INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Universiteter (Universities)

Vitenskapelige høyskoler (University Colleges)

Statlige høyskoler (State Colleges)

Kunsthøyskoler (Art Colleges)

Privathøyskoler (Private institutions of higher education)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Vitnemål Fra Videregående Skole

Bachelor

Candidatus Magisterii

Ingeniør

Diploma

Sivilarkitekt

Sivilingeniør

Siviløkonom

Candidatus

Magister Artium

Master

Licentiatus

Doctor

Doctor Philosophiae

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 16

Structure of school system:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Grunnskole, Barnetrinnet; Primary School

Length of program in years: 7

Age level from: 6 to: 13

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Grunnskole,Ungdomstrinnet; Secondary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 13 to: 16

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Videregående Skole;  Upper Secondary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Vitnemål Fra Videregående Skole

Vocational

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Craft/Journeyman Certificate

Apprenticeship

Type of school providing this education: Apprenticeship

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Trade Certificate; Journeyman's Certificate

School education:

Primary education in Norway lasts for seven years. Lower secondary education and upper secondary education last for three years each. It consists of either general or vocational studies. General studies comprise the Foundation Course (first year), Advanced Course I (second year) and Advanced Course II (third year) leading to the Certificate of Upper Secondary Education. Vocational studies comprise the Foundation Course (first year), Advanced Course I (second year) and either Advanced Course II (third year) or Practical training/Apprenticeship (1-2 years) or a Trade skill test leading to a Certificate. The final examination (trade or journeyman's examination) is the same, regardless of whether training took pace at school or in the workplace. Pupils in vocational courses are to be given the opportunity to obtain the additional qualifications required for higher studies.

Higher education:

All institutions of higher education are subject to the authority of the Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs. Higher education in Norway is mainly offered at state institutions, notably universities (four), university colleges (six), state colleges (26) and art colleges (2). They are all covered by the same Act which came into force on January 1, 1996. The degrees and titles that each institution can award and their professional and educational programmes, as well as the duration and specific requirements concerning breadth and depth are all laid down in a Royal Decree of 10 May 1996. A degree candidate may combine studies from universities and colleges, as the courses offered are at the same academic level.Network Norway was set up to promote cooperation and a more rational division of labour between the Norwegian universities and colleges. It benefits the various academic environments by enabling them to cooperate with regard to field of specialization and division of labour. Education with a similar content and degree structure should be viewed as equitable and give students a larger range of options and make it easier to combine studies from different institutions. Transfers between the institutions are encouraged and facilitated by the degree system.Although there are as many as 26 private higher education institutions with recognized study programmes, the overwhelming majority of students (90%) attend state institutions.Private higher education in Norway is regulated by the Act of 11 June 1986 on the recognition of study programmes at private colleges. Some of the study programmes are recognized by Royal Decree as degrees or professional titles of equal standing as those offered by the public institutions. Other study programmes may be recognized by the public institutions as well.In June 2001, the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) passed an extensive reform of higher education. It was drawn up against two comprehensive reports to the Storting. The main points include a new degree structure: Bachelor, of 3 years' duration; Master of 2 years' duration, and PhD of 3 years' duration; ECTS credits will be introduced with 60 credits being equivalent to 1 year's full-time study; the possibility for some types of colleges to become universities; the redefinition of governing bodies and management of the institutions; an increase in student loans/grants; priority will be given to the improvement of teaching and assessment; and the introduction of mutual and formalized agreements between students and institutions.  Priority will be given to participation in international programmes and exchange agreements. Higher education institutions will strive to offer students a period of study abroad as a component of their degree programme. Institutions will be encouraged to cooperate with public institutions in developing countries. More programmes in English will be introduced. Institutions will be given greater autonomy in academic and financial matters. They will bear the main responsibility for quality assurance of their own provisions and will follow up quality development strategies and make use of available resources. A national independent agency will be established to deal with the accreditation and recognition of higher education. The relationship between students and institutions will be strengthened through a variety of measures, e.g. teaching methods with emphasis on counselling, interactive study, better feedback and new forms of assessment. The reform is to be completed by the end of the year 2003. It will be gradually implemented as from the autumn 2002. The necessary legal provisions will be made in the spring of 2002.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Lov om eksamen eksamensrett for og statsilskudd til private høyskoler Year: 1986

Concerns: Private higher education institutions

Decree: Lov om helsepersonell m.v. Year: 1999

Concerns: Health care personnel training

Decree: Opplaeringslova Year: 1999

Concerns: Teacher education

Decree: Universities and Colleges Act Year: 1995

Concerns: All public institutions of higher education

Academic year:

Classes from: Aug to: Jun

Long vacation from: 15 Jun to: 15 Aug

Languages of instruction: Norwegian, English

Stages of studies:

University level studies:

University level first stage: Cand.mag, Bachelor:

The first degree, Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii (Cand.mag.) is normally obtained after three-and-a-half years in Mathematics and Natural Sciences and four years in Arts and Social Sciences. The specialized Høgskolekandidat degrees of three and four years' duration may be built upon to obtain a Cand.mag degree. Some institutions offer a four-year Høgskolekandidat degree. The Cand.mag degree is awarded by all universities, state and art colleges and a good number of other higher education institutions, both private and public, and can, in that sense, be termed a "national" degree.Professional qualifications are awarded by all universities, university colleges, state-and art colleges and a good number of private higher education institutions. These programmes are either of two to four years' or five to seven years' duration and lead to regulated professions. Courses are normally measured in "vekttall". The full-time work load for one academic year is 20 vekttall, which is equal to 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer Scheme). The reform of 2001 has created a new first terminal degree, the Bachelor's Degree, corresponding to at least three years of undergraduate studies.

University level second stage: Candidatus/Candidata, Master:

The second level (graduate/higher) degree usually consists of one-and-a-half to two years' additional study and requires a main subject based upon the intermediate level examination in the same subject as the Cand.mag degree. The degree is called Candidatus/Candidata (Cand.) followed by the name of the field of study, i.e. Candidatus Medicinae (Cand.med.) in Medicine, Candidatus Musicae (Cand.musicae) in Music, Candidatus Oeconomicae (Cand.oecon.) in Economics, Candidatus Juris (Cand.jur.) in Law, Candidatus Philologiae (Cand.philog.) in Letters and Humanities, Candidatus Scientiarum (Cand.scient.) in Natural Sciences, Candidatus Politicarum (Cand.polit.) in Social Sciences etc... An important part of this degree is independent research work in the form of a thesis. Graduate degrees are offered by universities and university colleges, several state colleges and some private colleges. For internationalization purposes, some Master degree programmes have been introduced at a number of universities and colleges. In these programmes, the language of instruction and examination is English. The Master's Degree is also the new degree created by the 2001 reform and requiring two years of study beyond the Bachelor's Degree.

University level third stage: Doctoral:

Doctor's degree programmes generally consist of three years of study following completion of the second level degree or other professional degree programmes (the exception is Dr.oecon which takes two years) and are essentially research programmes. The title of Doctor (Dr.) is followed by the name of the field of study in which it is awarded, e.g.  Dr. scient. (Natural Sciences), Dr. art.(Humanities), Dr. polit. (Social Sciences), Dr. ing. (Engineering), Dr. juris (Law), Dr. med. (Medicine), Dr. odont. (Dentistry), Dr. oecon. (Economy), Dr. psychol. (Psychology) and Dr. theol. (Theology). The title Doctor Philosophiae is more general and can be obtained in all fields without a specific course of study. Doctor's Degree programmes are offered by the universities, most university colleges, some State colleges and a few private institutions. The 2001 reform has created the PhD which consists in three years of study beyond the Master's Degree.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

The minimum qualification to teach in pre-primary schools (førskole) is a Førskolelaerer qualification which requires three years of training at colleges of education.The minimum qualification to teach in primary schools (grunnskole, barnetrinnet) is an Allmennlaerer (general subject teacher) or Faglaerer (single subject teacher) qualification which requires 3 years of training offered at colleges of education.

Training of secondary school teachers

Allmennlaerer, Faglaerer or a lower university degree, based on 4 years' study, qualifies to teach in lower secondary schools. Allmennlaerer with one year of additional subjects (one subject must have been studied for at least one year), a  higher university degree requiring five to six years of study qualifies to teach in upper secondary schools.

Training of higher education teachers

There are no official requirements but in practice all higher education teachers have a higher university degree.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

There are 15 distance education institutions offering more than 700 courses. All courses must be approved by the Ministry of Education and Research. The majority of courses are vocational or lead to formal qualifications. Several schools are now cooperating with higher education institutions in setting up courses in e.g. Media Studies, Economics and Administration.

Other forms of non-formal higher education

The Norwegian Association for Adult Education (VOFO) is an umbrella organization for the study associations. VOFO also assists the Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs in matters relating to information on adult education. 28,000 adults follow courses at university level.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs

Head: Trond Giske, Minister

PO Box 8119 Dep.
Akersgata 42
N-0032 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +47(22) 24-90-90

Fax: +47(22) 24-95-40

WWW: http://www.odin.depro/kuf/eng

Role of governing body: Responsible for all institutions of higher education with the exception of colleges of agriculture and colleges of higher education.

Norwegian Council for Higher Education (Universitets-Og Høgskolerådet)

Head: Kirsti Kach Christensen, President

Administrative officer: Widar Hvamb, Secretary-General

Pilestredet 46 b
N-0167 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +47(22) 45-39-50

Fax: +47(22) 45-39-51

EMail: uhr@uhr.no

WWW: http://www.uhr.no

Role of governing body: Develop strategies for the Norwegian system of higher education; promote coordination and division of labour within the higher education sector; serve as a common instrument for the member institutions in their international cooperation

Network Norway Council

PO Box 8150 Dep.
Kronprinsensgate 9
N-0033 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +47(21) 02-18-00

Fax: +47(21) 02-18-02

EMail: postmottak@nnr.no

WWW: http://www.nnr.no

Role of governing body: Advisory body to the Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs in matters relating to the long-term development of Norwegian higher education

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Vitnemål Fra Videregående Skole

Minimum score/requirement: Completed and Passed ("Fullført og bestått")

Alternatives to credentials: If the areas of study are not 'general subjects' or 'commercial and clerical', university admission requires completing courses and passing exams in supplementary areas. 2) Completion of courses at some higher education institutions can fulfil university entrance requirements. 3) Completion of courses at some higher educaton institutions together with supplementary exams.

Numerus clausus/restrictions: Medicine b310, Dentistry b105, Pharmacy b55, Psychology b90

Other admission requirements: A general matriculation standard has been introduced which include the following components: successful completion of three years of upper secondary education comprising a foundation course, advanced courseI and advanced course II (regardless of area of study), or a recognized vocational qualification/trade certificate. Included in or in addition to these criteria, it is necessary to have successfully completed upper secondary studies corresponding to a specific level of attainment within the following general subject areas: Norwegian, English, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences. Admission may also be gained with other qualifications recognized as being on par with the general matriculation standard. Some fields of study have additional entrance requirements.

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: Foreign citizens who do not have a permanent residence permit in Norway.

Admission requirements: Foreign students should have qualifications at least equivalent to completed general education at the upper secondary level. Minimum mark: 3.0 / Norsk for utlendinger, trinn 3Minimum mark: 450 / Bergenstesten, høyere nivå

Entry regulations: Students should inquire about visa regulations at Norwegian embassies or consulates. They should apply for a residence permit before arrival in Norway. Residence permit will often require a financial guarantee (NOK 70 000)

Language requirements: Students should have good knowledge of Norwegian and English. They must take the TOEFL or IELTS. They must score a minimum of 500 points in TOEFL and 5.0 points in IELTS.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Delegated by the Ministry of Education and Research to institutions of higher education.NAIC.

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

NAIC, National Academic Information Centre

Head: Anne Marie Heszlein, Head of Section

PB 8150 Dep
Norgesnettrådet-NAIC
0033 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +47(21) 02-18-60

Fax: +47(21) 02-18-02

EMail: naic@nnr.no; amh@nnr.no

WWW: http://www.nnr.no/naic

Services provided & students dealt with: Acts as an information centre on international education and recognition matters for Norwegian universities and colleges; provides advice and recommendations concerning the admission of foreign students to Norwegian institutions of higher education; answers queries, and provides relevant information regarding the Norwegian educational system and opportunities for study in Norway at post-secondary level; facilitates and coordinates the evaluation of individual applications for recognition of foreign credentials from permanent residents for job-seeking purposes; acts as Norway's NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) and ENIC (European Network of National Information Centres) within the framework of the European Community, the Council of Europe and UNESCO - CEPES; promotes and facilitates the implementation of the joint Council of Europe/UNESCO-CEPES Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European Region and promotes the dissemination and use of the Diploma Supplement.

Other information sources on recognition of foreign studies: For professional degrees leading to regulated professions: various competent bodies.

Special provisions for recognition:

For the exercise of a profession: Access to a profession is subject to the Ministry responsible for the practice of that profession

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: UNESCO/Council of Europe's Convention On the Recognition of Qualifications concerning  Higher Education in the European Region

Year of signature: 1999

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Evaluation of Foreign Educational Qualifications

Publisher: Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs, Oslo

Title: Foreign Students in Norway

Publisher: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oslo

Title: Guide for students and institutions of higher education: Higher education in Norway

Publisher: National Academic Information Centre (NAIC)

Title: Website: http://www.nnr.no

Publisher: Network Norway Council Secretariat

STUDENT LIFE

National student associations and unions

Norsk Studentunion (NSU)

Thorvald Meyersgate 7
N-0555 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +47(22) 044 950

Fax: +47(22) 044 969

EMail: nsu@studenthuset.no

WWW: http://www.nsu.no

Health/social provisions

Social security for home students: Yes

Cost/fee (per year): 0 (Norwegian Krone)

Social security for foreign students: Yes

Cost/fee (per year): 0 (Norwegian Krone)

Foreign student social security provisions: Does not cover costs for medication (except for chronic conditions), dental work or hospital stays. Requires a co-payment for consultations.

Special student travel fares:

By road: No

By rail: Yes

By air: Yes

Available to foreign students: Yes

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Average living costs: 69500 (Norwegian Krone)

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Norwegian Krone)

Maximum: 2000 (Norwegian Krone)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Norwegian Krone)

Maximum: 0 (Norwegian Krone)

Publications on student services and financial aid:

Title: Study Abroad 2000-2001

Publisher: UNESCO/IBE

Year of publication: 1999

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: LEONARDO

Name of exchange programme: NORDKALOTTEN

Name of exchange programme: NORDPLUS

Name of exchange programme: Quota Programme

Name of exchange programme: SOCRATES

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: Marking on a scale from 0 to 6.

Highest on scale: 6

Pass/fail level: 2

Lowest on scale: 0

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: There is no one uniform grading system for all of higher education. The most widely used system is a numerical system of 1 to 6 (described below) "Bestått" (pass)/"Ikke bestått" (fail) is occasionally used. Some institutions have a grading system with letters A-F based on the ECTS system. A Common system based on the ECTS system is to be introduced.

Highest on scale: |

Pass/fail level: 4

Lowest on scale: 6 (5/6 are usually not recorded)

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2001-2002

Source: National Academic Information Centre (NAIC), Oslo, 2002