Higher education in Norway

Last updated

Higher education in Norway is offered by a range of ten universities, nine specialised universities (focused on a specific program area), 24 university colleges as well as a range of private university colleges. The national higher education system is in accordance with the Bologna process, with bachelor's degrees (first cycle, three years), master's degrees (second cycle, two years) and doctoral degrees (third cycle, three years). Acceptance is offered after finishing upper secondary school and meeting general university admissions certification.

Contents

Public education is free for citizens from any country that is part of EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, but everyone else needs to pay a tuition fee to the university. [1] [2] [3] The tuition fee can range from 80,000 NOK to 400,000 NOK per academic year. [1]

The higher education in Norway is divided into an academic year with two semesters, from August to December and from January to June. The ultimate responsibility for the education lies with the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.

The main building of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. NTNU Trondheim Mainbuilding.jpg
The main building of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim.
The University of Oslo, established in 1811, is the oldest university in Norway Oslo universitaet.JPG
The University of Oslo, established in 1811, is the oldest university in Norway

System

Admission

Acceptance to higher education requires either fulfilled three years of upper secondary school with general university admissions certification. This is awarded non-vocational students or vocational students who choose to not take their apprenticeship. Conversely study competence can be achieved by the so-called 23/5 rule where applicants must be 23 years of age and have a total of five years of upper secondary education and work experience as well as have passed courses in Norwegian, English, mathematics, science and social studies. To be accepted as certain lines (for instance engineering) advanced courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry must be passed.

Admission to bachelor level programs is coordinated through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service based on a point scale, with the highest ranking students offered a place. Points are awarded based on average grades from upper secondary school, but additional points are awarded students with secondary two-year course specialization, science specialization, age and fulfilled one year of higher education, military service or folk high school. Secondary school grades can be improved to increase points, but 40% of the places are only offered based on original transcripts without age or study points.

Structure

Norwegian Higher Education System.JPG

In 2003 a national reform, called the Quality reform, was implemented throughout the entire national higher education system. Norway was one of the first countries in Europe to implement the Bologna convention, thus creating a 3+2+3 year system in accordance with the Bologna Process.

A further step was taken in 2005 when the Act Relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Private Higher Education Institutions Act were merged into one common Act, the Act relating to universities and university colleges. [4] The common act ensures greater equality between the public and private higher education institutions, thus focusing more on the quality in higher education than ownership. The evaluation of Quality Assurance Systems at and accreditation of both public and private institutions are handled by a national agency for quality assurance, NOKUT.

First Cycle

Most students that fulfill the requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway are accepted to three-year Bachelor programs.

Second Cycle

Entrance to the two-year master programs are based upon the academic qualifications (grades) from the bachelor level.

Some programs (including architecture, business management at NHH, engineering at NTNU), Master of Dentistry and Master of Laws are five-year programs (one-tier degrees).

Three types of master's degrees are offered: Master of Science (science and business), Master of Philosophy (humanities and social studies) and Master of Technology (engineering).

Professional Degrees

Some professional oriented programs have been granted an exemption from the Bologna system. Physicians (cand.med.), veterinarians (cand.med.vet.), psychologist (cand.psychol.) and theologians (cand.theol.) are therefore still awarded degrees for six years of study.

Third Cycle

Doctor Philosophae degrees are awarded after three years of research-oriented education. Most programs also include one year of compulsory teaching as part of the education, making the total length of the program four years.

System of Grading

According to the ECTS-system the grading are given according to scale of six grades, ranging from an A to F, with A being the best and E the worst passing grade. F is a fail.

A normal study progression awards 60 credits (stp) per year (30 per semester), most institutions either use a 7.5 or a 10 credit block system.

Examinations are usually held every semester, in December and June, although exceptions occur.

Old system

Prior to 2002 the higher education in Norway had a significantly different system of education with roots back to the start of higher education in the country. It was based on a 3.5 or 4 year cand.mag. degree supplemented with a Masters or hovedfag lasting 1.5 or 2 years. Total study time was five years within sciences while it was six years within social studies and humanities. Master's degrees were named based on the line of study, for instance cand.scient. within science, cand.polit. in political studies or cand.oecon. within economics. Certain professional studies, such as medicine, law, and some engineering and business administration courses had professional studies that offered full-length degrees (without issuing cand.mag. titles). The titles awarded were cand.jur. (law, 6 years), cand.med. (medical doctor, 6 years), cand.psychol. (doctor of psychology, 6 years), siviløkonom (business administration, 4 years) or sivilingeniør (engineering, 4.5 years). NHH had a monopoly educating siviløkonoms while NTH had a monopoly educating sivilingeniørs. Doctorate studies were offered on top of the masters.

Grading was performed on a 1.0 to 4.0 system, with 1.0 as the best grade and 4.0 the worst passing grade. A total of 41 different grades could be awarded with the system. Credits (then called vekttall) were issued based on a nominal study of 20 credits per year (or 10 per semester).

Institutions

Universities

Traditionally there were only four universities in Norway, located in Oslo (since 1811), Bergen (1948), Trondheim (1968) and Tromsø (1972). Since 2005 any college offering five master programs and four doctoral programs can title themselves a university, leading to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Stavanger University College and Agder University College converting to universities.

The public universities of Norway are:

Currently there are no private universities in Norway, although BI Norwegian Business School has tried to advance to a full university.

Specialised universities

There are six public and three private specialised universities in Norway, each functioning as a national competence centre for the field they represent. Six are located in Oslo, one is in Molde, one is in Bergen and one in Stavanger. The Norwegian Institute of Technology and the Norwegian College of Agriculture have converted to full universities.

The public specialised universities in Norway are:

The private specialised universities are:

University colleges

The 23 university colleges in Norway are responsible for regional education of primarily bachelor level education within the fields of nursing, teaching, business management, engineering and information technology, though most colleges also offer a number of other academic degrees as well.

The public university colleges in Norway consist of:

The accredited private university colleges in Norway are:

Private institutions

There are a number of private higher education institutions in Norway, although the public institution cover more than ninety per cent of the student population in the country, meaning that less than ten per cent of students attend private institutions. [5]

The private institutions offer primarily programs and courses within popular fields of study where the number of public places is limited or offering accelerated courses. However some provide specialised courses not found in the public institutions such as Noroff University College in Kristiansand. [6]

Most of the private institutions are foundations, either autonomous (like the BI Norwegian Business School and Campus Kristiania) or part of various religious societies, like the School of Missions and Theology or Queen Maud University College.

Students attending private institutions may have to pay school fees equivalent to the entire cost of operating the education, though the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund will grant loans to cover the tuition fees.

Student welfare and economics

There are no tuition fees for attending public higher education in Norway, as all the costs are covered by the Ministry of Education and Research.

Students are also given the opportunity to apply for financial support (a part loan/part grant) from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. The main requirement for support from Fund is that you are a Norwegian citizen. However, foreign citizens may also be entitled to financial support. [7]

Eligible applicants may be granted financial support (a part loan/part grant) of about NOK 90,000. It is initially given as a full loan, but upon completion of modules in the education around 40 percent of the amount is transferred to a scholarship/grant if the modules are passed. There is no interest paid while taking the education.

While studying, all students belong to a student welfare organisation that takes care of such services as housing, on-campus dining, book stores, kindergartens, advisory services and some health care. Part of this is finances through a student fee, typically at NOK 300–500 per semester. There are a total of 25 such organisations, each covering a geographic area and often consisting of more than one institution. The sole exception is Oslo where there are two.

Programmes

The five main universities in Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim, Tromsø and Stavanger all offer a wide selection of courses within most fields, while certain minor fields have been left to the specialised universities, including veterinary studies and sports. Many educations are left to the regional colleges.

Architecture

Architecture is only offered at two public institutions, NTNU in Trondheim and the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. In addition the private college Bergen School of Architecture offers architect education. NTNU accepts students based on grades while the Oslo School accepts students based on a portfolio. Landscape architecture and area planning is offered at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences at Ås.

Business administration

Most business administrators are educated at the regional colleges throughout the country, with Bachelor programs offered in Alta, Tromsø, Narvik, Bodø, Steinkjer, Trondheim, Molde, Ålesund, Sogndal, Bergen, Haugesund, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Kongsberg, Oslo, Ås, Halden, Lillehammer, Gjøvik and Hamar. In addition NHH in Bergen is the specialised college offering the highest level of education within the field. Business administration is also offered at some private colleges, most notably the BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo.

Eight institutions offer a Master of Science in Business Administration, also granting the right to use the protected title siviløkonom. These are Bodø Graduate School of Business, Trondheim Business School, Molde University College, the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, the University of Stavanger, the University of Agder, BI Norwegian Business School and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Until the 1980s this level of education was only offered at NHH.

Engineering

In general, three-year bachelor's degrees in engineering are offered throughout the country at the regional colleges, most dominantly within the fields of construction, chemistry, electronics and informatics, though many others also exist. Five-year Master of Technology degrees are offered as well, primarily at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim and the University of Stavanger (UiS), though also at some other institutions to a lesser degree. Candidates with three years of education can apply to attend the last two years at NTNU or UiS to complete a Master's study. All Master engineers can use the protected title sivilingeniør. NTNU offers 14 different programs in engineering, whereas UiS only offers 8 different studies in engineering.

Law

The traditional five year long integrated Master of Laws (LLM) education is offered at the universities of Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø. Upon graduation one is given the title "Master i Rettsvitenskap" (Master of Laws, LLM). As of 2023, the University of Agder offers a two - year postgraduate master's degree in law, resulting in the same title [8] [9] In order to become a practicing lawyer, one has to work as a lawyer's apprentice (advokatfullmektig) for at least two years and have had five cases before a judge.

Medicine

Medicine is offered at the four of the five major universities in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsø, who have close cooperation with the university hospitals in the cities. Medical education takes six years and still grants the old cand.med. degree. After school candidates are required 1.5 years of practice before being granted certification. After six additional years of work experience they are awarded specialist certification.

Psychology

In contrast to other countries, Norway requires a six year long professional degree in order to earn the title of psychologist. [10] Whereas in other countries one can become a psychologist by way of first obtaining a bachelor's degree and then (depending on the nations system) either pursue a master's degree in the field or go straight to a PsyD degree, Norwegian psychologists are required to have obtained a cand.psychol degree in order to be licensed as a psychologist.

The six - year professional degree (cand.psychol) is as of 2024 only offered at the four traditional universities of Norway; The University of Oslo, NTNU, University of Bergen and The University of Tromsø. [11] Although attempts have been made to offer this degree at other universities, none have succeeded in doing so as of 2024. In 2023, The University of Agder's request to do so was denied by NOKUT (The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education). [12]

It is also possible to pursue a bachelor's, master's and Ph.D degree in the field outside of the cand.psychol track. [13] Although, as stated this will not result in the title nor the right to practice as a psychologist in the country. However, that does not mean that the traditional cand.psychol degree offered at Norwegian universities is the only way to gain said title. Norwegian students can apply to bachelor's degrees in psychology that offer the same courses as universities abroad and thus enable one to apply to a two - year long master's programme in countries that accept this track. [14] Usually Norwegian students in such instances apply to Danish universities. As the master's programme for clinical psychology in the country is closely aligned with the cand.psychol track. Thus, upon graduation from the master's programme the students can apply for accreditation from NOKUT (The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) and if they meet the requirements, become licensed psychologists in Norway. [15]

Educational Sciences (Pedagogy)

There are two ways to become a qualified teacher in Norway. For primary and lower secondary levels a four-year general teacher education is offered at most regional colleges in the country. This education qualifies the teachers to teach all subjects offered in the lower levels of education in Norway, though it allows students to specialize in subjects. Preschool teaching is offered at some of the regional colleges too.

For upper secondary school taking a degree at a university within the appropriate subject is the preferred course of line. After taking a degree, either at Bachelor or Master level, a one-year course in pedagogy is required before teacher certification is granted. To teach a particular subject at the upper secondary level, 60 credits in the appropriate field is required, making most teachers qualified to teach two or three subjects, though these are not absolute requirements.

Sciences

Virtually all education within the sciences are offered at the five major universities, in Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim, Tromsø and Stavanger, though some regional colleges have one-years or perhaps Bachelor programs in certain fields.

Journalism

Education in journalism is offered at most institutions in Norway. Ranging from year long programmes up to master's level [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BI Norwegian Business School</span> Business school in Norway

BI Norwegian Business School is a private university college in Norway. It was founded as a private, commercial night school in 1943, offering shorter courses in business and office-related subjects for tradespeople. In 1969 it became a foundation and it was later accredited as a college and later as a specialised university-level institution, becoming Norway's second business school after the state Norwegian School of Economics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</span> Public university in Trondheim, Norway

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is a public research university in Norway and the largest in terms of enrollment. The university's headquarters is located in Trondheim, with regional campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Agder</span> Public university in Norway

The University of Agder, formerly known as Agder College and Agder University College, is a public university with campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad, Norway. The institution was established as a university college (høgskole) in 1994 through the merger of the Agder University College and five other colleges, including a technical college and a nursing school, and was granted the status of a full university in 2007.

Education in Norway is mandatory for all children aged from 6 to 16. Schools are typically divided into two divisions: primary and lower secondary schooling. The majority of schools in Norway are municipal, where local governments fund and manage administration. Primary and lower secondary schools are available free of charge for all Norwegian citizens as a given right.

Siviløkonom is an academic degree issued within the field of business administration. It consists of a 3 year bachelor's degree followed by a two years masters degree and is also a professional title in Norway, obtained after the total of 5 years of studies. The title is protected and can only be used by persons having met certain qualifications as directed by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. It is mainly offered by nine institutions after the completion of a Master of Science in Business Administration.

The Government agencies of Norway are state controlled organizations that act independently to carry out the policies of the Government of Norway. The Government Ministries are relatively small and merely policy-making organizations, allowed to control agencies by policy decisions but not by direct orders. A Minister is explicitly prohibited from interfering with the day-to-day operation in an agency or the outcome in individual cases. While no minister is allowed to give orders to agencies personally, they are subject to decisions made by the Government. Also, the Minister is normally the instance of appeals of agencies decisions.

The Royal Ministry of Education and Research is a Norwegian government ministry responsible for education, research, kindergartens and integration. The ministry was established in 1814 as the Royal Ministry of Church and Education Affairs.

Sivilingeniør, is a legally protected engineering title awarded by technical universities in Norway. To qualify for the title, a student must follow a structured study programme in technology and natural sciences of 5 years duration at a Norwegian university or university college. Previously it was also a degree in and of itself, though today it is the equivalent of a Master of Science or Master of Technology degree. Before 1992, it was considered by the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH) to be equivalent to a Master of Science degree. Although the name is cognate with the English term civil engineer, the meanings do not correspond in modern usage.

Candidate of Medicine is an academic degree awarded in Denmark, Iceland, and Norway following a six-year medical school education.

The Quality Reform was a reform initialized by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research after recommendation from the Mjøs committee (1998–2000). It was introduced in 2002–03 and changed the entire system of higher education in Norway to comply with the Bologna process. This process is intended to take place throughout Europe to better integrate the higher educations systems, and Norway is among the first to implement this process. The Norwegian approach was a quick and brutal removal of the old system and replacement to the new instantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwegian Police University College</span>

The Norwegian Police University College is a public university college located in Oslo, Kongsvinger, Stavern and Bodø, Norway. It offers education for the police force of Norway, including a three-year basic education and four Master's degrees. 552 students were accepted at the Bachelor level in 2019 from 4,063 applicants. The university college also conducts research in relevant areas including law, police science, criminology, psychology and sociology. It is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police.

Sonans Utdanning is a private educational institution offering general subjects at upper secondary level and vocational school in Norway. It was established in 1989 in Stavanger, Norway under the name Stavanger Private Gymnas, which later developed into a chain of independent schools across Norway. The institution has 8500 students annually, and focuses on candidates who want to complete or improve grades from high school, or obtain study competencies in order to be admitted into higher education and reach specific study goals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candidate (degree)</span> Nomenclature of academic degree in various countries

Candidate is the name of various academic degrees, which are today mainly awarded in Scandinavia. The degree title was phased out in much of Europe through the 1999 Bologna Process, which has re-formatted academic degrees in Europe.

NLA University College is a private Norwegian Christian college accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education. The school has about 2,000 students and 200 employees distributed across three institutions: Bergen NLA College, Gimlekollen NLA College in Kristiansand, and Staffeldtsgate NLA College in Oslo. The institution in Bergen is the largest and hosts the college's head office. NLA University College acquired its institutions in Oslo and Kristiansand after the colleges there merged with NLA University College on January 1, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VID Specialized University</span> Private university in Norway

The VID Specialized University is a Norwegian accredited, private, non-profit specialized university headquartered in Oslo. VID has 6,000 students and nearly 700 employees. It is one of three private specialized universities in Norway, alongside BI and MF.

The elective bachelor's degree is an educational innovation of the 2001 Quality Reform in Norway. Designed to increase degree completion, allow students to pursue individual research interests, and facilitate adult learning, the elective bachelor's degree is characterised by students not being enrolled in a study programme and their flexibility in composing and combining majors, minors, and elective courses differing from the fixed standard offered by study programmes. A fully-fledged bachelor's degree, the elective bachelor's degree makes the holder eligible for admission to graduate studies.

Legal education in Norway refers to a graduate professional degree that qualifies the holder for the legal profession, that includes advocates (barristers/attorneys-at-law), judges and other professions that lawyers have a legal monopoly on. Norway has a united and regulated legal profession where all lawyers hold the same professional degree obtained after an integrated and comprehensive 5-year university programme with highly competitive admission requirements, that gives the right to use the legally protected title lawyer and in itself qualifies for entry-level legal practice, i.e. the entry-level positions in the legal profession such as associate advocate, deputy judge or junior prosecutor. Norwegian lawyers are organized in the trade union Norges Juristforbund.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tuition Fees In Norway: Detailed Guide For 2023 – The Norway Guide". thenorwayguide.com. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Are University Degrees Free In Norway? (Updated With New 2023 Information!) – The Norway Guide". thenorwayguide.com. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Tuition fees for students from outside EU/EEA and Switzerland | Study in Norway". studyinnorway.no. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Act relating to Universities and University Colleges Archived 21 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine published 09.02.2006
  5. ↑ Higher Education in Norway Archived 15 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "Home". noroff.com.
  7. ↑ "Who is eligible?". Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "UiA får utdanne jurister". Universitetet i Agder (in Norwegian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Rettsvitenskap - juss". Universitetet i Agder (in Norwegian). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  10. ↑ "Psykologi profesjonsstudium". Utdanning.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Psykologi profesjonsstudium". Utdanning.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  12. ↑ Strand, Hilde Kristin (12 January 2023). "Endelig nei til psykologi i Agder". www.khrono.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Psykologiske fag". Utdanning.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  14. ↑ "Psykologistudier i Danmark". ANSA (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  15. ↑ "Helsefaglig utdanning i utlandet – tips før du velger studium". Helsedirektoratet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "Journalistikk". Utdanning.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 22 March 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.