11 - Norway - Curriculum
Academic freedom is seen as essential to a sound functioning of the higher education system. The Act
on Universities and University Colleges clearly states that the institutions cannot be instructed as to
the content of their teaching, research, or artistic/scientific development work. Within the limits laid
down by law, the universities and university colleges are free to develop new subjects, disciplines, and
programmes.
At all Norwegian higher education institutions, the workload of studies for the students is indicated in
credits. 60 Norwegian credits (ECTS credits) correspond to one year of full-time studies.
The choice of teaching methods (lectures, seminars, paper and/or thesis writing, laboratory training,
etc.) and the number of teaching hours per week are factors that vary according to
subject/level/institution; they are decided by the institutions themselves. Detailed curricula and
subject/discipline design are likewise decided by the institutions, subject to peer review of academic
content through the sub-committees of the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions.
Such information is found in student guides or 'study catalogues' which are available on institutions’
web sites or on request from the individual institutions. This information is therefore not systematically
available at a national level.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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