Programme structure (2023–2026)

The structure and content of the programme

The normative length of the PhD programme is three years full-time study, with approximately 1500 to 1800 working hours annually.

The programme consists of a coursework component of 30 ECTS credits and an independent research training component of 150 ECTS credits, which culminate in a doctoral thesis for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). 

Coursework

The coursework component of 30 ECTS credits includes compulsory course attendance and coursework submission and is made up of a combination of compulsory and elective courses. Students may apply for the inclusion of ECTS credits from courses offered by other institutions in the coursework component, and thereby pursue opportunities to further specialise in topic areas or methods relevant for their specific PhD projects. Other training elements such as conference presentations or scientific courses may provide ECTS credits to the coursework component upon the programme committee's approval and adherence to the programme regulations.

The coursework component must be completed and approved before the thesis can be submitted for assessment.
Compulsory courses

Students are required to attend three compulsory courses providing a total of 15 ECTS, which are aimed at giving students a solid foundation for further research training within the context of this PhD programme.

The compulsory course Digitalisation and Society will provide a common ground for all students to understand how digitalisation develops, shapes and is shaped by society in different settings and contexts. Basic knowledge about different enabling technologies is emphasised, and applied examples from different disciplines are given. The students will also have the opportunity to focus on the digital technologies relevant for their individual PhD project, which altogether will provide both a broad overview and in-depth understanding of the processes of digitalisation in society.

The compulsory course Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics will provide the students with skills and knowledge in order to position their research projects within a wider theoretical and ethical context. Discussions of different understandings of what research is and may be, ethical reflections, as well as practical applications of legislation and guidelines in research are included. Emphasis will be placed on discussions related to digital technologies and society in various contexts. 

The compulsory course Research Methods: Methodology Matters encourages the students to reflect upon the choice of methods in their own research project, as well as provide training in critically evaluating the research methods used by others. The shape that a method takes is the result of methodological, theoretical, and ethical considerations. Therefore, the students will be exploring the traditional division of methodologies and their associated methods into broad categories of quantitative, qualitative, mixed and multiple methods research. 

Elective courses – 15 ECTS credits

Students are required to attend elective courses totalling 15 ECTS credits. Student may choose from the elective courses offered in this PhD programme, as listed in the table below and described in further detail in the course descriptions, or choose courses offered from other institutions.

The portfolio of elective courses offered in this PhD programme is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge within their own field of specialisation, as well as the opportunity to gain insight into other relevant topics and contexts related to digitalisation and society. All the elective courses take an interdisciplinary approach and are as such aimed at a broad community of students.

The Thesis
The Thesis is the central part of the PhD programme and represents an independent research project carried out under individual academic supervision. The independent research work consists of designing, carrying out and writing up an original research study addressing existing knowledge gaps within digitalisation and society, and should be executed to a high international standard.

The Thesis is usually composed of a summary of the scientific work, as well as the scientific articles published or submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals. The summary should include an introduction to the research field, the research questions and goals, an explanation of the selection and use of methods, a summary of the results and a discussion that positions the work within the state-of-the-art research field. The scientific work comprising the thesis must be placed into one context in the thesis summary.
Programme courses
The individual course descriptions provide further information.

Teaching, learning methods and forms of assessment

Teaching and learning methods

Different forms of teaching are provided within this programme such as lectures, seminars, group discussions and one-to-one supervision. In the compulsory and elective courses teaching is often based on a combination of lectures, seminars, discussions and practical work in smaller groups. Students will normally give oral presentations and/or write essays or papers. Learning outcomes will be achieved by participating in the teaching activities, writing and presenting individual work and self-studies.

The students will also attend national and international research workshops and conferences.
PhD students admitted to this programme are included in the institutional PhD Forum, which is organised by PhD students themselves. This forum will host activities where matters related to the PhD students research, training and work environment is discussed and will enable students to share their research and experiences, as well as acquire knowledge, through presentations and discussions with their peers.
PhD students may also be invited to present their work in the context of faculty seminars and research group discussions.
Workload

Courses that provide 5 ECTS credits have a workload of approximately 130 hours. This includes preparation, self-study, learning activities as well as coursework requirements and exams. The total workload for the study programme is estimated to approximately 1500 to 1800 hours annually.

Supervision
The PhD students are entitled to a minimum of 210 hours supervision during the study period. This includes the supervisors’ preparation.

Supervision is designed to allow students to develop skills in conducting independent research work, academic writing and ensure progression in the research process and the writing of the thesis. Supervision also includes guidance on defining the scope and delimitations of the project, formulating hypotheses and research questions, choosing and developing methods and analysing results.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the project is carried out with high scientific integrity in accordance with established ethical norms, and that students are given appropriate training and guidance accordingly.

Normally two supervisors are assigned to each PhD candidate, one defined as the main supervisor and the other as the co-supervisor. The main supervisor should preferably be employed at Østfold University College in a permanent position and have the primary academic responsibility for the candidate. If the main supervisor is not employed at ØUC, the co-supervisor must be employed at ØUC. Supervisors employed at ØUC are responsible for including the PhD candidate in an active research environment at the institution.

Requirements for supervisors, supervision obligations and rights are regulated by and further described in the PhD Regulations.

Assessment and exams

Assessments related to the coursework component are conducted in accordance with the regulations governing Examinations, Admission to Study and Degrees at Østfold University College.

Various forms of assessment are used and these are described in the specific course descriptions. All courses in the programme are graded pass/fail.

Annual progress reports

The PhD student and their main supervisor must submit an annual report detailing progress on the coursework and the research project. The annual progress reports will be assessed within a given time frame after submission and follow-up procedures are initiated if needed according to Østfold University College’s Quality Assurance System.

According to the regulations for research degrees at Østfold University College, failure to submit a report or reporting deemed unsatisfactory may result in the termination of the PhD agreement before the appointment period expires.

Midterm evaluation

Approximately halfway through the PhD programme, a midterm evaluation will take place. The midterm evaluation is compulsory for all candidates.

The purpose of the midterm evaluation is to assess the progress and scientific quality of the work done so far, and to provide feedback and advice which can aid candidates in successfully completing their PhD projects.

The evaluation is conducted by a panel of at least two experts appointed by the Programme Committee. Discussions are to be made with both the candidate and the supervisor(s). The candidate provides a presentation of the research and coursework achieved thus far, as well as a condensed plan and timeline for further work.

Completion of the PhD studies

The coursework component of the PhD programme must be approved by the Programme Committee before the candidate can apply for assessment of the thesis. Assessment is carried out in accordance with the regulations for the PhD programme.

The thesis assessment report should be completed within three months of the submission of the thesis, and the public defence should take place within two months after completion of the thesis assessment report.

The PhD in Digitalisation and Society is awarded based on:

• a successful coursework component

• an approved thesis

• a trial lecture on a specified and given topic

• an approved public defence of the thesis

The diploma will specify the title of the thesis and contain information about the coursework conducted as part of the training components.

Internationalisation

All courses are offered in English and are open to PhD students from other countries.

The research environment responsible for this programme has extensive international experience and collaborations within the areas of research represented in the programme. Furthermore, international researchers are invited to Østfold University College on a regular basis to give lectures and discuss current research in areas that are relevant for the PhD students.

In order to attain an international academic level, it is crucial that PhD students are exposed to and take part in international research communities. PhD students are therefore encouraged to visit a research environment abroad during their doctoral study. International PhD students are also encouraged to visit Østfold University College.

Programme evaluation

In order to offer relevant PhD teaching of high quality, we are reliant on feedback from candidates who have attended the programme.

Each individual academic environment is responsible for adopting appropriate evaluation methods and procedures at course level, as stated in Østfold University College’s Quality Assurance System.

In addition to course evaluations, Østfold University College conduct periodic evaluations of the PhD programme, as a whole.

Reading list

See the individual course description.