The Norwegian public educational system consists of six universities, five specialised university institutions, 25 state university colleges and two national institutes of the arts. There is also a small private sector, but the majority of students in Norway (approximately 90 %) attend state institutions.
All institutions of higher education are subject to the authority of the Ministry of Education and Research. The independent government body NOKUT, Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education is responsible for assessing the quality of programmes and institutions. Through evaluation, accreditation and recognition of quality systems, institutions and course provisions, the purpose of NOKUT is to supervise and help develop the quality of higher education in Norway.
Degree structure
Lillehammer and Gjøvik University Colleges offer bachelor and master programmes The Bachelor’s degree is obtained after three years of study, with exams totalling 180 ECTS credits.
The Master's degree is awarded on completion of two additional years of graduate study beyond the undergraduate degree and includes independent research and a thesis.
Credit point system
The credit system corresponds to ECTS. The full-time workload is 30 credits per semester (60 credits per academic year).
Grading scale
Grades for undergraduate and postgraduate examinations are awarded according to a graded scale from A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade. A pass/fail mark is given for some examinations.
Diploma Supplement
The Diploma Supplement is built on a model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. The purpose of the supplement is to provide sufficient independent data to improve the international ”transparency” and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.) It is designed to provide a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed by the individual named on the original qualification to which the supplement is appended.
Norwegian institutions of higher education issue a Diploma Supplement (free of charge) to all students who are awarded a degree.
In 2004 the European Commission awarded a Label to institutions ensuring transparency and recognition by issuing correct Diploma Supplements. 85 applications were submitted, and 28 institutions were finally selected. Norway produced half of the successful applications, and Gjøvik and Lillehammer University Colleges were two of the 14 selected Norwegian institutions.
