Higher Education in Norway - Fulbright.no

The Ministry of Education and Research has the overall responsibility for higher education in Norway. There are eight universities, several specialized institutions at the university level and more than 20 public and private university colleges. The system is based on a model that offers traditional academic education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels, as well as professional education programs which are not divided into bachelor and master levels. These professional education programs are fixed programs of study bestowing specific professional qualifications. Most courses of study in the professions take five years to complete and lead to a master’s degree. After graduation, you will be awarded a specific - and frequently protected - professional title or authorization. In Norway, these courses of study include medicine, law, pharmacy, dental hygiene, teaching (with a full university degree), psychology, and dentistry.

In addition to their teaching activities, all higher education institutions, and particularly the universities, are responsible for conducting basic research as well as researcher training. This is primarily done through graduate-level studies and doctoral degree programs.

The University College (høyskoler) system was developed to decentralize and expand opportunities for students in Norway to access higher education.  Many students combine courses from Universities (universiteter) and University Colleges (høyskoler) in their bachelor and/or masters programs.

The 2003 Quality Reform introduced a degree structure, grading system and quality assurance system in line with the Bologna Process.  The common higher education degree structure follows the 3+2+3 (bachelor, master, Ph.D.) plan that most European universities offer.

As a rule tuition is not required to study at Norwegian higher education institutions, although fees may be imposed by professional education programs and specialized education programs, as well as at private institutions.

The academic year runs from mid-August to June.