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Higher Education

Higher education is based on research and usually builds on three years’ completed and passed upper secondary education.

Most institutions of higher education are state-run and are responsible for the quality of their own instruction, research and dissemination of knowledge. About 12.5 per cent of students in higher education attend private institutions. Higher education builds on the successful completion of three years of upper secondary school. Since 2001, access can also be granted for those older than 25 years on the basis of a documented combination of formal, informal and non-formal competence (total qualifications).

Bilde av studenter. Foto: Samfoto.

Degree structure and grading system

In 2003 a reform was carried out in Norwegian Higher Education. The Quality Reform introduced a degree structure, grading system and quality assurance system in line with the Bologna Process.

Bilde av UiO.

Universities and University Colleges

There are seven universities in Norway. There are also six specialised institutions at university level. There are 24 public and two private university colleges.

Quality Assurance in Education

The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) is an independent agency with the task of carrying out external quality assurance of higher education and tertiary vocational education in Norway. NOKUT also handles applications for general recognition of foreign qualifications.

International Cooperation in Higher Education

SIU is Norway’s official agency for international programmes and measures related to education and training.

Latest news and publications about higher education:

Cultural or academic boycott of Israeli: - Not part of Norwegian Policy

[News story, Ministry of Education and Research, 11.11.2009]

- A cultural or academic boycott of Israeli or other educational establishments is not part of Norwegian policy, said Minister of Research and Higher Education, Mrs. Tora Aasland, in her answer to the Parliament today.

Entrepreneurship in Education and Training

[Plan, Ministry of Education and Research, 02.09.2009]

Norway has received international accolade for our work on entrepreneurship in education. A major factor in this is the strategy See the Opportunities and Make them Work! – Strategic Plan for Entrepreneurship in the Education System (2004-2008). The Government now sees the need both to develop further and to expand efforts in this field by presenting a new Action Plan with special emphasis on higher education.

Gender Equality in Higher Education

[Editorial article, Ministry of Education and Research, 15.07.2009]

Norway has a very high proportion of women with higher education degrees. In 2004, almost 60 per cent of registered students at Norwegian universities and colleges were women. More than 21 per cent of Norwegian women have a university or college degree, compared with 16 per cent of Norwegian men.

3800 new student places in higher education

[Press release, Ministry of Education and Research, 15.05.2009]

The Government proposes the establishment of 3 800 new student places at universities and university colleges as of fall 2009. In addition, the Government also increases the funding for the higher education institutions with 80 million kroner. The measures are part of the Revised National Budget released today.

Factsheet: White paper on internationalisation of education

[Guidelines and brochures, Ministry of Education and Research, 13.02.2009]

The White Paper describes the current situation and proposes new measures to nsure that the Norwegian education system provides pupils and students with the necessary skills to act and interact in an increasingly globalized world.

Factsheet: White Paper on Teacher Education

[Guidelines and brochures, Ministry of Education and Research, 06.02.2009]

The Government is proposing a new teacher education programme for primary and lower secondary education with a stronger emphasis on subject knowledge and teaching skills, quality of studies and research orientation.

Gender Equality in Higher Education and Research

[Speech/article, Ministry of Education and Research, 22.10.2008]

Statssekretær Jens Revold, Kunnskapsdepartementet, Gender Equality in Higher Education and Research. Swiss – Norwegian Dialogue on Policies and Measures, 22.10.2008, Bern.

Speech to Lakselaget in Minneapolis

[Speech/article, Ministry of Education and Research, 04.10.2008]

Minister of Research and Higher Education Tora Aaslands speech to Lakselaget 4. oktober 2008 i Golden Valley Country Club in Minneapolis.

Speech toThe Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce

[Speech/article, Ministry of Education and Research, 03.10.2008]

Minister of Research and Higher Education Tora Aaslands speech to The Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), 3. oktober 2008, Radisson Plaza Hotel, Minneapolis, USA.

Strengthening Cooperation in S&T in support of Policy Making

[Speech/article, Ministry of Education and Research, 29.08.2008]

State secretary r Jens Revolds speech at the “Joint Research Centre Information Day – Science in Support of Policymaking”, 29. august 2008 at The Research Council of Norway.

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