Organization

Norway has four state universities in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromso. In addition to these establishments, there are colleges that offer professional education. These institutions are accessible after having successfully passed the secondary education diploma. They offer specialized education for a duration of two or four years in the areas of sciences, business, journalism, architecture, social sciences, agriculture, etc...

University calendar: the academic year is divided in two semesters: the fall (autumn) semester is from August to December and the spring semester is from January to June.

The Norwegian education system does not correspond to the Anglo-Saxon system. For a description of the university diplomas refer to the heading "Degrees / diplomas". However, the Norwegian universities offer "profession" diplomas: profesjonsstudier in the areas of theology, law, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, psychology, pedagogy and economics. These courses directly lead to a profession in Norway and are for this reason not open to foreign students. The subject areas of psychology, pedagogy, and economics are equally taught in the framework of university courses which are accessible to foreigners.