The Educational Component

Structure of the educational component at IMV

*In effect from 1.1.2023. Candidates admitted to the programme before 31.12.2022 may follow the previous programme structure.

The educational component must be completed before the candidate's dissertation is submitted, and candidates are encouraged to complete the majority of the educational component in the first two years. All educational activity for inclusion in the study plan must be approved by the Head of Research Training. Unless otherwise stated, one credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work. Before attending courses, conferences or similar as part of your educational component, you should confer with your adviser and apply for pre-approval. See ‘approval of educational activity’ at the end of the page.

Category descriptions

Research Ethics

All candidates at the Faculty of Humanities must be ensured training in research ethics. This includes central ethical principles for research, as well as knowledge of relevant legislation and institutions. Parts of the training must be an in-depth study of ethical issues and dilemmas.

Theories of knowledge

Through joint courses and advanced courses in scientific theory, candidates will learn about central questions in theories of knowledge and be challenged to formulate their own epistemological positions.

Dissemination

All candidates must have training in dissemination that will provide realistic preparation for research communication and include reflection on academic freedom of expression.

Conference

All candidates must participate in international conference(s). An international conference is defined as a conference at which participants represent institutions from several countries.

Text development

All candidates will receive training in text presentation and criticism by presenting their own and commenting on others’ texts. The text development seminars are designed to be an integral part of the educational component. These text development sessions are a crucial aspect of the PhD programme, aimed at enhancing the writing skills of all candidates and ultimately producing high-quality dissertations. The department strongly encourages active participation in these seminars throughout the course of the PhD programme.

Requirement for completing the text development component (4 credits)

• Attendance at all text development seminars during the first two years of the fellowship period. Absences must be arranged in advance with the Head of Research Training.
• During the first two years of the fellowship period, candidates must provide:
  • 2 presentations of the thesis work, each composed of:
    • A 30-minute oral presentation for discussion and feedback from peers and
    • Delivery of a written text for feedback from a peer
  • 2 engagements with the work of peers as a commenter, each composed of:
    • Oral comments and discussion for 30 minutes on work presented by a peer and
    • Written feedback on written work submitted by a peer
• In special cases, participation in IMV's text development seminars may grant 6 credits for extra activity. This could, for example, be an extra presentation or additional commenting on others' texts. This will be cleared with the Head of Research Training.

PhD candidates who, for various reasons, are unable to attend one or more text development seminar(s) during their first two years of the program must make up for it in their third year. Alternative participation in text development seminars offered by educational institutions outside of UiO may be considered as a replacement, however, this must be approved by the Head of Research Training.

Methods

Method is a planned procedure for knowledge formation. All candidates must have training that expands their methodological experiences and skills and provides a critical approach to what knowledge different methods can provide.

Other courses or activities

The individual department may determine additional compulsory courses or activities. Additionally, candidates may design the remaining portion of the Educational Component themselves, subject to approval from the department's Head of Research Training.

Approval of educational activity

Planned participation in external courses and seminars must be sent in for approval by the Head of Research Training. Please do so through the following form.

Apply for approval

Courses and other activities will be registered as soon as these have been completed and the documentation has been sent to the Research Adviser. You can follow your own progression through My studies.

Obligatory non-credit bearing activities

Welcome Seminar

All PhD candidates at HF must attend a compulsory welcome seminar which will provide an introduction to the PhD programme, the faculty and the university. A major part of the seminar will deal with supervision, the candidates' supervisors are expected to attend this part of the program.

Midway assessment

All candidates on the PhD programme at the Faculty of Humanities are subject to a midway assessment. The midway assessment is a compulsory part of the PhD programme. The purpose of the midway assessment is to assess the progress of the project in relation to planned completion. Read more here.

Contact

• Head of Research Training Kyle Devine
• Research Adviser Malene Bøyum

Courses and seminars at IMV

See all courses and seminars at IMV

Courses and seminars at HF

See all courses and seminars at HF

Starter Kit: Teaching as a PhD Candidate

This course is aimed at PhD candidates and who have little or no teaching experience. The course is available for all PhD candidates admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Humanities.