Guide to hiGher education in norway. Look up and discover.

Guide to
hiGher
education
in norway.
Look up and
discover.
www.studyinnorway.no

---

some facts about norway
oFFICIAL nAMe: The Kingdom of Norway
LoCAtIon: Northern Europe with borders to
Finland, Sweden, Russia, the North Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean
AreA: The Kingdom of Norway: 385,155 km2
MAInLAnd: 323,758 km2
svALbArd And JAn MAyen: 61,397 km2
Length oF CoAstLIne: 25,148 km, including fjords
LArgest LAke: Mjøsa, 362 km2
hIghest MountAIn: Galdhøpiggen, 2,469 m
PoPuLAtIon: 4 799 252 (01.01.2009)
CAPItAL CIty: Oslo
systeM oF governMent: Constitutional monarchy
LAnguAge: Norwegian Bokmål and Nynorsk and in
Contents
some districts also Sámi
MonetAry unIt: Norwegian kroner, NOK
The Educational System in Norway p. 6.
Research p. 9.
terrAIn: 31 National Parks and 11 glaciers
Academic requirements p. 10.
nAturAL resourCes: Petroleum, copper, natural
Living in Norway p. 14.
gas, fish, timber, hydropower
π π
Residence permit for students p. 18.
Universities and University Colleges p. 22.
Exchange and scholarship opportunities p.25.
π π
Source: Statistics Norway

---

GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY
ABouT ThIS BRoChuRE
In this brochure you will find a short description of Norway´s educational
system, information about our target areas within research and some practical
information about how to apply for a student residence permit. In addition you
will also find a general description of life in Norway, including some useful
facts about the Norwegian society.
Internationalisation of higher education has been an important factor for the
development of programmes and degrees taught in English. Currently more
than 200 Masters programmes taught in English are available to students,

covering a wide range of subject areas. Most of the institutions are also offering
courses in English at Bachelor’s and Ph.D. level.
Norway is one of the leading countries conforming to the guidelines from the
Bologna Process in European higher education. The degree system based on
the Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. structure has been successfully implemen ted
together with the ECTS credit system. The European standard in higher educa-
tion makes it easier for students to obtain recognition of their qualifications if
they wish to study in different countries.
There are about 70 universities and university colleges in Norway. They are
located throughout the country in cities, towns and in the countryside. Student
mobility and international cooperation are key objectives for the Norwegian
Ministry of Education and Research. Presently, 14,000 foreign students are
studying in Norway and we look forward to welcoming many more!
For more detailed information about living and studying in Norway, please
visit our website: www.studyinnorway.no. This portal is the official gateway to
higher education in Norway.
Welcome to NorWay!

---

GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY
aSPIre.
Come to Norway for an academic environment that lets you pursue
your highest ambitions, and for a society, culture and nature from
which you can draw inspiration and a wealth of unique experiences.

---

GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY
aSPIre. INSPIre.

---

GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY
ThE EDuCATIoNAl SySTEM
IN NoRWAy
“Education for all” is the basic principle of the Norwegian educational system.
According to the law, every child is ensured a minimum of 13 years education,
regardless of social or cultural background and possible special needs. The
Ministry of Education and Research is determined to make the Norwegian
educational system one of the best in the world, based on the framework of
lifelong learning.
PrImary aND SecoNDary eDUcatIoN
Compulsory schooling in Norway is ten years and children start school at the
age of six. Everyone between the ages of 16 and 19 has had a statutory right to
three years’ upper secondary education leading either to higher education or to
vocational qualifications.
Norway has a uniform upper secondary school, combining general theoreti-
cal education and vocational training and giving equal status to practical and
theoretical education. General theoretical education and vocational training are
offered side by side, often in the same school building.
HIgHer eDUcatIoN
Norway has seven accredited universities, eight accredited specialised universi-
ties, 24 accredited university colleges, two accredited national institutes of the
arts and 29 private institutions of higher education with either institutional or
programme accreditation.

The system of higher education comprises all the institutions and/or pro-
grammes that are accredited. With the exception of the private university col-
leges, all higher education institutions are public and owned by the state.

---

06-07
The state university college system was established to decentralise and increase
the availability of higher education throughout Norway. The university colleges
offer Bachelor and Masters programmes and a number of vocationally-oriented
programmes. The duration of the study programmes are normally two to four
years. Some of the undergraduate courses are interchangeable between the
universities and university colleges. Many students combine courses from both
types of institutions to complete their degrees.
As a rule, tuition is not required to study at Norwegian higher education
institutions, although fees may be imposed for certain professional education
programmes, and specialised education programmes, mainly those offered by
the private institutions.

In addition to their teaching activities, all higher education institutions, and
particularly the universities, are responsible for conducting basic research as
well as researcher training. This is primarily done through graduate-level
studies and doctoral degree programmes. The academic year runs from
mid-August to June.
Degree SyStem
Norway has adapted to the objectives of the Bologna process in the European
higher education. A central issue has been the implementation of a 3 + 2 + 3
degree system with a Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. structures following
European standards.

With the introduction of the new degree system it has become easier for stu-
dents who complete all, or part of their education in Norway, to obtain recogni-
tion for their qualifications in other countries.

---

GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY
The “høgskolekandidat” degree is obtained after two years of study. This
degree may be built upon to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. The degree is offered
at state university colleges and a few private institutions.

The Bachelor’s degree is awarded by all the state universities, specialised uni-
versity institutions, university colleges and a good number of the other higher
education institutions, both private and public. It is obtained after three years
of study. The national academies of the arts offer a Bachelor’s degree of four
years’ duration.

The Master´s degree is awarded by the state universities and specialised univer-
sity institutions, several university colleges and some private institutions. The
degree is obtained after 1–2 years of study. An important part of this degree is
independent research work of 30–60 ECTS credits.

For internationalisation purposes, a number of Master´s degree courses in
English have been introduced at the universities and university colleges, and at
some private institutions.

Various professional qualifications are awarded by all the state higher educa-
tion institutions and a number of the private higher education institutions.
These programmes/degrees are of four to six years’ duration and cover both
regulated and non-regulated professions.

The Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) is awarded after three years of study following
completion of a Master´s degree or a professional degree/programme. Doctoral
programmes, which are essentially research programmes, are offered by all
university-level institutions, some state university colleges and a few private
institutions.
creDIt SyStem aND graDINg
The academic year normally runs from mid-August to mid-June and lasts for
10 months. Courses are measured in credits according to the ECTS standard
(European Credit Transfer System). The full-time workload for one academic
year is 60 ECTS credits.

Grades for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate examinations are
awarded according to a graded scale from A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as
the minimum pass grade. A pass/fail mark is given for some examinations.
π π

---

08-09
RESEARCh
Through internationalisation, basic research and innovation, Norway seeks to
become a leading nation within research. The list below shows some of the
appointed target areas for Norwegian research:
> Energy and the environment
> Food
> oceans
> health
Priority technology areas
> Information and communications technology (ICT)
> Biotechnology
> New materials and nanotechnology
The Research Council of Norway (RCN) plays a vital role in developing and im-
plementing the national strategy. RCN acts as a government adviser identifying
present and future needs for knowledge and research, and provides funding
for independent research, as well as for research programmes and Norwegian
participation in international research.
In order to ensure quality in research, 21 Centres of Excellence and 14 Centres
for Research-based Innovation (CRIs) have been established with the intention
to bring more researchers and research groups to a high international standard.
The purpose of the Centres for Research-based Innovation (CRIs) is to build
up and strengthen Norwegian research groups that work in close collaboration
with partners from innovative industry and innovative public enterprises.
Students and researchers who are looking to do research projects in Norway
may find it useful to take a look at the International Scholarship Section at the
website www.rcn.no
The website is hosted by the Research Council of Norway and provides more
information and facts and figures about research activities in Norway.
π π

---

GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY
ACADEMIC REquIREMENTS
The Norwegian Agency for quality Assurance in Education (NoKuT) is an
independent state body whose purpose is to safeguard and develop the quality
of Norwegian higher educational institutions. This is done through evalua-
tion, accreditation and recognition of quality systems, institutions and study
programmes. NoKuT also handles individual applications for recognition of
foreign higher education.
A list has been compiled to provide information on what the minimum
academic qualifications/entry requirements are for applicants with foreign
education. This compilation of country-specific information is called the GSu-
list and states what level of education applicants from different countries need
to meet for entry into Norwegian higher education, including requirements
concerning proficiency in English.
An updated version of the GSu list can be found at www.nokut.no/sw14437.asp
reqUIremeNtS for BacHelor ProgrammeS
Completion of secondary education at advanced level, equivalent to passing the
exam at the end of Norwegian upper secondary school, is the basic requirement
for entry to Norwegian universities and university colleges. Please check the
link www.nokut.no/sw14437.asp, for more relevant information regarding your
country. Some university and university college programmes have special
entry requirements, usually relating to specialist subjects or fields of study
from secondary school. The particular institution will provide information
about these special qualifications, which will be assessed when a concrete
application is made to a programme of study.
reqUIremeNtS for maSter ProgrammeS
Admission requirements are decided by each university and university college
based on an academic evaluation of the applicants.

---