Regulations Relating to Standards and Criteria for Accreditation of Programme of Study and Criteria for Accreditation of Institutions in Norwegian Higher Education
Issued by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) 25 January 2006 pursuant to the Regulations concerning accreditation, evaluation and recognition no. 1040 issued 8 September 2005 by the Ministry of Education and Research pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
Chapter 1 Scope
1 Scope These Regulations concern accreditation of programme of study and institutions pursuant to Act relating to Universities and University Colleges no. 15 of 1 April 2005 and Regulations no. 1040 of 8 September 2005.
Chapter 2 Standards and criteria for accreditation of programme of study
2-1 Standards and criteria for accreditation of programme of study at first degree level The provisions apply to programme of study ranging from a scope of 30 ECTS credits up to and including Bachelor’s degrees and professional training programmes a nominal length of study of four years. 2-1 (1) A plan shall be available for each programme of study.
The programme of study shall have a representative name.
The admission requirements shall be commensurate with the objectives, contents and level of the programme of study.
The objectives of the programme of study shall be stated explicitly. These objectives shall state the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students are to have acquired on completion of the programme of study, and the nature of the skills provided by the programme of study in relation to further studies and/or professional practice.
The plan shall set out the structure of the programme of study and its compulsory and elective components; its breadth and level of specialisation.
The syllabus and teaching shall be designed to provide students of the programme of study with skills in relation to the programme of study objectives.
The programme of study shall provide students with an introduction to research and development work.
The teaching shall be based on relevant research, and professional or artistic development work and experiential knowledge.
The arrangements for examination and assessment shall be adapted to the teaching and academic supervision provided and shall be appropriate for attainment of the objectives of the programme of study.
Plans for and performance of any practical training shall be related to the objectives of the programme of study and such skills as students are to have acquired on completion of the programme of study.
2-1 (2) The institution shall maintain a stable body of academic staff assigned to the programme of study.
The size of the academic staff shall be stated in terms of full-time equivalents, and shall be adapted to the programme of study requirements for teaching and academic supervision, and the research-based and academic or artistic development work to be undertaken.
At least 50% of the academic staff assigned to the programme of study shall be employees with main posts (hovedstilling) at the institution.
At least 20% of the academic staff shall have senior lecturer/professorial status(førstestillingskompetanse).
For programme of study involving practical training, the academic staff shall also have experience from the field of practice.
For areas in which the institution requires supplementary competence, a realistic plan shall be produced for how this is to be obtained.
2-1 (3) Infrastructure shall be adapted to the organisation and teaching and related to the programme of study objectives.
Technical and administrative services shall be adapted to the programme of study and the number of students.
Students shall be provided with adequate access to ICT resources.
Library services shall be readily accessible and commensurate with the academic content and level of the programme of study.
The institution shall provide appropriate premises for teaching purposes.
2-1 (4) The institution shall engage actively in international cooperation within subject areas of relevance to the programme of study.
2-1 (5) The institution shall have arrangements in place for internationalisation associated with the programme of study.
2-1 (6) The institution shall state how the programme of study is quality assured within the institution’s quality assurance system.
2-2 Standards and criteria for accreditation of programme of study at second degree level
2-2 (1) The programme of study shall conform to the Ministry’s Regulations relating to requirements regarding master’s degrees. 2-2 (2) A plan shall be available for each programme of study.
The programme of study shall have a representative name.
The plan shall state the subject area(s) and core subject area(s) of the programme of study.
The admission requirements shall be commensurate with the objectives, contents and level of the programme of study.
The objectives of the programme of study shall be stated explicitly. These objectives shall state the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students are to have acquired on completion of the programme of study, and the nature of the skills provided by the programme of study in relation to further studies and/or professional practice.
The plan shall set out the structure of the programme of study and its compulsory and elective components; its breadth and level of specialisation.
The syllabus and teaching shall be designed to provide students with skills in relation to the programme of study objectives.
The programme of study shall embody academic coherence and clear progression.
The programme of study shall provide knowledge and experience of applying scientific methodology.
The arrangements for examination and assessment shall be adapted to the teaching and academic supervision provided and shall be appropriate for attainment of the objectives of the programme of study.
Plans for and performance of any practical training shall be related to the objectives of the programme of study, the rest of the teaching and such skills as the students are to have acquired on completion of the programme of study.
2-2 (3) The institution shall maintain a stable body of academic staff assigned to the programme of study.
The size of the academic staff shall be stated in terms of full-time equivalents, and shall be adapted to the programme of study requirements for tuition and academic supervision, and the research-based and academic or artistic development work to be undertaken.
At least 50% of the academic staff assigned to the programme of study shall be employees with main posts (hovedstilling) at the institution.
At least 50% of the academic staff shall have associate professor/professor status (førstestillingskompetanse), of which at least 25% shall hold full professorships.
The institution shall have employees in main positions (hovedstilling) within the programme of study’s core subject area(s).
The academic staff shall be able to show documented results from research or academic/artistic development work and shall engage actively in academic networks.
For areas in which the institution requires supplementary competence, a realistic plan shall be produced for how this is to be obtained.
2-2 (4) Infrastructure shall be adapted to the organisation and style of teaching and related to objectives of the programme of study.
Technical and administrative services shall be adapted to the programme of study and the number of students.
Students shall be provided with adequate access to ICT resources.
Library services shall be readily accessible and commensurate with the academic content and level of the programme of study.
The institution shall provide appropriate premises for teaching and research purposes.
2-2 (5) The institution shall engage actively in international cooperation within subject areas of relevance to the programme of study.
2-2 (6) Arrangements for internationalisation on the programme of study must be in place.
2-2 (7) The institution shall state how the programme of study is quality assured within the institution’s quality assurance system.
2-3 Standards and criteria for accreditation of doctoral programmes and institution-based fellowship programmes for artistic development work
2-3 (1) A plan shall be available for the doctoral/fellowship programme.
Regulations shall be in place for the doctoral/fellowship programme.
The doctoral/fellowship programme shall have a representative name.
The plan shall demonstrate that the doctoral/fellowship programme possesses an adequate academic/artistic level, breadth and depth and coherence within its field.
The plan shall set out how the doctoral/fellowship programme is linked with subject areas/artistic subject areas with adequate breath and clear delineation from other subject areas/artistic subject areas
The plan shall demonstrate how the doctoral/fellowship programme is embedded in one or more core subject areas that are identifiable in an international context
The plan shall describe the doctoral/fellowship programme’s academic/artistic objectives and what the programme qualifies the student for.
The plan shall describe compulsory and elective components.
The plan shall state that the fellow’s work/project is incorporated in a wider academic context.
2-3 (2) The institution shall maintain a stable body of academic staff assigned to the doctoral/fellowship programme
The size of the academic staff shall be adapted to the teaching, academic supervision and the research/the artistic development work.
The academic staff shall engage in active research/artistic development work with proper academic breadth at a high international level.
The institution shall retain employees in main positions (hovedstilling) with qualifications within what are regarded as core subject areas for the doctoral/fellowship programme.
At least 50% of the academic staff assigned to the doctoral/fellowship programme shall hold full professorships; the remainder shall be associate professors (førsteamanuensis).
2-3 (3) Academic activities at the institution shall serve to support the doctoral/fellowship programme.
2-3 (4) The institution shall be actively engaged in national and international cooperation and in networks of relevance to the doctoral/fellowship programme.
2-3 (5) Infrastructure shall be adapted to the organisation and tuition and related to the doctoral/fellowship programme’s objectives.
Research fellows shall be provided with requisite and appropriate working conditions, e.g. office space/production premises, equipment, machinery and equipment.
Library services shall be readily accessible and commensurate with the academic content and level of the doctoral/fellowship programme.
Research fellows shall be provided with access to ICT services of adequate scope and quality.
Technical and administrative support services shall be satisfactory.
2-3 (6) The institution shall state how the doctoral/fellowship programme is quality assured within the institution’s quality assurance system.
2-4 Standards and criteria for accreditation of institutional participation in supra-institutional artistic fellowship programmes
2-4 (1) Regulations shall be in place for participation in the programme.
The organisation of participation in the programme, with roles and responsibilities assigned to the participating institution shall be described explicitly.
The institution’s and fellow’s rights and obligations shall be described explicitly.
2-4 (2) The institution shall maintain a stable body of academic staff assigned to the programme.
The institution shall have a relevant academic foundation within the subject areas in which they are participating in the programme.
The size of the academic staff shall be adapted to the teaching, academic supervision and the development work to be undertaken in order to maintain and improve the standard of artistic quality in connection with participation in the programme.
The institution shall engage in active artistic development activities with satisfactory breadth at a high international level associated with participation in the programme.
The institution shall retain employees in main positions (hovedstilling) with a high level of specialised art expertise within what are considered to be core subject areas associated with the institution’s participation in the programme. The majority of these shall have associate professor/professor status (førstestillingsnivå). These employees shall also be available to act as academic supervisors in the programme.
The institution shall demonstrate how the fellows’ participation in the programme is integrated within a discrete academic environment and academic development.
The institution shall engage actively in the compulsory common component of the programme.
The institution shall be in a position to offer its fellows requisite programme of study and other elective modules within their own specialisation.
2-4 (3) Academic activities at the institution shall serve to support participation in the programme.
2-4 (4) The institution shall be actively engaged in national and international cooperation and in networks of relevance to participation in the programme.
2-4 (5) Infrastructure shall be adapted to the nature of the programme and organisation and related to the programme objectives.
Fellows shall be provided with requisite and appropriate working conditions, e.g. office space/production premises, equipment, machinery and equipment.
Library services shall be readily accessible and commensurate with the academic content and level.
The fellows shall be provided with access to ICT services of adequate scope and quality.
Technical and administrative support services shall be adapted to participation in the programme.
2-4 (6) The institution shall state how its participation in the programme is quality assured within the institution’s quality assurance system.
2-5 Provisions concerning accreditation of programme of study components forming part of a joint degree.
The provisions apply to national and international joint degrees.
The terms prescribed in Section 4 of the Ministry’s Regulations must be met.
It shall be clearly stated which components of the programme of study each of the cooperating institutions is responsible for.
Routines shall be in place for development and quality assurance of the programme of study as a whole.
Any components offered by the Norwegian institution(s) shall meet the standards and criteria for the degree level.
All components of the programme of study shall constitute a whole entity, especially as regards the programme of study level and objectives.
Chapter 3 Supplementary criteria for accreditation of institutions The emboldened standards are cited from Ministerial Regulations no. 1040 of 8 September 2005 concerning accreditation, evaluation and recognition pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
3-1 Criteria for accreditation as a university college
3-1 a 1) The institution’s primary activity shall be higher education, research and academic or artistic development work and dissemination.
3-1 a 2) The institution’s organisation and infrastructure shall be adapted to its activities.
The institution shall retain staff, and possess equipment and premises adapted to its primary activity.
The institution shall have resources and facilities that enable it to provide satisfactory information, sound administrative student services and sound student welfare.
The institution shall have adequate and appropriate teaching premises, teaching equipment and workspaces for the students.
The institution shall develop its academic staff and teaching in line with the students’ needs and the subject’s national and international trends.
3-1 b) The institution shall engage in research and academic or artistic development activities related to its subject areas.
3-1 c) The institution shall have employees in teaching and research posts in key subject areas comprised by the programme of study.
3-1 d) 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 students in first degree students for at least two years.
3-1 e) The institution shall be affiliated with national and international networks in higher education, research or artistic development work.
The institution shall be able to demonstrate active participation in at least one national and one international cooperation project
3-1 f) The institution shall have a satisfactory academic library.
The institution shall have appropriate premises with workspaces, modern technology and qualified staff.
The institution shall have readily accessible relevant digital and analogue collections and/or services for students and scientific staff.
3-2 Criteria for accreditation as a specialised university institution
3-2 a 1) The institution’s primary activity shall be higher education, research and academic or artistic development work and dissemination.
3-2 a 2) The institution’s organisation and infrastructure shall be adapted to its activities.
The institution shall retain staff, and possess equipment and premises adapted to its primary activity.
The institution shall have resources and facilities that enable it to provide satisfactory information, sound administrative student services and sound student welfare.
The institution shall have adequate and appropriate teaching premises, teaching equipment and workspaces for the students.
The institution shall develop its academic staff and teaching in line with the students’ needs and the subject’s national and international trends.
3-2 b) The institution shall be engaged in research and academic or artistic development activities of a high standard related to its subject areas.
3-2 c) The institution shall have employees in teaching and research posts in key subject areas comprised by the programme of study.
3-2 d) The institution shall hold accreditation for at least one programme of study of at least five years’ duration, in total or as part an integrated programme, which grants the institution the independent right to award second degrees, and shall have conducted examinations of students in second degree students for at least two years.
3-2 e) 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.
Institutions offering doctoral degrees shall have a regular intake of students and shall have conducted examinations of candidates.
Institutions offering fellowship programmes for artistic development work shall have a regular intake ofstudents and shall have conducted examinations of candidates.
3-2 f) 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.
3-2 g) The institution shall have a satisfactory academic library.
The institution shall have appropriate premises with workspaces, modern technology and qualified staff.
The institution shall have readily accessible relevant digital and analogue collections and/or services for students and scientific staff.
3-3 Criteria for accreditation as a university
3-3 a 1) The institution’s primary activity shall be higher education, research and academic or artistic development work and dissemination.
3-3 a 2) The institution’s organisation and infrastructure shall be adapted to its activities.
The institution shall retain staff, and possess equipment and premises adapted to its primary activity.
The institution shall have resources and facilities that enable it to provide satisfactory information, sound administrative student services and sound student welfare.
The institution shall have adequate and appropriate teaching premises, teaching equipment and workspaces for the students.
The institution shall develop its academic staff and teaching in line with the students’ needs and the subject’s national and international trends.
3-3 b) The institution shall be engaged in research and academic or artistic development activities of a high standard related to its subject areas.
3-3 c) The institution shall have employees in teaching and research posts in key subject areas comprised by the programme of study.
3-3 d) The institution shall hold accreditation for at least five programme of study of at least five years’ duration, in total or as part of an 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 in students at first or second degree levels in the majority of these subject areas.
3-3 (e) 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, while 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.
Institutions offering doctoral degrees shall have a regular intake of students and shall have conducted examinations of candidates.
Institutions offering fellowship programmes for artistic development work shall have a regular intake of fellows and shall have conducted examinations of candidates.
3-3 f) 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 and any corresponding fellowship programmes for artistic development work.
3-3 g) The institution shall have a satisfactory academic library.
The institution shall have appropriate premises with workspaces, modern technology and qualified staff.
The institution shall have readily accessible relevant digital and analogue collections and/or services for students and scientific staff.
Chapter 4 Final provisions
4-1 Final provisions Regulations Relating to Criteria for Accreditation of Institutions and to Standards and Criteria for Accreditation of Course Provisions in Norwegian Higher Education of 5 May 2003, no. 651 are hereby repealed. The Regulations shall enter into force immediately.
