Norwegian children start school the year they turn six. Compulsory school is 10 years, the first 7 years in primary school, the 3 last ones in lower secondary school.

| Primary/lower secondary school for adults | Primary/lower secondary school for youth |
| Financial support |

Primary and lower secondary school is free and compulsory. Parents of children that are 6 years or older, must enroll their children in school. If you are a newcomer in Oslo and have children that are ready to start,contact the primary school where you live. A number of schools have special classes (reception classes) for newly arrived children who do not speak Norwegian. The school will organise a place in such a class if necessary.

An overview of primary schools and lower secondary schools in Oslo can be found here.

In Oslo, the Eduaction Authority (Utdanningsetaten) is responsible for primary and lower secondary education. You can contact them on telephone number 23 46 70 70 if you have any questions.

Primary/lower secondary school for adults
In primary/lower secondary school for adults you will learn Norwegian, English and mathematics. You must also choose two of the following three subjects: natural sciences, social sciences or religion. The training may take 2 or 3 years. Students with little educational background may ned a preparatory course. Final exams (grunnskoleeksamen) will be in 5 subjects, both written and oral exams in Norwegian language and English, only written exam in mathematics. In addition you need to sit for the oral examination in two chosen subjects.

When you have completed the course you will receive a Diploma that is equivalent to the Diploma of primary and lower secondary training. With this diploma, you can apply to upper secondary school (videregående skole).

If you have completed training in some of the above subjects in your home country, you can sit for an interview and have your skills and knowledge evaluated. This is called realkompetansevurdering. Read more about it here.

If you have applied for classes in upper secondary school for adults and you need to do a course in English language on a lower level, you can ask to follow a basic course in Oslo voksenopplæring Sinsen (Oslo Adult Education) before learning English on upper secondary level.

To apply to primary and lower secondary training for adults, you must be 16 years or older, and you must live in Oslo (i.e. have a permanent address in the city).

In Oslo, the following school offers compulsory education courses for adults:

Oslo Voksenopplæring Sinsen Adult Education Centre
(Oslo Adult Education)
Oslo VO Sinsen offers both daytime and evening classes for students taking primary school classes in 2 years. Those who will need 3 years, will start classes in Oslo VO Rosenhof. Preparatory courses areffered both in Oslo VO Rosenhof, Smedstua and Skullerud.

The deadline for application is 1 April. You can download the application form here.

Address:
Oslo Voksenopplæring Sinsen
Lørenveien 11,
0585 Oslo
Telephone: 22 46 67 00
E-mail: sinsen@oslovo.no
Web: www.oslovo.no

Primary/lower secondary school examination for youth
Youth between 16 and 20 years who have not completed 10 years of basic schooling in their home countries, can attend special classes for youth in one of the schools below. Basic skills in written and spoken Norwegian is necessary. On completion, you can apply for upper secondary school courses through the Education Authorities (Utdanningsetaten) in Oslo.

Subjects are Norwegian, mathematics, English, social science and natural science.

Holtet videregående skole
Street address: Ekebergveien 124,1178 Oslo
Postal address: Postboks 56 Bekkelagshøgda, 1109 Oslo
Telephone: 23 16 51 70
E-mail: postmottak.holtet@vgs.skoleetaten.oslo.no
Web: www.holtet.vgs.no

Sogn videregående skole
Besøksadresse: Sognsveien 80, 0855 Oslo
Postal address: Postboks 3855, Ullevål stadion, 0805 Oslo
Tlf: 23 46 57 00
Fax: 23 46 57 01
E-mail: Sognvgs@ude.oslo.kommune.no
Web: www.sogn.vgs.no

Sofienberg tekniske fagskole
Trondheimsveien 48, 0560 Oslo
Telephone (switchboard): 23 46 41 00 - fax: 23 46 41 01
Primary school department: 22 35 33 20
Web: www.sofie-tf.vgs.no

Grant and loan for adults in primary/lower secondary training
Adults who are 16 years or older can apply for a grant and loan from the State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen). You apply for a loan, and when you complete and pass your exams, 40% of the loan will be converted into grant money. A grant is money you do not pay back, while the loan must be paid back when you have completed.

If you have children, you can apply for a supplementary grants for providers.

The school you are attending can give more information, or check Lånekassen's website, www.lanekassen.no .

For more information on primary and secondary school, read the website of the Ministry of Education and Research here.

Last modified 16/03/2006