03 - Norway - Specific legislative framework
The Act of 1 April 2005 No 15 on Universities and University Colleges is common to all higher
education institutions, both public (state) and private institutions.
Because of the Quality Reform, the 1995 Universities and University Colleges Act was changed
considerably. The revised act entered into force on 1 July 2002 and 1 January 2003. The legislation
was changed considerably as part of the Quality Reform, and The main changes, now part of the 2005
Act, were:
● The institutions are no longer mentioned by name, but by categories: universities, specialised
university institutions and university colleges.
● Institutions can change category if certain conditions are met, for example from university
college to university.
● Private institutions can apply for status as 'accredited institution' belonging to the categories
mentioned in 1.
● The institutions must have satisfactory systems for internal quality assurance.
● The act introduces an independent (from the ministry and the institutions) governmental
agency for accreditation and evaluation, NOKUT.
● The board is made responsible for the physical and psychological learning environment
ensuring the health, security and welfare of the students.
● The academic year is stipulated to be 10 months.
● Full time study for one academic year is normally awarded 60 credits (based on the ECTS).
● Students admitted for study programmes of more than 60 credits will have a mutual and
formal agreement with the institution outlining the responsibilities and duties of both parties.
● Recognition of degree or periods of study from institutions not covered by the act is shared
between the institutions and NOKUT (the new independent governmental agency).
● The grading scale is unified and corresponds to the ECTS grading scale, from A (best) to E
(pass) and F (failed).
● Issuing 'Diploma Supplement' is mandatory.
In 2007 the 2005 Act was amended in order to include a statutory regulation of individual academic
rights.
The legislation on loans and grants to students, starting with the establishment of the State
Educational Loan Fund in 1947, has been of vital importance for the recruitment to higher education.
The act currently in force is Act of 3 June 2005 No 37. The organisation of student welfare (i.e. student
housing, canteens, day-care institutions) is also important for the recruitment to higher education, and
the latest legislation in this field is Act of 14 December 2007 No 116 (this Act came into force 1 August
2008).
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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