Regulations and guidelines - doctoral degrees NMBU

On this website, you will find an overview of all overarching regulations, faculty-specific supplementary regulations, and guidelines governing doctoral education at NMBU. This is an important resource for PhD and Dr. Philos. candidates, supervisors, administrative staff, and external evaluation committees. Please note that the English translations are for information purposes only. For all legal purposes, the original documents in Norwegian are the authoritative versions.

Regulations

The Philosophiae Doctor degree (PhD)

Regulations for the PhD degree at NMBU (Link to Lovdata.no/English version)

Adopted by the University Board of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences on 13 November 2024. In force from 1 January 2025.

Supplementary provisions to the PhD regulations, set by the NMBU Faculties:

The Doctor Philosophiae degree (Dr. Philos.)

The degree Dr. Philos. is awarded to academics that have qualified for the doctoral degree by own means, without being admitted into a doctoral degree programme and receiving supervision. Read more

Regulations for the Dr. Philos. Degree at NMBU (Link to Lovdata.no)

Adopted by the University Board of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences on 13 November 2024. In force from 1 January 2025.

Guidelines:

• NMBUs Ethical guidelines
• Guidelines for the use of AI in doctoral work and for the assessment of doctoral degrees (New!)
• Guidelines for the content of the coursework component in doctoral education (New!)
• Guidelines for the use of authors' addresses
• Temporary guidelines for hiring in Recruitment Positions (approved 8 June 2025 - only in Norwegian)
• Guidelines for Research Data Management

1. Evaluation of PhD theses, the trial lecture and the public defence

NMBU has overarching, joint guidelines for the evaluation of PhD theses, trial lectures, and public defences. In addition, several faculties have chosen to establish their own guidelines tailored to their specific academic fields. Check if your faculty has its own guidelines listed below. If your faculty does not have its own guidelines, you must follow NMBU’s overarching joint guidelines.

Joint NMBU guidelines:

• Guidelines for evaluation of the PhD thesis, the trial lecture and the public defence (New!)

Faculty-specific guidelines for evaluation:

• Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT)
• School of Economics and Business (HH)
• Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences (KBM)
• Faculty of Landscape and Society (LANDSAM)
• Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK)
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VET)

2. Writing the introductory chapter ("Kappen")

NMBU has developed central guidelines on how to write the introductory chapter ("kappen") of a PhD thesis. Some faculties have supplementary guidelines that specify additional academic requirements. You must always adhere to NMBU’s overarching guidelines. However, check the list below to see if your faculty has supplementary rules you must follow in addition.

Joint NMBU guidelines:

• Guidelines for the Introductory chapter of an article-based PhD thesis (New!)

Faculty-specific guidelines for writing the introductory chapter:

• Faculty of Biosciences
• Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
• Faculty of Landscape and Society
• Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (see also MINA supplementary material)
• Faculty of Science and Technology
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• School of Economics and Business

Useful links:

• National Research Ethics Committees' Library
• The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions (National guidelines and handbooks)