Norwegian Educational System

Sist oppdatert 25.11.2011 av Maija Heinilä

One of the basic principles of Norwegian educational policy is that all children and young people have an equal right to education and training irrespective of domicile, sex, social or cultural background and aptitude. All public education is free. Education and the development of skills have high political priority. The objective is an educational system that achieves the highest academic standards and includes the largest possible proportion of the population.

The educational system in Norway comprises:

Primary and lower secondary education (compulsory school), 6- to 16-year-olds, total of 10 years
Upper secondary education (general education and vocational training), 16- to 19-year-olds, total of 3 years
Higher education (universities and colleges)

Higher Education

Institutions offering higher education may be divided into two sectors:

The university sector includes six universities
The university college sector covers 26 regionally dispersed state colleges - one of which is Vestfold University College.

The decentralization of higher education is part of Norwegian educational policy, and the establishment of university colleges all over the country was a move to make higher education more accessible and to raise the level of qualified expertise in outlying parts of the country. The programmes offered at these colleges are usually shorter and more occupationally oriented than those at the universities. Studies at the state colleges can also provide the basis for fulfilling the entrance requirements for graduate studies at the universities and/or university colleges.

Admission Requirements for Higher Education

To gain access to higher education, an applicant has to have general study competence. The normal qualification is the final upper secondary examination issued upon completion of a total of 13 years education below higher education level.

Foreign applicants should normally fulfill the requirements which admit them to university studies in their home country.

The Degree System

In Norway the following degrees exist, all offered by Vestfold University College:

Bachelor's - A degree offered after a total of 3 years of study
Master's - A final diploma or title awarded upon completion of a further 2 years of study
PhD (in cooperation with other institutions)

Grading system

Grades, for undergraduate and graduate education, are awarded according to international standards on a scale with A as the best. A "pass"/"fail" mark is given for some examinations.

Work-load

University and college programmes are measured in ECTS points. The normal work load for one semester is 30 ECTS points.

Vestfold County

24.03.2009
Vestfold County is the smallest county in area in Norway with its 2 215 Square kilometres. There are seven cities, all located by the coastline, and a total of 217 000 inhabitants.
Meet the Norwegians

20.03.2009
Foreigners tend to find Norwegians shy and reserved. Like anywhere else, the locals are not a homogeneous group but different individuals with different backgrounds and interests. What most Norwegians have in common is that they are very fond of nature, and during the weekends you will meet many ...
Useful Links

12.01.2009
Norwegian Educational System

12.01.2009
One of the basic principles of Norwegian educational policy is that all children and young people have an equal right to education and training irrespective of domicile, sex, social or cultural background and aptitude. All public education is free. Education and the development of skills have high ...