Admission to the PhD programme

Admission to the PhD programme

The application deadline for the main admission is 15 September/January.

Vacant positions for the main admission are normally announced mid-June  and mid-November on NHHs vacant positions page. The announcements will have “PhD Research Scholar positions” in the heading.

Please be aware that the departments may announce vacant positions at other times during the year.

The department/specialisation of finance only admits new PhD Research Scholars every second year. Next intake will be in 2023.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Master of Science (MSc) or comparable degree relevant for your specialisation (e.g. MSc in Economics and Business Administration, Social Sciences, Psychology, Philosophy, Mathematics, Industry, Management, Law). Applicants must normally have completed a 5-year master’s degree programme. You need to have completed you master’s degree before august 2023.
  • Minimum B (4) in Grade Point Average (GPA), five-point scale (A=five, B=four, C=three, D=two, E=one).
  • Minimum B (4) on your master thesis.

An adequate level of academic and English language proficiency. This may require specific documentation by proficiency tests. 

If you use GMAT/GRE or TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic test scores to document your skills, you must upload a scanned copy of your unofficial test results in Jobbnorge (online portal) when you apply for one of our PhD Research Scholar Positions. If you are one of the selected candidates, you must ask the test centres to send your test scores electronically to NHH without delay due to the time lag at the test centers. It is also possible to give NHH access to your results when you apply.

  • Application Requirements

    Application Requirements

    GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

    Please note that you will need to upload electronically the following documentation with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We kindly ask you to upload the documents in separate files, not combined in one single file.

    • Certificate of a Master of Science degree or equivalent including transcripts of grades. You need to have completed you master’s degree before august 2023. If you have not completed your degree when applying for the position, please attach an overview of the courses and grades that you have completed so far.
    • Certificate of a Bachelor degree or equivalent including transcripts of grades.
    • Other relevant certificates or transcripts (e.g. courses completed at the PhD level).
    • If the issuing authority of grades and degrees does not use the ECTS grading scale, please include an official description of the applied grading scale system.
    • Statement of purpose describing your motivation for applying this position (250-300 words).
    • Tentative research project outline (2000-4000 words). A summary of your planned research project must describe the aims, objectives, research questions, and elaborate on your motivation for pursuing the proposed area of research. Please note that your research project is tentative and often needs adjustments after acceptance into the programme
    • Curriculum vitae.
    • List of publications and /or other documented research activities.
    • Contact details of two referees.
    • A letter of recommendation may strengthen your application, but is normally not mandatory. Please read the specific job announcement. The referees should send their letters of recommendation to hr-phd@nhh.no before the application deadline. 
  • About Proficiency Tests (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS)

    About Proficiency Tests (GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS)

    Some of the PhD specialisations may require documentation of an adequate level of academic and English language proficiency. It will be specified in the announcement. Below you will find specific information on access codes for the tests GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS and PTE Academic and the minimum scores that we normally require. 

    NHH handles your records confidentially.

    Am I waived from proficiency tests?

    GMAT/GRE: You are waived from the GMAT/GRE tests if you hold a qualifying master’s degree from a Nordic school.

    TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic : You are waived from TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic if you are a native English speaker, have a qualifying Master’s degree from a Nordic school or you have a qualifying Master’s degree where the language of tuition was English.

    We also accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Online.

    The codes for NHH are as follows: 

    • GMAT 7KZ-01
    • GRE 0686
    • TOEFL 0686
    • IELTS For IELTS we accept copies as long as the TRF number is visible.

    GMAT AND GRE TESTING

    The GMAT and GRE tests measure your academic level in terms of quantitative and verbal reasoning.

    On your request, the test centre will submit your test scores electronically to NHH. Please remember to indicate the NHH’s access code. If you have not yet taken the test at the time of application, please indicate an expected test date.

    GMAT TESTS:

    GMAT test minimum score: 600 points

    GRE tests:

    Quantitative Reasoning minimum score: 152 points (old scale: 660 points)

    Verbal reasoning minimum score: 153 points (old scale: 500 points)

    TOEFL, IELTS and pte academic TESTING

    The TOEFL, IELTS and PTE tests measure your level of proficiency in English language at university level.

    On your request, the test centre will submit your test scores electronically to NHH. Please remember to indicate the NHH’s access code. If you have not yet taken the test at the time of application, please indicate an expected test date. Your TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic test scores are valid for two years.

    TOEFL tests:

    Written test minimum score: 575 points

    Computer-based test minimum score: 233 points

    Internet based test minimum score: 90 points

    IELTS TESTS

    IELTS test minimum score: 6,5 points

    PTE ACADEMIC TESTS

    PTE Academic minimum score: 62

  • After Submission

    After Submission

    The application submission will be confirmed by email shortly after the submission deadline with further information on the process and the approximate timeline.

    During this period, selected candidates will be contacted by the relevant department and invited to an interview in person or digitally.

    We may also ask for your consent to an evaluation of your educational background by NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency of Quality Assurance in Education). The purpose of such an evaluation is to define the equivalent degrees, grades, study points etc. in the Norwegian education system.

    All applicants will receive an email from the Office of Human Resources (HR) once the admission is finalised.

    If you have any questions, send an email to phd@nhh.no.