Programme structure (2026–2029)

The doctoral program at HiMolde is a three-year full-time program leading to a doctoral degree (PhD) in Logistics. If you have 25% working duties, the planned duration of the program is extended to four years.
The conferral of the doctoral degree in Logistics signifies that the candidate has attained expert competence in a major field of study. You will normally have one supervisor at HiMolde, plus one or more co-supervisors from other institutions. Suggesting co-supervisors is the duty of your main supervisor, and the Doctoral Degree Committee must approve them.

When you are approximately half-way through your doctoral program period, you will have to pass a midway evaluation process, where two evaluators (one internal and one external) will give you feedback and advice on your progression. The evaluators may also make recommendations to your tutors and the university if any adjustments should be made.

Towards the end of your PhD-studies, your adjudication committee will be appointed. The committee has three members, including one member from HiMolde and at least one international member. The committee has two major duties: To evaluate if your thesis is accepted for its final defense, and to evaluate your trial lecture and public defense.

The general structure is as follows: The total workload of the program is 180 ECTS. 30 ECTS is allocated to the course plan, and the rest to the thesis work. Holders of Norwegian scholarships will in addition normally have one year workload of required duties for HiMolde. Doctoral students may spend one or two semesters abroad, for both courses and thesis work.

In co-operation with the supervisor, candidates should propose a list of suggested courses to the Doctoral Degree Committee. The composition of the list should take into account both the suggested topic for the thesis and the background of the candidate. For example, if the candidate does not have a solid background in logistics, the course plan should contain a necessary amount of courses in logistics. In addition, The Doctoral Degree Committee may require that the candidate takes courses without credit if this is necessary to bring the candidate up to an acceptable level for starting the doctoral study.

The course plan may comprise PhD courses offered by Molde University College, or PhD courses offered by other academic institutions. At least 5 ECTS must be doctoral courses explicitly related to logistics, supply chain management or transport economics. At least 5 ECTS of doctoral courses must be within relevant research methodology. Only one module is oblilgatory: DRL005 Philosophy of Science (5 ECTS). The courses offered by HiMolde could be found here