Regulations relating to Requirements Regarding Master’s Degrees
Stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Research on 1 December 2005 pursuant to Subsection 3-2 first paragraph and Subsection 3-7 second paragraph of Act relating to Universities and University Colleges no. 15 of 1 April 2005.
1. Scope
The Regulations apply to requirements regarding master’s degrees for institutions subject to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
2. Requirements regarding academic basis, etc.
The Board of the institution may prescribe that certain disciplines, subjects or groups of subjects shall form part of the programme of study on which the master’s degree is based. The Board may prescribe ranking rules for qualified applicants, and likewise has the authority to prescribe special academic minimum requirements.
The master’s degree shall be attained on the basis of a master’s degree examination worth 120 ECTS credits (2 years), including independent work pursuant to Section 6. The degree shall be based on completion of one of the following programmes of study:
bachelor’s degree
cand.mag. degree
other degree or professional education of at least 3 years’ scope
education which under Subsection 3-4 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges is recognised as equivalent to the above-stated degrees or programmes of study.
One of the above-stated programmes of study shall include:
in-depth study of a discipline, subject or group of subjects worth at least 80 ECTS credits or
integrated professional training worth at least 120 ECTS credits within the subject area for the master’s degree.
The institutions may in special instances approve other documented qualifications as wholly or in part equivalent to the programmes of study cited above.
The master’s degree shall be attained on the basis of a master’s degree examination worth 300 ECTS credits (5 years), including independent work pursuant to Section 6. Excepted from this provision is the degree in architecture from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design which shall have a scope of 330 ECTS credits (5½ years).
The master’s degree shall be attained on the basis of a master’s degree examination worth 90 or 120 ECTS credits, including independent work pursuant to Section 6, and completion of one of the following programmes of study:
bachelor’s degree
cand.mag. degree
other degree or professional education of at least 3 years’ scope
education which under Subsection 3-4 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges is recognised as equivalent to the above-stated degrees or programmes of study.
In addition, this title requires at least 2 years of relevant professional practice. The institution shall assess what constitutes relevant professional practice, and for each individual programme of study may require an extended period of professional practice.
The institutions may in special instances approve other documented qualifications as wholly or in part equivalent to the programmes of study cited above.
6. Requirements regarding independent work
Master’s degrees pursuant to Section 3 and Section 5 shall incorporate independent work worth at least 30 ECTS credits.
Master’s degrees pursuant to Section 4 shall incorporate independent work worth at least 20 ECTS credits.
The scope of the independent work shall not exceed 60 ECTS credits.
The independent work shall demonstrate an appreciation of its subject, reflection and maturity of approach.
The institution shall prescribe detailed rules for the independent work, including its scope, the format for assessment and whether the work is to be undertaken individually or by several students.
7. Exceptions
Master’s degrees created by Royal Decree prior to 1 July 2002 pursuant to the Act of 12 May 1995 no. 22 relating to Universities and University Colleges or Act of 11 July 1986 no. 53 relating to Private Colleges, and for which the nominal length of study is 1-1½ years, may be continued.
The Ministry may in special cases approve new master’s programmes of this type subject to application.
8. Entry into force
The Regulations shall enter into force immediately. The Regulations of 2 July 2002 no. 738 relating to Requirements Regarding Master’s Degrees are hereby immediately repealed.
