Growing number of doctorates awarded in Norway

In 2008, 1,244 candidates defended their doctoral theses in Norway. This represents an increase of 21 per cent compared to 2007, the previous record year, and means that the number of doctorates awarded in Norway far exceeds the national target of 1,100 doctorates per year.

Arvid Hallén, Director General of the Research Council, is pleased with the figures. “Norwegian researcher training has gained great momentum. The changes we have seen over the past few years, including a smoother transition into doctoral studies for outstanding students and more tailored educational programmes, seem to be having a positive effect,” says Hallén.

More women and candidates from abroad

Medicine and other health-related disciplines were the fields that accounted for the greatest growth in 2008, with an increase of 90 doctoral candidates compared with the previous year. The majority of the candidates in these fields were women. In the humanities, social science and agriculture studies/veterinary science the number of male and female candidates was equal. Mathematics/natural science and technology are fields still dominated by men, but these areas also saw a rise in the number of women candidates.

By Andreas B. Johansen/Else Lie. Translation: Anna Godman/Carol B. Eckmann – The Research Council of Norway