University of Bergen PhD Scholarships 2027 | Norway | Fully Funded. Apply for fully funded scholarships here. The University of Bergen (UiB) is one of Norway’s leading research universities, and it offers something better than a typical scholarship for PhD candidates: a fully funded, salaried research position. Instead of a single “PhD Scholarship 2027” intake, UiB continuously advertises individual PhD Research Fellow positions across its faculties, each treated as a real job with a salary, pension, and employment rights.
This guide explains how the system actually works, what international students need to qualify, and how to apply through the correct official channels – so you don’t waste time chasing a deadline that doesn’t exist.
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University of Bergen PhD Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution: University of Bergen
- Study Destination: Norway
- Duration: Usually 3 to 4 years, depending on the position and teaching duties
- Deadline: Varies by position
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Financial Benefits
PhD Research Fellows at UiB are paid according to the Norwegian state salary scale (code 1017). Starting gross salaries typically fall between NOK 500,000 and NOK 570,000 per year, with automatic step increases tied to length of service. On top of this, the university contributes to a state pension scheme.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Salary (gross) | Approx. NOK 500,000 – 570,000 |
| Pension Contribution | Automatic, via the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund |
| Tuition Fees | Not charged for PhD study |
| Paid Leave | Standard Norwegian annual leave entitlement |
| Parental Leave | Available under Norwegian employment law |
| Research Funding | Conference travel and equipment budgets vary by project |
Available Study Programs
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Positions regularly open in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and geography, often linked to climate, marine, or catalyst-discovery research groups.
Informatics and Technology: UiB runs active PhD tracks in AI safety, computational mechanics, and information science, frequently tied to Bergen’s growing tech and media cluster.
Medicine and Public Health: Clinical medicine, cancer biomarkers, and global public health are consistently strong recruiting areas for international PhD candidates.
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Social Sciences and Humanities: Political science, sociology, and social anthropology departments run recurring fellowships, some linked to ERC-funded international projects.
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Top Universities
| University | City | QS World Ranking (2026) | PhD Tuition | PhD Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bergen | Bergen | #287 | None | Salaried Research Fellow positions |
| University of Oslo | Oslo | #119 | None | Salaried Research Fellow positions |
| NTNU | Trondheim | #267 | None | Salaried Research Fellow positions |
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is set per vacancy, but most UiB PhD positions share a common baseline that applicants should expect.
- A completed master’s degree (or equivalent, five years of higher education) in a relevant field
- A strong academic record, usually in the top range of your cohort
- Documented proficiency in English (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent, unless waived by prior study in English)
- A research proposal or project fit relevant to the advertised position
- Some departments require prior contact with a potential supervisor before formal application
Because each position is its own job listing, always check the specific advert on Jobbnorge for exact academic and language requirements before applying.
Required Documents
| Document | Required? |
|---|---|
| CV / Academic resume | Yes |
| Cover letter / motivation letter | Yes |
| Master’s degree certificate and transcripts | Yes |
| Research proposal or project outline | Usually, project-dependent |
| English language certificate | If not exempt |
| Reference letters (2–3) | Yes |
| Copy of passport | Yes, for identity verification |
| Publications (if any) | Optional, strengthens application |
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Application Process
Step 1: Identify a matching vacancy. Browse UiB’s official vacancy page or Jobbnorge for open PhD research fellow posts in your field.
Step 2: Read the advert fully. Each listing states its own deadline, eligibility rules, and required documents – these vary by department.
Step 3: Contact the named supervisor. Many departments expect informal contact before you apply, especially for project-specific fellowships.
Step 4: Prepare your documents. Translate any non-English certificates and have transcripts ready in PDF format.
Step 5: Submit through Jobbnorge. Applications are handled entirely online; there is no paper submission route.
Step 6: Wait for shortlisting. Competitive positions can take several weeks to months to shortlist candidates for.
Step 7: Interview. Shortlisted candidates are usually interviewed online or in person.
Step 8: Receive the offer. Successful candidates get a formal employment contract, not just an admission letter.
Step 9: Apply for your residence permit. Because you are an employee, you apply as a skilled worker, not as a student.
Step 10: Relocate and register. Complete police registration, get your national ID number, and start your position.
Student Visa Guide
This is where PhD candidates differ from ordinary international students: since UiB employs its PhD fellows, non-EU/EEA candidates apply for a skilled worker residence permit through the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), not a standard study permit.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit type | Skilled worker residence permit (employer-sponsored) |
| Application fee | Around NOK 6,300 (check UDI for the current rate) |
| Processing time | Several weeks to a few months, depending on caseload |
| Financial proof | Met automatically through your salaried employment contract |
| Biometrics | Collected at a Norwegian embassy, VFS centre, or local police station |
| Family members | Spouses/cohabitants and children can usually apply for family immigration |
EU/EEA and Nordic citizens do not need this permit — they simply register with the local police after arrival.
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Health Insurance
Once you register as a resident in Norway with a valid residence permit lasting more than 12 months, you’re automatically enrolled in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden), giving you access to public healthcare with small per-visit fees up to an annual cap.
Before your registration is complete, or if your stay is shorter, private health insurance or a European Health Insurance Card (for EU/EEA citizens) covers the gap. Insurance is mandatory throughout your stay, one way or another.
Accommodation & Living Costs
Because PhD fellows are employees rather than degree-seeking students, they generally don’t qualify for subsidised student housing through Sammen (the Bergen student welfare organisation) in the same way master’s students do — private rentals are the norm.
- Private rental (studio/1-bedroom): Roughly NOK 8,000 – 12,000 per month in Bergen
- Shared apartment: Roughly NOK 5,000 – 7,500 per month per person
- Utilities and internet: Roughly NOK 1,000 – 1,800 per month
- Groceries: Roughly NOK 4,000 – 5,500 per month
Given the salary range mentioned earlier, most PhD fellows can comfortably cover these costs, though Bergen’s rental market is competitive — start searching well before your start date.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
PhD graduates are already established as skilled workers in Norway, which gives them a head start over regular international students. If your employment contract ends before you secure your next role, you can apply for a one-year job-seeker permit to look for skilled work.
Norway’s tech, energy, marine research, and public health sectors are the biggest hirers of PhD-level talent, and salaries for postdoctoral or industry research roles typically start above NOK 550,000 per year.
After three years on a skilled worker residence permit (which includes your PhD employment period), you can apply for permanent residence (PR), provided you meet the income threshold, pass a Norwegian language test (B1 level), and have no serious criminal record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UiB PhD really “fully funded”? Yes—it’s paid employment with a salary, pension, and benefits, which is arguably better than a stipend-only scholarship.
Is there one fixed 2027 deadline? No. Positions are posted year-round with individual deadlines. Check Jobbnorge regularly for your field.
Do I need to pay tuition fees? No, only a small semester welfare fee (a few hundred NOK).
Can I bring my family? Yes, spouses/cohabitants and children can generally apply for family immigration alongside you.
Do I need to speak Norwegian? Not for the PhD itself — most positions and coursework are in English — but B1-level Norwegian is required later for permanent residence.
How long does the PhD take? Usually 3 years for pure research contracts, or 4 years if the position includes 25% teaching duties.
Can I work part-time on top of my PhD? Your PhD contract is already your job, so additional work is limited and subject to your employer’s rules.
What happens after I finish? You can move to another skilled-worker role, apply for a job-seeker permit, or work toward permanent residence.
Conclusion
A UiB PhD position offers genuine, salaried funding, no tuition fees, and a realistic pathway toward long-term residence in Norway — but it’s structured as a job, not a traditional scholarship with one shared deadline. The best strategy is to monitor Jobbnorge and UiB’s own vacancy page regularly, tailor your application to the specific project, and apply through official channels only. Always verify current deadlines, salary steps, and visa rules directly with UiB and UDI before applying, since these figures are updated annually.
Official Resources
| Website Type | Official Website | Latest Application Info | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Vacancies (UiB) | UiB Career Page | Rolling, per-position deadlines | Applications Open (Rolling) |
| Application Portal | Jobbnorge | Varies by position | Official |
| University Admissions | UiB Admissions | Varies by Program | Official |
| Student/Work Visa | UDI (Norwegian Immigration) | N/A | Official |
| Immigration & PR Rules | UDI Permanent Residence | N/A | Official |