical skills, software skills, teaching experience, conferences, awards, and relevant projects. You can also use this guide to improve your CV: How to Write an Academic CV for Scholarships.
Your motivation letter should not be generic. It should explain why you are interested in the specific UiB PhD project, how your master’s research or professional experience matches the advertised position, and what skills you can bring to the research group. You can also read this guide: How to Write a Motivation Letter for Scholarship.
How to Apply for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships?
Please follow the application instructions to apply for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships:
(1) First, visit the official University of Bergen PhD education page to understand the basic admission requirements. UiB requires a completed master’s education, normally at least five years, full funding, and a PhD project description. This step is important because PhD admission in Norway normally requires funding before admission.
(2) After understanding the PhD requirements, visit the official UiB vacant positions page and search for current PhD research fellow positions. Open only the vacancies that match your academic background, master’s thesis, research methods, technical skills, and future research goals.
(3) Read the vacancy carefully before preparing your application. Each PhD position has its own department, research project, qualification requirements, application deadline, salary details, employment period, teaching duties, supervisor or research group, and required documents. Do not submit the same generic application to every position.
(4) Prepare your documents according to the specific vacancy. Your CV, cover letter, transcripts, master’s thesis information, research experience, publications, and technical skills should directly match the advertised PhD project. If the vacancy asks for a project description, writing sample, publication list, or documentation of foreign education, prepare and upload those documents exactly as requested.
(5) Submit your application electronically through the application link provided in the vacancy. UiB’s application process states that applications are submitted electronically through Jobbnorge, so applicants should follow the Jobbnorge link in the selected vacancy and upload all required documents before the deadline.
(6) If you are applying with external funding instead of an advertised UiB PhD position, contact the relevant faculty before applying. You will need to show documentation of financing, an admission or invitation letter, and other documents depending on your funding and residence status. International externally funded PhD candidates should also read UiB’s official external financing guidance.
(7) Before submitting, check that your application clearly proves three things: you meet the academic requirements, your background fits the research project, and your funding or advertised PhD position covers the full PhD period.
(8) Submit your application before the position deadline and keep checking your email. UiB’s process for temporary scientific positions may include professional assessment, interview, possible prior approval for admission to the PhD programme, and appointment.
Website
To know more about University of Bergen PhD Scholarships, please visit the official websites:
Official Vacant Positions Page
Frequently Asked Questions
What are University of Bergen PhD Scholarships?
University of Bergen PhD Scholarships usually refer to paid PhD research fellow positions at UiB. Selected candidates are normally employed by the university and receive salary-based funding while completing doctoral research.
Are University of Bergen PhD Scholarships fully funded?
Most advertised PhD research fellow positions at UiB are fully funded salary-based positions. However, applicants should check the exact salary, duration, employment conditions, and funding details in each vacancy.
Is there one central UiB PhD scholarship application?
No, UiB does not offer one central PhD scholarship application for all candidates. Most applicants apply for specific PhD research fellow vacancies announced on the UiB vacancies page.
What is the deadline for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships?
The deadline varies by position. Each PhD research fellow vacancy has its own closing date, so applicants should regularly check the official UiB vacancy page.
Who can apply for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships?
International and Norwegian applicants with a relevant master’s degree, full funding, a strong academic background, and a suitable PhD project profile can apply.
What academic qualification is required for UiB PhD admission?
UiB states that admission requires completed master’s education, normally of at least five years, in addition to full funding and a PhD project description.
How long is a PhD at the University of Bergen?
UiB PhD research fellow positions usually last 3 to 4 years, depending on whether the position includes teaching or supervision duties.
Can externally funded international PhD candidates apply?
Yes, externally funded international PhD candidates can apply, but they must contact the relevant faculty and follow the separate admission process. They may also need to provide documentation of financing and residence permit approval.
How can I apply for University of Bergen PhD Scholarships?
Applicants should search for open PhD research fellow positions on the official UiB vacancies page, prepare documents according to the specific vacancy, and submit the application electronically through the application link provided in the vacancy.
