Higher Education Systems - Norway

Higher education in Norway is provided by universities (Universiteter), specialised university institutions (Vitenskapelige høgskoler), university colleges (Høgskoler) and institutions with accredited programs.

Universities and specialised university institutions provide education at university level, offering programs at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level. They are autonomous in terms of the accreditation of their own programs of study and authorized to create new educational programs at all levels, without needing to apply to an external accrediting body. The university colleges and other higher education institutions also have the right to accredit their own programs but not at all levels. These institutions are authorized to create their own Bachelor’s degree programs; however, they must apply to the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) for the external accreditation of new Master's and PhD programs [NO1].

The degree system in Norwegian higher education was completely restructured in 2002/2003 as part of the Bologna Process. The basic structure of the current degree system follows the 3+2+3 model, representing a 3-year Bachelor’s degree program, a 2-year Master’s degree program and a 3-year PhD program. In addition, traditional programs of one single cycle of 5 to 6 years are still offered. There are also undergraduate programs of relatively short duration [NO2].

In Norway, the following qualifications are offered:

• Høgskolekandidat awarded by university colleges upon completion of a 2-year undergraduate program. This degree might allow students to continue to the third year of a Bachelor’s degree program. The statistics regarding 2-year undergraduate programs have not been included in the data shown under the menu "Statistics".
• Bachelor’s degree (Bachelorgrad) programs are usually of 3 years (180 ECTS). The titles used under Norwegian legislation refer directly to the field of study (e.g. Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Biology, etc).
• Master’s degree (Mastergrad) programs usually take 2 years (120 ECTS). One of the major requirements for the Master’s degree is the completion of an independent research work of at least 30 ECTS. In addition to the 2-year Master's programs, there are also integrated Master’s programs lasting 5 years as well as experience-based Master's programs that last one year and a half. Admission to these 1,5-year Master's programs requires earning 180 ECTS and having at least two years of professional work experience.
• PhD (Doktorgrad) programs last for 3 years following the attainment of a Master’s degree. The PhD program consists of classes on research skills, and the writing and public defence of a doctoral thesis.

Admission

Completion of secondary education at advanced level, equivalent to passing the exam at the end of Norwegian secondary school, is the general basic requirement for entry to Norwegian universities and university colleges accredited by NOKUT. Some study programs have special admission requirements, usually related to specialist subjects or fields of study from secondary school.