Degrees/Diplomas

Norwegian diplomas do not correspond to the Anglo-Saxon system, therefore it can cause problems when it comes to diploma equivalencies.

The first diploma awarded at Norwegian universities is the cand.mag (candidatus/a magisterii). This diploma takes seven to eight years of studies after the semesters of obligatory preparation for foreign students. For Arts and Social Science degrees, the students must pass exams on the major and minor subjects: two gruunfag and one mellomfag. For Science and Mathematics degrees, students must take classes which come to a total of 195 ECTS credits of which 95 of them are related to the principal subject.

The second level of studies is awarded by a cand.philo. (candidatus/a philosophiae), cand.poli. (canditatus/a rerum politicarum), and cand.scient. (candidatus/a scientiarum), the terminology depends on the area of the studies. The teaching consists of an indepth knowledge acquired in the cand.mag. For Arts and Social Sciences degrees, the number of places is limited and students are chosen in relation to their grades received for the cand.mag. Four to five semesters after the cand.mag are required to qualify for this diploma and for Mathematics and Science degrees requires three to four semesters. At this level of studies research must be carried out on a specified subject and a thesis must be written under the direction of an academic supervisor.

The Doctorat is the third level of studies that exists in Norway but it is not accessible to foreign students, but there are some exceptions.

On the other hand, it is possible to follow an MBA at the university as well as at the School of Economic and Business Administration of Norway in Bergen and at the BI Norwegian Business School, two schools renowned at the international level.

It is equally possible to receive a diploma for the completion of one year of language classes. A Scandinavian course study is also offered and permits the possibility of receiving a special diploma.