Get Phd in Norway Scholarship Starting 2027 at Norwegian Business School

If your research interests sit at the intersection of privacy, data governance, smart technologies and communication, BI Norwegian Business School is offering a four-year PhD position in Oslo with funding of NOK 623,200 per year.

The doctoral scholarship is linked to the DECODE project, an interdisciplinary research programme focused on making data governance in smart environments more understandable and human-centred. The position is expected to start on 1 January 2027, or earlier by agreement.

What Kind of PhD Is This?

This is not a general Communication PhD where you can submit any topic. Your project must fit the broader DECODE agenda, which explores how people understand data processing, privacy protection and transparency in smart environments such as connected homes and devices.

Possible research directions include:

• Privacy in smart homes
• User perceptions of privacy-enhancing technologies
• Transparency and explainability
• Personalised privacy protection
• Regulatory communication
• Interface and design choices that help people exercise privacy rights

You are still expected to develop an independent PhD project, but it must clearly contribute to the wider DECODE research goals.

Who Can Apply?

You need a strong research-oriented Master’s degree. BI accepts applicants with a Master of Science with thesis work, research Master’s/MPhil, or a comparable degree relevant to Communication.

Suitable backgrounds can include:

• Communication
• Media studies
• Human-computer interaction
• Information systems
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Law and technology
• Science and technology studies
• Management
• Political science
• Related interdisciplinary social-science fields

An MBA does not meet the admission requirement.

BI also requires a two-year Master’s programme and generally expects an academic average of B or above.

What Makes an Applicant More Competitive?

A degree title alone will not be enough.

The project particularly values applicants who understand areas such as privacy, data protection, digital governance, technology regulation, smart environments, HCI or digital media use.

Research-method skills are also important. Experience with surveys, interviews, experiments, participatory methods or mixed-method research can strengthen an application considerably.

The strongest candidate will probably be someone who can bridge more than one field—for example, communication plus privacy law, HCI plus public policy, or media studies plus digital governance.

How Much Does the PhD Pay?

The four-year scholarship currently provides NOK 623,200 per year, with future adjustment according to applicable regulations. The Norwegian Phd scholarship position also includes automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

This is a four-year appointment because the candidate will also have 25% teaching responsibilities alongside doctoral research. Research funding additionally supports activities such as research stays in Switzerland and participation in international conferences through the DECODE project.

Is IELTS Required to Apply for Phd in Norway in 2027?

Usually yes, unless you qualify for an exemption, whereas, BI accepts:

• IELTS: minimum 6.5
• TOEFL iBT: minimum 90
• TOEFL paper-based: 575
• TOEFL computer-based: 233

Exemptions may apply if English is your native language, if you completed at least two years of higher education in English, or under certain other recognised educational circumstances. Test results must normally be no more than two years old.

What Documents Do You Need?

The application is more demanding than a normal job application and you need:

• Master’s degree certificate and transcripts
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
• Diploma Supplement or equivalent grading explanation
• 2–3 page original PhD project proposal
• CV
• At least two recommendation letters
• Publication and research-activity list
• Signed verification document

The project proposal should explain the topic, proposed method, timeline and relevant literature.

One unusual rule is worth noting: if you use generative AI to produce any text in the proposal, you must clearly disclose and cite that use.

Can International Applicants Apply?

Yes. The call does not limit applications by nationality, and BI describes the department and research environment as highly international. However, foreign applicants still need to satisfy BI’s academic equivalency, degree-length, grade and English requirements.

BI Norway PhD Scholarship Deadline

The last date to apply for this BI Norwegian Business School PhD scholarship position is 6 September 2026.

All documents must be uploaded through the electronic system. Late documents are generally not accepted, and once the application is submitted, applicants cannot revise it.

Questions Applicants Are Likely to Ask

Can I apply with a Master’s in Computer Science?
Possibly, if your research background clearly connects with HCI, privacy, data governance or related interdisciplinary areas. The call includes Computer Science among the associated research fields.

Can I apply with an MBA at BI Nowary in 2027?
No. BI explicitly states that an MBA does not satisfy the admission requirement.

Do I need publications?
Publications are not stated as an absolute admission requirement, but applicants must provide a list of publications and relevant research activities, and strong academic-writing potential is clearly valued.

Is this a fully funded PhD?
It is a salaried four-year doctoral scholarship with annual funding of NOK 623,200 and pension membership, rather than a tuition-only award.

Can I use AI to help write the proposal?
The call says any generative-AI use that produces text must be explicitly disclosed and cited.

Not Sure Whether Your Master’s Background Fits?

If you are unsure about your Master’s degree, GPA, IELTS exemption, research proposal or whether your topic fits privacy and smart-environment research, leave your question in the comments below the article. Mention your degree, research area and proposed PhD idea, and we can help you judge whether this BI Norway opportunity is realistically worth pursuing.