Undergraduate studies

Today most students entering an institution of higher education for the first time are pursuing a Bachelor's degree, or a professional degree programme like engineering, law or medical studies. As a foreign student you also have the possibility of obtaining an undergraduate level degree from a Norwegian institution if you meet the application requirements. Foreign students may also apply for a number of undergraduate courses not leading to a degree.

Bachelor’s degree
A Bachelor's degree is awarded by all the state universities, specialised university institutions, university colleges and several of the private institutions. It is normally obtained after three years of study.

The two national university colleges of the arts offer a Bachelor’s degree of four years’ duration.

Currently there are very few Bachelor's programmes that are offered in English at Norwegian institutions.

The "Høgskolekandidat" degree
("University college candidat degree")
The "Høgskolekandidat" degree is obtained after two years of study. This degree may be built upon to obtain a Bachelors degree. The degree is offered at some state university colleges and a few private institutions. Please note that the number of subject areas that are available under this degree is limited.

Currently there are no "Høgskolekandidat" degrees offered in English.

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Masters programmes

More and more students are pursuing a Masters degree. Norwegian institutions are constantly working to design Masters programmes that will give students in-depth knowledge, research experience and an attractive degree for future employers.

A Masters degree is awarded by the universities, specialised university institutions, several university colleges and some private institutions. The degree is normally obtained after 1 ½ -2 years of study and typically consists of 120 "studiepoeng"/ECTS.

An important part of this degree is independent research work of between 30-60 “studiepoeng”/ECTS credits leading to a Thesis.

Admission to a Masters degree programme is usually based on a completed Bachelor's degree. However, in special cases admission may granted based on other criterias. The basic admission requirements may vary depending on institution and course.

An increasing number of Norwegian institutions are offering Masters programmes where the language of instruction is English. Currently there are over 170 courses available in our online catalog.

Professional degree programmes
Various professional qualifications are awarded by all the state higher education institutions and a number of the private higher education institutions. These programmes/degrees are of four to six years’ duration and cover both regulated and non-regulated professions.

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PhD programmes

The Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) is awarded after three years of study following completion of a Masters degree or a professional degree/programme. Doctoral programmes, which are essentially research programmes, are offered by all university-level institutions, some state university colleges and a few private institutions.

The degree is made up of a training component equivalent to no less than 30 "studiepoeng"/ECTS (1 semester of full-time study) and a dissertation. The dissertation is an independent piece of scientific work that meets international standards within its subject area. If the dissertation is approved, it has to be defended at a public disputation.

The formal entrance qualification for the Ph.D. study is a Master-degree (2 years research master), or a corresponding degree from professional training schools (e.g. psychology, dentistry, medicine, law), or equivalent qualifications.

A number of Ph.D. programmes are designed as a four-year programme where 25 per cent of the time is reserved for teaching at lower level courses.

Some institutions offer two types of doctoral degrees: The “organised” doctoral degree is called Ph.D. (philosophiae doctor). This degree includes obligatory formal training and supervision in addition to the dissertation which is the main focus of the Ph.D.

The second type is a “free” doctoral degree which is called Dr. philos. (doctor philosophiae). No formal training or supervision is included in this degree, and this is typically not part of the institutions' formal Ph.D. programme or Research schools. The scientific status of the two degrees is the same.

More and more Ph.D. programmes in English are being offered at Norwegian institutions. You should contact each institution individually for more information.

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Research

Through internationalisation, basic research and innovation Norway is aiming to become a leading nation within research.

The Research Council of Norway is a national strategic body and funding agency for research and innovation activities. The Research Council covers all fields of research and innovation and works together with research institutions as well as the private and public sectors to reach the national financial goals and quality targets set in this area.

The list below shows some of the appointed target areas for Norwegian research:

• Marine research
• Energy and climate research
• Medicine and health research
• Food
• Communication technology (ICT)
• Biotechnology
• Material Science, Nanotechnology

The Research Council of Norway plays a vital role in developing and implementing the country’s research strategy. It acts as a government adviser identifying present and future needs for knowledge and research, and provides funding for independent research, as well as for research programmes and Norwegian participation in international research activities.

The Researcher's Mobility Portal
If you are a researcher planning your next stay in Norway, look here for career opportunities
and find relevant information and assistance.

Norwegian Centre of Excellence
In order to ensure quality in research, 13 Centres of Excellence have been established with the intention to bring more researchers and research groups to a high international standard. Additional centres for research-based innovation will hopefully be established in 2006. Their focus will be to develop the capability of the business sector and to stimulate innovation by forging close alliances between enterprises and research institutions.

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Summer programmes

Several Norwegian institutions of higher education offer shorter programmes during the summer months. These programmes span a number of subject areas.

International Summer School in Oslo 2009 (June 27- August 7)
The University of Oslo (UiO)
The ISS offers a variety of courses on undergraduate and graduate level, focusing on various aspects of Norwegian culture and society, and also on international issues. Participants attend daily classes, take examinations and/or write term papers, and receive a University of Oslo transcript. Credits will be certified, but accreditation can only be determined by the students' home institution. The summer school takes place from late June till early August.

Application deadline: February 1, 2009
>> Read more

Bergen Summer Research School
2009 Theme: Global Environmental and Climate Change: The second edition of the Bergen Summer Research School to be held during August 2009 will be dedicated to the theme of Global Environmental and Climate Change.
Application deadline: February 15, 2009
>> Read more

BI Norwegian School of Management
International Summer Programme, June 27 – July 17 2009
Intercultural Management – a Scandinavian perspective
The BI International Summer Programme is a three-week intensive programme focussing on Scandinavian management. The programme features lectures by highly qualified BI faculty, company meetings, classes on Norwegian Life and Society and social and cultural activities that will give students an unforgettable summer experience.

Application deadline: March 25, 2009
>> Read more

Summer Programme
Summer at Oslo University College (OUC), Oslo
The second International Summer Program at OUC will be arranged from June 22nd to July 10th 2009. From our range of bachelor and master courses offered throughout the regular academic year, we choose to offer seven courses: LATINA: Learning and Teaching in a Digital World; Non-Toxic Printmaking; Oral tradition and storytelling; Philosophy in School; Globalization, Development and Issues of Inter-Cultural Understanding; Introduction to Public Health; and Nursing and Children- different aspects related to Health Care.

Application deadline: March 2, 2009.
>> Read more

Intensive Norwegian Summer Courses For Exchange Students - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU offers intensive courses in Norwegian language especially designed for exchange students.This programme is supported by the EILC programme of the European Commission.
Application deadline: May 31, 2009
>> Read more

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Petroleum Studies

Have you ever dreamt of a career in the petroleum sector? Look up and discover Norway. A well of possibilities.

After almost 40 years of experience in the petroleum industry, Norway has acquired a unique knowledge in the fi eld. Norway is in the forefront in the areas of technology and environmental protection, and building up expertise in the field has been an important element in the petroleum policy.

A strategy for the high north

The Norwegian Government gives priority to research aimed at meeting the technological and environmental challenges in the High North. The High North strategy promotes further development of expertise and technology that will enable oil and gas exploration and production to be carried out in a responsible and efficient way.

Studies and research related to the petroleum sector

The capacity-building in the Norwegian oil and gas sector is being developed in close cooperation between companies, research centres and higher education institutions. As a result of this close cooperation, students and researchers will have the possibility to participate in a dynamic and challenging professional environment both through theoretical approach and practical internships. Norwegian universities and university colleges offer a wide range of programmes and courses within petroleum engineering, petroleum-related geosciences and other areas such as petroleum law, arctic engineering and logistics. In this publication we are happy to present programmes aimed at international students within the petroleum fi eld. The programmes listed in this guide are taught in English and have no tuition fees. Both the institutions in this guide and other Norwegian institutions also offer several programmes taught in Norwegian.

[Download the publication Petroleum Studies in Norway]

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Marine Studies

Norway offers several study programmes and courses aimed at international students within the marine field.

The excellency and solid experience in the area of marine research and fisheries management make Norway an interesting destination for students who want to pursue a career in this field.

Norwegian universities and university colleges offer programmes and courses in the field of fisheries and marine resources management as well as industry-related research in aquaculture and biotechnology.

[download the publication Marine Studies in Norway]

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What can I study?

Whether you are just standing on the doorstep to higher education or are a higher level student looking to specialise within a subject area, Norwegian institutions can offer courses and programmes tailored to most needs. Look up and discover our unique student experience!

“Education for all” is the basic principle of the Norwegian education system. Regardless of social background, ethnicity, age or religion, persons should have equal opportunities to pursue a higher education degree. We encourage you to explore the various programmes offered at our universities and university colleges.

Quality assurance
Accessibility should not compromise with quality. Thus, in Norway we have a rigorous system for quality assurance in higher education. In order for Norwegian institutions to offer accredited programmes they either need an institutional accreditation or receive accreditation for individual courses based on a set of quality criteria. The accreditation is granted by an independent agency that performs a thorough evaluation prior to granting an accreditation.

Norway - in compliance with the principles of the Bologna process
When studying in Norway you are also studying in a country that has fully implemented many of the principles of the Bologna process. This includes a 3+2+3 degree system, diploma supplements and the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). So when you have finished a degree or course(s) at a Norwegian institution, you hold papers that are transferable to many other countries.

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