Education in Norway

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• The level of education is high, 35 % of the population has education
on university or university college level
• Education is free and mandatory between the age of 6 and 16
• Between 16 and 19 the youth has a legislated right to education
(upper secondary school)
• Public universities and university colleges are receiving grants from
the government. The students only pay a small fee per semester
The University of Oslo: kr 860,-/semester, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU: kr 600,-/semester)
The school system
• The primary level
‒ Lower primary level, grades 1-4 (age 6 to 10)
‒ Upper primary level, grades 5-7 (age 10 to 12)
• Lower secondary school
‒ Grades 8-10 (age 12 to 15)
• Upper secondary school
‒ Grades 1 to 3
‒ Programme for General Studies
‒ Vocational education programme
The vocational education programme
• 10 vocational education programmes
‒ Agriculture, fishing and forestry
‒ Building and construction
‒ Crafts, design and product development
‒ Electrical engineering and computer technology
‒ Hairdressing, floral, interior and retail design
‒ Healthcare, childhood and youth development
‒ Information technology and media production
‒ Restaurant and food processing
‒ Sales, service and tourism
‒ Technological and industrial production

• Supplementary programme for general university admissions certification

‒ You may apply after 2 years in a vocational education programme or after you have achieved vocational competence

• Basic competence
‒ For students who for different reasons have problems completing a full education.
Changes caused by the pandemic
• Lack of belonging in professional and social communities
• More loneliness and impaired mental health
• Less motivation and mastering

• Some are affected harder than others

‒ Reduced extent and quality in special needs education
‒ Fewer hours for special language training (training in Norwegian for immigrants)
‒ More difficulties starting school
‒ Demanding transitions between levels
‒ Less practical training in the vocational education programme