Higher education consists of courses at universities and
university colleges. Entrance to such institutions is normally gained on the
basis of upper secondary education. With
the exception of some private university colleges, all are state-run, but have
considerable academic and administrative autonomy.
Universities
University of Oslo –
which is the oldest and largest,
University of Bergen,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology in
Trondheim,
University of Tromsø,
University of
Stavanger,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
- at Ås.
Specialised University Institutions
Bergen
Norwegian School of Economics and Business
Administration
Oslo:
Norwegian Academy of Music
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
Norwegian School of Veterinary
Science
Oslo School of Architecture and Design
National Institutes of
the Arts
Bergen National
Academy of the Arts
Oslo National
Academy of the Arts
The
universities and university colleges of arts and sciences are all engaged in
both teaching and research. They offer first and second degree courses varying
from four to seven years and also doctoral programmes. Particular efforts are
currently being made to encourage students to register for courses in
mathematics, science and technology subjects.
The universities and specialised university institutions are
engaged in both teaching and research. They offer first and second degree
courses varying from four to seven years and also doctoral programmes.
Particular efforts are currently being made to encourage students to register
for courses in mathematics, science and technology subjects.
State University
Colleges
The aim of the state university colleges is to make higher education
more widely available while increasing the amount of academic expertise
available to the different regions of Norway. The 25 colleges primarily
offer shorter courses of a more vocational orientation than those offered by
the universities. Courses normally have a duration of two to four years. In
addition to teacher training and courses in engineering, health and social work
and other vocational courses of two to four years’ duration, the colleges offer
undergraduate courses interchangeable with those offered by the universities.
These make an important contribution to the decentralisation of higher
education. Many students combine courses at the colleges with courses at
universities. Some colleges now offer second degree courses. One of the
colleges has been given the right to grant doctorates. The university colleges
are also engaged in research and development work including development work
within the arts.
Nordic cooperation
The Reykjavik
Declaration is a Nordic Declaration on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning
Higher Education in the Nordic Region. The Nordic Ministers of
Education adapted this declaration in June 2004. The declaration
has replaced the Sigtuna Convention.
Last updated January
2006
