GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY STUDY IN NORWAY. GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION STUDYINNORWAY.NO

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1 STUDY IN NORWAY. GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION STUDYINNORWAY.NO

2 FACTS ABOUT NORWAY OFFICIAL NAME: The Kingdom of Norway LOCATION: Northern Europe with borders to Finland, Sweden, Russia, the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean AREA: The Kingdom of Norway: 385,186 km 2 MAINLAND: 323,787 km 2 WELCOME TO NORWAY. SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN: 61,399 km 2 LENGTH OF COASTLINE: 25,148 km, including fjords LARGEST LAKE: Mjøsa, 362 km 2 HIGHEST MOUNTAIN: Galdhøpiggen, 2,469 m POPULATION: ( ) CAPITAL CITY: Oslo GOVERNMENT: Constitutional monarchy LANGUAGE: Norwegian Bokmål and Nynorsk and in some districts also Sámi MONETARY UNIT: Norwegian kroner, NOK TERRAIN: 44 National Parks and 11 glaciers NATURAL RESOURCES: Petroleum, copper, natural gas, fish, timber, hydropower π π High academic quality, education for all, a peaceful society, English taught degree programmes and an attractive lifestyle. These are key phrases used by international students studying in Norway and it is all true. This brochure tells you more about the Norwegian education system and the Norwegian way of life. At studyinnorway.no you will find more detailed information on higher education institutions and degrees offered. An international students once stated that Norway is the best place in the World. We agree at least Norway is often found at the very top of UN s annual rankings of global wealth, health and education. Now we urge you to seize the opportunity come and live the Study in Norway- experience yourself! STUDYINNORWAY.NO Source: Statistics Norway

3 04-05 STUDY IN NORWAY Education for all is the basic principle of the Norwegian educational system. According to the law, every child is ensured a minimum of 13 years education, regardless of social or cultural background and possible special needs. The Ministry of Education and Research is determined to make the Norwegian educational system one of the best in the world, based on a framework of lifelong learning. Compulsory schooling in Norway is ten years, and children start school at the age of six. Everyone between the age of 16 and 19 has a statutory right to three years upper secondary education qualifying either for higher education or leading to vocational qualifications. HIGHER EDUCATION Norway has a variety of higher education institutions, from universities and university colleges to specialised universities, private institutions and national institutes of the arts. The Norwegian institutions are listed at studyinnorway.no. All higher education institutions are public and owned by the state, with the exception of the private university colleges. Norway has adapted to the objectives of the Bologna process in European higher education. A central issue has been the implementation of a degree system with Bachelor, Master and PhD structures following European standards. This makes it possible for students who complete all or part of their education in Norway to obtain recognition for their qualifications in other countries. In addition to the diploma, the student will also receive a Diploma Supplement (DS) from their Norwegian institution. The DS gives a supplementary description of the qualification obtained with a view to ensuring international transparency. European students who already have a DS from their home institution are advised to include this document in their application to study in Norway. Bachelor, Master and PhD The Bachelor s degree is obtained after three years of study. THE BEST THING ABOUT NORWAY? THE PEOPLE AND THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRY EXCHANGE STUDENT, CANADA The Master s degree is obtained after one to two years of study. Independent research forms an important part of this degree. You will find an overview of degrees taught in English at studyinnorway.no. Various professional qualifications are awarded by all the state higher education institutions and a number of the private higher education institutions. These degrees are of four to six years duration and cover both regulated and non-regulated professions. The Doctoral Degree (PhD) is awarded after three years of study following completion of a Master s degree or a professional degree. Doctoral programmes, which are essentially research programmes, are offered by all university-level institutions, some state university colleges and a few private institutions.

4 06-07 Credit system and Grading The academic year normally runs from mid-august to mid-june and lasts for ten months. Courses are measured in credits according to the ECTS standard (European Credit Transfer System). The full-time workload for one academic year is 60 ECTS credits. Grades for undergraduate, graduate 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. RESEARCH Through internationalisation, basic research and innovation, Norway seeks to become a leading nation within research. The Research Council of Norway (RCN) plays a vital role in developing and implementing national priorities and strategies concerning research. The RCN acts as a government adviser and provides funding for independent research as well as for research programmes and Norwegian participation in international research. You will find more information concerning research at NORWAY GAVE ME THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE! EXCHANGE STUDENT, BRAZIL APPLICATION AND ADMISSION Bachelor: Completion of advanced secondary education, equivalent to the level of Norwegian upper secondary school, is the basic requirement for entry to Norwegian universities and university colleges. Note that entry requirements will vary depending on your home country. Master: Applicants for Master programmes have normally obtained an undergraduate/bachelor s degree or equivalent of at least 3 years duration. The completed degree must include courses equal to at least 1 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to the programme applied for. PhD: In Norway, PhD candidates are considered employees and are paid a salary. For vacant PhD positions, go to euraxess.no. See studyinnorway.no for information on programmes in English and admission and language requirements. EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES AND SCHOLARSHIPS All Norwegian higher education institutions have exchange agreements with institutions all over the world. If you would like to enrol on an exchange programme and study for part of your degree at a Norwegian university or university college, we recommend that you start by contacting the International Office at your home university. You can enrol on an exchange programme at any stage of your education: Bachelor, Master or PhD level. As an exchange student, you can expect to receive administrative support both from your home institution and from the Norwegian institution. In some cases you will also receive a grant. You may also be eligible for a scholarship. For more information concerning exchange programmes and scholarships, please go to studyinnorway.no/scholarshipsandexchange.

5 08-09 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS If you want to obtain your full degree in Norway, you can choose between more than 200 Master s degrees taught in English as well as a small number of Bachelor s degrees. Of course, you can also apply for programmes where the tuition language is Norwegian. Both options require a certain level of language proficiency. Courses offered to exchange students are normally given in English. However, language requirements may vary. Students fulfilling one of the following requirements may be exempted from the English language test: I LOVE NORWAY, TAKE ME BACK! BACHELOR STUDENT, RUSSIA Applicants from countries which are members of the EU/EEA and/or the Council of Europe/UNESCO-Cepes, and who studied English as their first foreign language over a period of minimum 7 years at compulsory/upper secondary school. The applicants must be able to document this or provide proof of having taken a recognised examination/test. In exceptional cases applicants may provide proof of English proficiency in other ways. Applicants who have obtained a Bachelor s degree with English as the language of instruction. Applicants who have passed an A-level examination in English. For more information on requirements for proficiency in both English and Norwegian, please visit studyinnorway.no/languagerequirements. STUDY PERMIT If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA and wish to study in Norway, you must always apply for a student residence permit, also known as a study permit. If you are from the EU/EEA and are staying longer than 90 days, you need to register as a student. You may register after you have arrived in the country. General student requirements You must pay an application fee. You must have received an offer of admission to a study programme at a university college or university. The course must be full-time. THE PEACEFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS VERY ATTRACTIVE. MASTER STUDENT, ETHIOPIA You must have enough money to subsist on during the study period. If you have to pay tuition fees, you must also have money to cover this. You must have somewhere to live. The circumstances in your home country must be such that it is likely that you can return home when you have completed your studies. Please note that this information only covers the general rules. For complete information please visit ACADEMIC CULTURE Egalitarian values are a cornerstone of Norwegian culture, also when it comes to education. Everyone is welcome as a student in Norway, as long as they fulfil the requirements and have the requisite language skills. As a student in Norway, you will be expected to develop your own critical thinking and work independently. The relationship between lecturer and students is informal, defined by common goals and mutual respect. Asking questions and discussing during class are considered positive contributions. Approaching the lecturer about academic matters also outside the lecture hall should be no problem. Engaging in both academic and social life throughout your stay in Norway will give you a lot of advantages. Not only will you get to know your Norwegian fellow students; you will also gain in-depth knowledge of Norwegian culture and thus benefit even more from your stay.

6 GUIDE TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY LEARN. EXPERIENCE.

7 12-13 LIVING IN NORWAY Norway has a population of 5 million and one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The country has been recognised as the best country in which to live several times by the United Nations Human Development Report. Equal rights and gender equality are values highly respected by most Norwegians. The Norwegian welfare state was developed after World War II, and several decades later there is still consensus amongst Norwegian politicians on its merits. The main official language in Norway is Norwegian. However, if you speak English you should have no problem. Children start learning English at school from the age of six, and you will find that all foreign films and television series are subtitled rather than dubbed. STUDENT LIFE The number of foreign students in Norway is growing, but there is plenty of room for more! The universities and university colleges focus on making international students feel welcome during their stay, and often arrange activities for international students when they arrive. I STUDY PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY. NORWAY IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THIS AREA, AND I INTEND TO WORK IN NORWAY AFTER I FINISH MY DEGREE. EXCHANGE STUDENT, BRAZIL It is also worth noting that all education institutions will have a number of student associations. You will find associations dedicated to sports, music, debating and much more. Seize this opportunity to get to know students from other courses and make memories for life! Many students wish to get a part time job. If you are granted a study permit, you are also granted permission to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week in addition to your studies and full-time during holidays. If you are an EU/EEA national, there is no limit on working hours.

8 MEMORIZE. MEMORIES. LEISURE ACTIVITIES Most Norwegians love outdoor life, and some of the world s most extreme sports can be tried here. Climbing, rafting, skiing, mountain biking, fishing, scuba diving and hunting are all popular activities. The vast areas of unspoiled nature provide unique opportunities for pure enjoyment. Try climbing one of the many mountains, enjoy a canoe trip on the fjords, or simply take pleasure in a quiet walk in the untouched mountains. Although Norwegians like to think of themselves as sporty, it is not all hiking, biking and skiing. There are plenty of clubs, bars, cinemas and theatres to choose from in Norway. World famous bands and artists visit Norway on a regular basis. You can also choose from a wide variety of exotic restaurants in addition to the traditional Norwegian menus. IT WAS COLDER THAN I EXPECTED. HIGHER PRICES THAN I EXPECTED. MORE MODERN SOCIETY THAN I EXPECTED. BETTER EDUCATION THAN I EXPECTED. EXCHANGE STUDENT, SPAIN

9 STUDYINNORWAY.NO π π π π Published by The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) 03/2015 Concept and Design: Cobra Photos: Paul Sigve Amundsen, Sverre Hjørnevik, Marte Rognerud