Regulations concerning accreditation, evaluation and recognition pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges Unauthorised Translation
Stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Research on 2 January 2003 pursuant to Sections 1-6 second paragraph, Subsections 2-1, 3-1 and 3-4 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges no. 15 of 1 April 2005.
Chapter 1 General provisions 1-1 Scope The regulations apply to consideration of applications and determination of standards for accreditation of institutions and programmes of study, and requirements regarding quality assurance systems at Universities and University Colleges, joint degrees and recognition of qualifications in conformance with Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
1-2 Quorum and majority requirements The Board of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) has a quorum for consideration of applications pursuant to these Regulations when the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman and four other members are present. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
1-3 Appointment of experts and requirements regarding the competence of such experts (1) NOKUT shall appoint experts to conduct evaluations of the institutions’ quality assurance systems, cf. Subsection 2-2, and evaluations pertaining to applications for accreditation of programmes of study andinstitutions, and revision of accreditation, cf. Chapter 3. NOKUT shall also appoint experts to conduct evaluations further to its capacity to assess the quality of higher education. NOKUT shall stipulate the mandate for such evaluations.
(2) The experts shall have competence within at least one of the following fields: evaluation quality assurance the field to be evaluated or another relevant field.
NOKUT may stipulate detailed criteria for the competence of such experts and rules regarding their appointment.
1-4 Consideration of applications (1) The experts shall submit their report concerning an evaluation as stated in Subsection 1-3 first paragraph. NOKUT will send the report to the institution, which will be granted at least 6 weeks in which to comment before NOKUT makes its decision. NOKUT’s decision will be sent to the institution, with information about the appeals procedure.
(2) NOKUT draws up guidelines for the format and processing of applications for accreditation of programmes of study and institutions, cf. Subsections 3-1 and 3-2. If any such application is rejected, NOKUT may, in special cases, decide that a new application may not be submitted for another two years.
1-5 Relationship to the Public Administration Act The relationship to the Public Administration Act shall apply in consideration of applications pursuant to these regulations with the following exceptions and specifications:
Decisions pursuant to Subsections 2-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 3-5, 5-1 and 5-2 are regarded as individual decisions pursuant to Section 2, first paragraph (b) of the Public Administration Act. Only a person to whom a decision applies directly may appeal against decisions made by NOKUT. NOKUT’s professional assessment of the factual circumstances in connection with decisions pursuant to Subsections 2-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-4 and 3-5 may not be appealed.
Chapter 2 Quality assurance systems 2-1 Requirements regarding quality assurance systems (1) Universities and university colleges shall maintain a system for their quality assurance work which ensures continual improvements, provides satisfactory documentation of the work and is capable of revealing inferior quality.
(2) The quality assurance system shall comprise all processes of significance for the quality of programmes of study, beginning with the information provided to prospective applicants and ending with completion of the programme of study. Routines shall be incorporated for students’ evaluation of teaching, for the institution’s self-evaluation and its follow-up on evaluations, documentation of the institution’s development of the learning environment and routines for quality assurance of new programmes of study.
(3) NOKUT shall stipulate, in consultation with the sector, the criteria in relation to which the quality assurance system shall be evaluated.
2-2 Evaluation of the institutions’ systems for quality assurance (1) NOKUT shall evaluate institutional systems for quality assurance. Such evaluation shall include both the system’s structure, the documentation it produces and the assessments of educational quality conducted by the institution itself. A maximum period of six years shall elapse between evaluations of the system for quality assurance at the individual institution. NOKUT shall establish a schedule for the evaluation.
(2) The evaluation shall result in a notification as to the extent to which the system as a whole is satisfactory, and, as appropriate, shall indicate areas in which the institution should further develop the system.
(3) If NOKUT finds fundamental deficiencies in the quality assurance system, the institution shall be granted a time limit of six months to rectify matters.
2-3 Withdrawal of the right to apply for accreditation of programmes of study and the authority to establish programmes of study (1) If NOKUT decides that the quality assurance system is unsatisfactory at an institution offering accredited programmes of study, the institution loses the right to apply for accreditation of new programmes of study. The institution may require that a new evaluation of the system for quality assurance be conducted one year after NOKUT made its decision. The institution itself must approach NOKUT to request that it conducts a new evaluation. If, after a new evaluation, NOKUT finds the system for quality assurance satisfactory, the institution shall be permitted once again to apply for accreditation of new programmes of study.
(2) If NOKUT decides that the quality assurance system is unsatisfactory at an institution accredited as a university college, specialised university institution or university, this decision shall be forwarded to the Ministry. The Ministry will then revoke the institution’s authority to establish new programmes of study provided by 3-3 first and second paragraphs of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges. The institution may request that a new evaluation of the quality assurance system be conducted one year after the authority to establish programmes of study was revoked by the Ministry. The institution itself must approach NOKUT to request that it conducts a new evaluation. If, after a new evaluation, NOKUT finds the system for quality assurance satisfactory, the Ministry shall grant the institution the authority to establish new programmes of study for which the institution is accredited.
Chapter 3 Accreditation of programmes of study and institutions 3-1 Accreditation of programmes of study (1) Institutions not subject to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges may apply to NOKUT for accreditation of their programmes of study.
(2) University colleges and specialised university institutions may apply to NOKUT for accreditation of programmes of study which the individual institution does not itself possess the authority to establish.
(3) University colleges may apply to NOKUT for accreditation of fellowship programmes for artistic development work offered by the individual university college, and corresponding doctoral programmes, cf. Subsection 3-3 second and third paragraphs. Accreditation may also be awarded on the basis of the university college’s contribution to a joint fellowship programme for artistic development work.
(4) A precondition for accreditation of programmes of study is that the requirements stipulated in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges are met, cf. also Subsection 2-1 of the present Regulations. Any regulations and framework plans authorised by Subsection 3-2 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges shall be taken into consideration in relation to the accreditation.
(5) NOKUT shall issue regulations providing the standards and criteria on which accreditation of programmes of study shall be based, including the relationship between decentralised activities and other activities and fellowship programmes for artistic development work. NOKUT shall ensure that the standards are in conformance with such international standards as Norway is under obligation to adhere to.
(6) Significant changes to programmes of study accredited under the present Regulations shall be submitted to NOKUT.
(7) NOKUT’s decisions regarding accreditation of programmes of study forming the basis for a second degree or professional qualifications under paragraphs one and two, and decisions regarding accreditation of fellowship programmes as set out in paragraph three shall be forwarded to the Ministry.
3-2 Accreditation of institutions (1) Institutions offering accredited programmes of study may apply to NOKUT for accreditation of the institution. Institutions that have obtained accreditation in one institutional category may apply to NOKUT for accreditation in another category.
(2) NOKUT’s decisions regarding accreditation as a university college, specialised university institution or university shall be forwarded to the Ministry.
3-3 Standards for accreditation of institutions (1) Accreditation as a university college is dependent on the following conditions being met: The institution’s primary activity shall be higher education, research and academic or artistic development work and dissemination. The institution’s organisation and infrastructure shall be adapted to its activities. The institution shall engage in research and academic or artistic development activities related to its subject areas. The institution shall retain employees in teaching and research posts in key subject areas comprised by the programmes of study. The institution shall hold accreditation for at least one programme of study which grants the institution the independent right to award first degrees, and shall have conducted examinations of first degree level students for at least two years. The institution shall be affiliated with national and international networks in higher education, research or artistic development work. The institution shall have a satisfactory academic library.
(2) Accreditation as a specialised university institution is dependent on the following conditions being met: The institution’s primary activity shall be higher education, research and academic or artistic development work and dissemination. The institution’s organisation and infrastructure shall be adapted to its activities. The institution shall engage in research and academic or artistic development activities of a high standard related to its subject areas. The institution shall retain employees in teaching and research posts in subject areas comprised by the programmes of study. The institution shall hold accreditation for at least one programme of study of at least five years’ duration, in total or as an integrated programme, which grants the institution the independent right to award second degrees, and shall have conducted examinations of second degree level students for at least two years. The institution shall maintain a stable researcher training programme and have the independent right to award doctoral degrees or hold accreditation for corresponding fellowship programmes for artistic development work, cf. Subsection 3-1, third paragraph. The institution shall be affiliated with national and international networks in higher education, research and academic or artistic development work, and shall participate in the national cooperation on researcher training or corresponding fellowship programmes for artistic development work. The institution shall have a satisfactory academic library.
(3) Accreditation as a university is dependent on the following conditions being met: The institution’s primary activity shall be higher education, research and academic or artistic development work and dissemination. The institution’s organisation and infrastructure shall be adapted to its activities. The institution shall engage in research and academic or artistic development activities of a high standard related to its subject areas. The institution shall retain employees in teaching and research posts in subject areas comprised by the programmes of study. The institution shall hold accreditation for at least five programmes of study of at least five years’ duration, in total or as integrated programmes, which grants the institution the independent right to award second degrees, and first degrees within several subject areas. The institution shall have conducted examinations of students at first or second degree levels in the majority of these subject areas. The institution shall maintain a stable researcher education and hold the independent right to award doctoral degrees in at least four subject areas. Two of these shall be key subject areas in relation to creation of economic value in the region and they must also be of national importance. One of the four doctoral degrees may be constituted by the fellowship programme for artistic development work for which the institution has been accredited, cf. Subsection 3-1, third paragraph. The institution shall be affiliated with national and international networks in higher education, research and academic or artistic development work, and shall participate in the national cooperation on researcher training or corresponding artistic fellowship programmes. The institution shall have a satisfactory academic library.
(4) NOKUT shall issue regulations providing detailed criteria for accreditation as a university college, specialised university institution or university.
3-4 Revision of accreditation of programmes of study (1) NOKUT may at its discretion conduct an evaluation of a programme of study with a view to conduct a revision of a previously granted accreditation. Prescribed standards and criteria authorised by Subsection 3-1 shall be adopted as the basis for the evaluation. NOKUT shall also take into consideration the academic level of the programme of study and documented results.
(2) If NOKUT finds that a programme of study fails to comply with the requirements imposed, the institution shall be granted a time limit of 1 year to rectify matters. In cases where the deficiencies concern the competence requirements applying to employees in teaching and research posts, NOKUT may grant a time limit of up to 2 years. Upon expiry of the time limit, NOKUT shall conduct an evaluation of the extent to which such rectification has been adequate.
(3) If NOKUT decides to revoke accreditation of a programme of study, the institution shall withdraw the programme of study immediately. The institution shall conclude an agreement with another institution qualified to assume academic responsibility for ensuring that the students are able to complete their studies and sit their examinations, or shall institute other measures, approved by NOKUT, to enable students to complete their studies.
(4) If an institution has been ordered to withdraw a programme of study because it is no longer accredited, NOKUT may, in special circumstances, determine that a new application for accreditation of the same programme of study may not be made until 2 years have elapsed.
3-5 Revision of accreditation of institutions (1) NOKUT may at its discretion conduct an evaluation of an institution with a view to conduct a revision of a previously granted accreditation. Standards prescribed in or authorised by Subsection 3-3 shall form the basis for this evaluation.
(2) If NOKUT finds that an institution no longer complies with the requirements regarding accreditation, cf. Subsection 3-3, the institution will be granted a time limit of 1 year to rectify matters. In cases where the deficiencies concern the competence requirements applying to employees in teaching and research posts, NOKUT may grant a time limit of up to 2 years. Upon expiry of the time limit, NOKUT shall conduct an evaluation of the extent to which such rectification has been adequate to bring the institution up to the necessary academic level. If the requirements for accreditation are still not met, NOKUT shall revoke the accreditation.
(3) NOKUT’s decision to revoke the accreditation of an institution shall be forwarded to the Ministry.
(4) If an institution has lost its accreditation, NOKUT may decide that a new application for accreditation in the same institutional category may not be made until 2 years have elapsed.
Chapter 4 Joint degrees 4-1 The authority of institutions to award degrees and professional diplomas jointly with other institutions (1) Universities and university colleges are permitted to award degrees and professional diplomas in cooperation with other Norwegian or foreign institutions (joint degrees).
(2) For studies that are to form the basis of a joint degree and which the individual institution does not have the authority to establish, the rules regarding accreditation shall apply under Subsection 3-1 of the present Regulations insofar as they are appropriate. NOKUT may in such cases also accredit individual components of a programme of study.
4-2 Requirements regarding joint degrees – the responsibilities of the institutions (1) Universities and university colleges awarding joint degrees shall conclude agreements with partner institutions which regulate the division of responsibilities between the parties, including the award of degrees and the format of certificates.
(2) Each institution shall ascertain that the partner institutions are accredited or publicly authorised to award higher education qualifications in compliance with applicable systems in the countries in question, and that the programmes of study concerned are accredited as higher education at the level of the joint degree.
(3) Students admitted to programmes of study which are components of a joint degree between Norwegian and foreign institutions shall be ensured of a period of study of a certain duration at the partner institutions.
(4) If the partnership on a joint degree ceases, the institution shall conclude an agreement with another institution qualified to assume academic responsibility for ensuring that the students are able to complete their studies and sit their examinations, or shall institute other measures to enable students to complete their studies. Such measures shall be approved by NOKUT in cases where NOKUT has accredited the programmes of study concerned at the institutions, cf. Subsection 4-1, second paragraph.
(5) Universities and university colleges shall notify NOKUT concerning which joint degrees the institution awards.
4-3 Supplementary provisions NOKUT may issue supplementary provisions concerning joint degrees in its Regulations.
Chapter 5 Transfer of credits and recognition of qualifications from foreign higher educational institutions or Norwegian institutions not subject to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges 5-1 General recognition as equivalent to Norwegian higher education (1) NOKUT considers applications for individuals for general recognition of qualifications from foreign higher educational institutions or Norwegian institutions not subject to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges The recognition shall state equivalence in ECTS credits in relation to degrees and professional diplomas awarded under the authority of Subsection 3-2 of the aforementioned Act, and whether the qualifications are equivalent in terms of level and scope to a Norwegian degree/diploma.
(2) Applications for general recognition shall include attested copies from the educational institution concerned, or copies of such documentation attested by a public authority. NOKUT may issue detailed guidelines concerning application and documentation requirements.
(3) In the case of general recognition of foreign qualifications, NOKUT shall ensure that the qualifications for which a recognition application is made are accredited or officially recognised as higher education in the country in question.
(4) NOKUT shall ensure that decisions concerning general recognition are made publicly available.
(5) NOKUT shall ascertain that Norwegian interests and obligations under international agreements concerning recognition of and information about higher education are honoured. NOKUT may be assigned national undertakings in this domain.
5-2 Reporting concerning recognition of foreign qualifications Institutions which, under Subsection 3-4, third paragraph, of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, are authorised to independently recognise the foreign qualifications of individuals as academically equivalent to a degree or diploma awarded by the institution itself, shall report their decisions to NOKUT.
Chapter 6 Appeals 6-1 Appeal board (1) The Ministry shall appoint an appeal board to decide appeals against decisions made by NOKUT.
(2) The appeal board shall have five members and personal deputies. Two members shall be students. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman shall fulfil the statutory qualification requirements for judges of the Court of Appeal.
(3) The Chairman shall not be an employee or member of the board of an institution subject to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
6-2 Decisions of the appeal board (1) The appeal board has a quorum when the Chairman, or Deputy Chairman, and three other members are present. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
(2) Decisions of the appeal board may not be appealed.
Chapter 7 Final provisions 7-1 Transitional rules Within 5 years from the entry into force of these Regulations, the quality assurance systems of all Universities and University Colleges shall have been subjected to evaluation, cf. Subsection 2-2.
7-2 Amendments to other regulations Regulations of 2 January 2003 no. 4 concerning accreditation, evaluation and approval pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Act relating to Private Colleges are hereby repealed.
7-3 Entry into force The Regulations shall enter into force immediately.
