Norway: Introduction to Norway: Education

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Introduction to Norway:

Introduction

Geography and topography

The general level of education is high in Norway. According to figures from 2001, 87 per cent of all people over the age of 16 have completed primary and lower secondary schooling, 56 per cent have completed upper secondary schooling, and 22 per cent have completed higher education programmes. 900,000 of Norway’s 4.6 million inhabitants are currently undergoing education. The total expenditure education in Norway comprises 6.6 per cent of the gross domestic product, compared to an OECD average of 4.9 per cent.

Over 500,000 pupils are enrolled in public primary and lower secondary schools in Norway. In addition, there are 12,000 pupils enrolled in private schools at this level. This represents the largest enrolment in primary and lower secondary schools ever recorded in Norway.

(Royal Ministry of Education & Research)

A reform of primary and lower secondary education in the Autumn of 1997 introduced compulsory schooling for all children from the year in which they reached six years of age, and primary and lower secondary education was extended to 10 years. A new national curriculum was also developed in connection with the reform of primary and lower secondary education. Responsibility for the running and administration of primary and lower secondary schools rests with the municipalities.

Boy in schoolyard (Photo: Roar Ohlander)

In 2004 there were approximately 180,000 students enrolled at state institutions of higher education, or in programmes receiving government support at private higher education institutions. Each year, 15,000 Norwegian students receive support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund to pursue their degrees abroad. 5,500 Norwegian students receive support to pursue part of an educational degree abroad, or to participate in international student exchange programmes.

Norway has 38 state-run institutions of higher education and a number of private institutions. The Norwegian institutions of higher education can be divided into two sectors: the University sector and the College sector.

The universities carry out research and offer university-level instruction at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels, leading to academic degrees. They provide research-based education that combines scholastic breadth and high educational standards within a full range of disciplines. The universities also have special responsibility for graduate and research training and for basic research.

The colleges offer programmes lasting from 1 to 4 years. Most programmes are profession-specific, their graduates becoming professional or para-professional personnel in areas such as teaching, engineering, social work, health services, administration, economics, journalism, etc.

The state colleges are also involved in extensive research and development work, and most undergraduate programmes offered by state colleges can easily be transferred to undergraduate degree programmes at universities.

Foreign students are admitted to universities and other institutions of higher education in Norway mainly through international programmes and bilateral agreements with comparable institutions abroad. No tuition fees are charged at any of the Norwegian universities, except special programmes and private and specialised schools. At all public institutions in Norway, higher education is free for international students as well as for Norwegian nationals.