1. Higher Education and Research in Norway - a brief jog through the landscape... Olve Sørensen

2. 2 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Norway Key figures: –Population 5 mill (as of March 2012) –Unemployment 2,7% –GNP per capita 549 253 NOK/91 238 USD –Unitary state –19 Counties –430 Municipalities –Length North-South 1752 km

3. 3 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Torbjørn Vagstein/MFA Picture is for illustrative purposes only

4. 4 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Higher Education Institutions (autumn 2011) 8 universities 9 specialised university institutions, of which 3 private HEIs 2 academies of the arts 20 university colleges 31 private HEIs 24 receive state funding The Police Academy and 5 military academies (under other Ministries)

5. 5 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Independence Public Higher Education in Norway is a State responsibility and state owned 23,4 billion NOK (2010) to Higher Education 5,5% of GDP is spent on education (OECD average 5,7%). Law on Universities and University Colleges –Passed on 1 July 2005 –Covers public and private institutions –Guarantees institutional autonomy –Introduces a national organ of accreditation and quality assurance (NOKUT)

6. 6 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Students and staff in Higher Education (autumn 2011) StudentsStaff Total229 33932 093 Universities 101 67720 580 Specialized university institutions (state) 8 6001 480 National Academies of the Arts 816*270 State University colleges 86 8728 060 Private HEIs 316711 703

7. 7 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Key data – higher education 36% (OECD average 28%) of the population has attained tertiary education 60,9% (2009) of all registered students are women Registered students (2009) by field of study

8. 8 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Financial conditions for students Tuition is free in public higher education Students (Norwegian and some foreign!) are entitled to support through the State Educational Loan Fund –Basic support: NOK 90 800 (appr. 11 800) for 2011–2012 to cover accommodation, subsistence and study materials. Extra support for travels and students with children. –Support is not dependent on parents income –The basic support is initially given as loans. However, up to 40 percent may be converted to a grant for students who live away from their parents and who pass their exams –International portability of loans and grants, incl. extra support to cover travel and tuitions

9. 9 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research 4 basic tools of governance Rule of Law – legislation as a regulatory tool Money talks - the budget as a regulatory tool Talking sense – institutional conferences as a regulatory tool If all else fails… – ownership as a regulatory tool

10. 10 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Main academic features (III) Wide decision-making powers in establishing and terminating study programmes: –Accredited universities have full freedom to decide what degree programmes they want to offer. –Other accredited institutions have the same freedom in fields in which they are authorised to award doctoral degrees. In the remaining fields, the freedom of decision-making is limited to provision at the bachelors level. –Non-accredited private institutions need programme by programme accreditation.

11. 11 Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research Boa viagem! Hamarøy fyr. Photo: Karin Beate Nøsterud/norden.org