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 A common phrase describing the education system in Norway is “education for all.”  Everyone is granted the right to an equal education, despite social, cultural, or location differences.  Norwegian policy requires 10 years compulsory education for all children.  The country established a nationally unified school system, and this created a common standard among the different schools all over the country.  Also, the schools must abide by a national curriculum to ensure that these standards are met.  Classes run from August to June, and they are taught in Norwegian.  The levels of education in Norway can be divided into the following:  primary, secondary, and higher education.  Only primary and lower secondary education is required in Norway, and both are free.
    
 Primary education (called Grunnskole or Barnetrinnet) in Norway lasts for seven years, from ages 6 to 13.  There are about 20 kids in every primary school class.  The individual municipalities operate these schools along with the lower secondary schools, while abiding by national standards.  Lower secondary education (called Grunnskole or Ungdomstrinnet) lasts for three years, from ages 13 to 16.  Overall, there are about 3000 primary and lower secondary schools in Norway.  Because both of these systems are required for all children, the schools must teach the national curriculum.  The following courses are required by all primary and secondary schools: 

         ·    Christian knowledge, religion, and ethics
        ·    Norwegian
        ·    Mathmatics
        ·    Social Studies
        ·    Arts and Crafts
        ·    Science and the Environment
        ·    English
        ·    Music
        ·    Home Economics
        ·    Physical Education
        ·    Other:  either another foreign language or practical project

The upper secondary education (called Videregående Skole) lasts for an additional 3 years, from ages 16 to 19, and this is optional.  There are over 500 upper secondary schools in Norway, and they teach both theoretical and vocational courses.  In the schools, there are 15 different areas of study, including the following:  general business and administration, music and dance, agriculture and fishing, electrical trades, and chemical and processing trades. 

Higher education is also not required, and admission is based upon completion of the upper secondary curriculum.  There are many options in Norway for higher education:  6 universities, 6 specializied university institutions, 24 university colleges, 2 national colleges of the arts, and 30 private institutions of higher learning.  Several degrees are possible, including 1 tier master degrees (5 years), bachelor (3 years), masters (2 years), professional oriented degree/qualifications (4-6 years) and Ph. D (additional 3 years). 

Map of Universities in Norway


References

Frones, Ivar.  1997.  “The Transformation of Childhood:  Children and Families in Postwar Norway.”  Acta Sociologica 40:  17-28.

Jensen, An-Magritt, Anne Trine Kjorholt, Jens Qvortrup, Mona Sandbaek, Vegard Johansen, and Tonje Lauritzen.  2004.  “Childhood and Generation in Norway.”  Children’s Welfare in Ageing Europe.  Vol.1:335-402.   Trondheim, Norway:  Norwegian Centre for Child Research. 

National Academic Information Centre (NAIC).  2002.  “Structure of Education System in Norway.”  Retrieved April 24, 2006 (http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/norco.htm). 

Norway:  The Official Site in the UK.  2006.  “Education in Norway.”  Retrieved April 24, 2006 (http://www.norway.org.uk/education/education/general/mariannetest.htm). 

United States Embassy, Norway.  2006.  “Norway-Education.”  Retrieved April 24, 2006 (http://www.usa.no/norway/education.html).