All children between 6 and 19 of age have a right to 13 years of education, including 10 years of compulsory education and 3 years of upper secondary school.

The majority of upper secondary pupils continue their education after graduation.

There are specific requirements for most jobs on the Norwegian job market. Professional training can be undertaken at university and/or college level, while a number of vocational courses are found on secondary school level. You can also document skills obtained outside the formal education system through assessment of non-formal skills. Read more about it here.

You can read more about upper secondary school here.

Adults born before 1.1.1978, and who have completed basic education (approx. 10 years) or equivalent training, now have a right to complete upper secondary school. Read about Oslo Adult Education here.

Reforming the education system: What is Knowledge Promotion?
Knowledge Promotion is the latest reform in primary and lower secondary education. It introduces certain changes in content and structure, from the first grade of primary school to the last grade at upper secondary school – 13 grades in all. Knowledge Promotion, with its special emphasis on learning, is meant to help ensure that all pupils receive a differentiated education.

The reform takes effect in autumn 2006 for pupils in grades 1-9 in primary and lower secondary school, and for pupils in the first year of upper secondary school (i.e. the 11th grade). For detailed information on the reform in upper secondary school, click here.

Click here if you want to know more about primary and lower secondary education.

Click here to read about the higher education system in Norway.

Information on loans and scholarships: click here.

Last modified 04/06/2009