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NOKUT’s criteria for general recognition of foreign higher education

Recognition of foreign higher education as equivalent to accredited Norwegian higher education is regulated by the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges of April 1st 2005 (§ 3-4) and Regulation on quality assurance and quality development in higher education and tertiary vocational education (§ 6-1). (Hereafter referred to as “the regulation”)

Listed below are criteria that have to be met in order to have foreign higher education recognized as equivalent to Norwegian higher education. NOKUT is entitled to adjust the criteria.

1. Minimum requirements and scope

1.1 Minimum requirements for general recognition as equivalent to Norwegian higher education

  1. The education must be sufficiently documented from the educational institution or the educational authorities in the country of origin, cf. § 5-1 subsection 2 in the regulation.
  2. The educational programme must be accredited or officially recognized as higher education in the country of origin, cf. § 5-1 subsection 3 in the regulation.
    a. The education/qualification must be a part of the system of higher education in the country of origin.
    b. The educational institution must be officially recognized as self-accrediting at the relevant level, or the programme of study must have recognition/accreditation as higher education.
    c. NOKUT employs specific guidelines regarding countries without a system for official recognition of higher education.
  3. The educational programme must be at the same level as Norwegian higher education, cf. §5-1 subsection 1 of the regulation.
    a. A comparison of the systems of education in Norway and the country of origin will form the basis for decisions whether the criteria have been met.
    b. Significant differences between the systems of education in Norway and the country of origin may have as a result in that only parts of the foreign education is recognized as equivalent to Norwegian higher education. The list of requirements for Higher Education Entrance Qualification for applicants with foreign education - the GSU list is a guiding tool for deciding whether a full or partial recognition can be granted.
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1.2 Credit equivalence

When foreign higher education meets the criteria given for general recognition, the scope of the education will be stated in terms of credits, cf. § 5-1 subsection 1 of the regulation. The education will be on the basis of the time parity principle. This means that one year of standardized study time in the country of origin equals one year of standardized study time in Norway (60 credits).

Specification should be given as to whether the credits are at a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree level. The level is determined by whether the credits are part of a first cycle degree (giving access to a graduate degree), a second cycle degree (giving access to a doctoral degree), or a doctoral degree in the country of origin.

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2. General recognition as equivalent to Norwegian accredited degree

The criteria for recognition as equivalent to an accredited Norwegian degree are additional to the criteria for minimum requirements and equivalence in credits.

2.1 University College candidate degree

NOKUT can grant recognition of foreign qualification as equivalent to an accredited Norwegian University College Candidate degree if the education can be recognized as at least 2 years/120 credits of higher education in Norway. In addition, the foreign qualification must be a completed degree, or a completed programme of study in the country of origin.

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2.2 Bachelor’s degree

NOKUT can grant general recognition as equivalent to an accredited Norwegian bachelor’s degree if the qualification can be recognized as at least 3 years/180 credits of higher education in Norway. In addition, the foreign qualification must be a completed degree, or a completed programme of study in the country of origin.

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2.3 Master’s degree

NOKUT can grant recognition of a foreign qualification as equivalent to an accredited Norwegian master’s degree, pursuant to the Regulations for master’s degree, if it is a completed master’s degree or other graduate degree in addition to meeting one of the two following criteria:

The master’s degree programme has a scope of at least 120 credits/2 years of standardized study time, and comprises a thesis with a scope of at least 30 credits. Admission requirement for the programme is an qualification equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree.

The qualification is an integrated study programme with a scope recognizable as at least 300 credits/5 years of standardized study time, and comprises a thesis with a scope of at least 20 credits.

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2.4 Doctoral degree (PhD)

NOKUT can grant recognition of a foreign qualification as equivalent to an accredited Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) if it meets the following criteria:

  1. The education must be a completed and officially recognized doctoral degree achieved at an educational institution officially accredited/recognized to award doctoral degrees in the specific field of study. “Doctoral degree” is defined as research education in the educational system in the country in question (third level of the degree structure).
  2. The qualification must be a doctoral programme with a standardized scope of at least 3 years of study/180 credits. If the degree requirements include specific teaching or other duties, this should come in addition to the three standardized years.
  3. Admission requirement for the foreign doctoral degree must be a graduate degree (or an equivalent integrated programme of study). Effectively, the preceding higher education and the doctoral degree combined should be recognizable as 8 years higher education / 480 credits in Norway.
  4. Specific requirements are set for the content of the doctoral programme.
    a. The programme should include tuition/courses at a more advanced level.
    b. The programme should include a thesis based on an independent scientific work, not including any preceding education. The thesis workload should correspond to at least two years of standardized full time study (120 credits).
  5. The doctoral thesis must be assessed and approved by an expert committee.
  6. Documentation requirements:
    a. A completed copy of NOKUT’s application form together with certified copies of proof of identity and name change, if applicable.
    b. Copies of final diploma for the doctoral degree, and transcript of records or certificate of completed courses/supervision within the doctoral programme. (with authorized translations if applicable).
    c. Copies of final diplomas and transcripts of records for the education that gave admission to the Doctoral degree.
    d. An official description of the current doctoral degree regulations for the educational institution awarding the degree. (with authorized translations if applicable)
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3. Recognition of specific educational programmes

3.1 Postgraduate studies

NOKUT can grant recognition of foreign postgraduate studies as long as they are a part of the system of academic higher education in the country of origin.

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3.2 Distance learning and internet-based education

NOKUT can recognize a foreign qualification achieved through distance learning/internet-based education, provided that:

  • it is awarded by an accredited/recognized institution of higher education,
  • it is a part of the country’s educational system,
  • it has the same admission requirements, and grants the holder the same rights as campus-based qualifications,
  • it is subject to satisfactory quality assurance.
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3.3 Transnational education

Transnational education is a type of education where the student spends large parts of the stipulated study time in a country other than that which awards the degree. NOKUT can recognize this type of education when the institution awarding the degree is an accredited or officially recognized institution of higher education, and the transnational education is subject to satisfactory quality assurance, cf. Code of good practice in the provision of transnational education, UNESCO/European Council 2001.

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3.4 Special cooperation agreements between recognized and non-recognized institutions

NOKUT can determine specific guidelines for evaluation of education given by special cooperation agreements between accredited or officially recognized and non-recognized educational institutions, cf. criterion 1.1.2.

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