About the Norwegian higher education system
The Norwegian higher education system consists of Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD structure following European standards. Tuition fees were introduced in 2023 for non-EU/EEA citizens. Grades mainly follow A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade. You can read in details about these topics below.
A brief history of the academic education system
Norway has eight accredited universities, five accredited specialized university institutions, seven accredited university colleges, one accredited national college of the arts, and several private institutions of higher education with either institutional or programme accreditation.
The Norwegian higher education system comprises all the institutions and/or accredited programmes. With the exception of some private university colleges, all higher education institutions are state-run. Generally, tuition is not required for study at Norwegian higher education institutions, although fees may be imposed for certain professional education programmes, further and special education programmes and studies at private institutions. Tuition was introduced for non-EU/EEA citizens in the fall of 2023. Further information, including exemptions, can be found on our webpage on tuition fees.
In addition to their teaching activities, all higher learning institutions, particularly universities, are responsible for conducting basic research and researcher training, primarily through graduate-level studies and doctoral degree programmes.
Since 2003, Norway has been following the objectives of the Bologna process in European higher education. Most of the elements have been implemented through the Quality Reform. Central to the reform has been implementing a 3 + 2 + 3-degree system with a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD structure following European standards.
With the introduction of the new degree system, it has become easier for students who complete all or part of their education in Norway to obtain recognition for their qualifications in other countries.
Credit system & course workload
The academic year normally runs from mid-August to mid-June and lasts 10 months. Courses are measured in “studiepoeng” according to the ECTS standard (European Credit Transfer System Credits). The full-time workload for one academic year is 1500-1800 hours of study / 60 ECTS.
Grade conversions - exchange students at INN University
We do not convert grades given by INN University into the grading systems of other institutions. Students who need this must request it from their home institutions.
Grade conversions - INN University students going abroad
INN University does not convert grades from courses abroad (exchange semester(s)) to the Norwegian grading system. Such courses are only registered with the number of credits and "passed".
Diploma & Diploma Supplement
INN University issues a Diploma and a Diploma Supplement automatically and free of charge to all students awarded a full degree. Students completing an English degree will receive both versions in English. However, students taking a Norwegian degree will get their main Diploma in Norwegian, with an English Diploma Supplement. INN University does not translate Norwegian diplomas into English. Students in need of this must go to proper translation businesses or others.
What is the diploma supplement?
The Diploma Supplement is built on a model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. It aims to provide sufficient independent data to improve international transparency and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates, etc.). It is designed to describe the nature, level, context, content, and status of the studies pursued and completed by the individual named on the original qualification to which the supplement is appended.
INN University issues a Diploma Supplement automatically and free of charge to all students awarded a full degree. However, students taking a Norwegian degree will get their main Diploma in Norwegian, with an English Diploma Supplement.
Grades and criteria
Undergraduate and postgraduate examinations are graded from A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade. A pass/fail mark is given for some examinations.
INN University does not transfer grades from our grading system to any other one. The graded scale has the following qualitative descriptions:
- A - Excellent
- An excellent performance, clearly outstanding. The candidate demonstrates excellent judgement and a high degree of independent thinking.
- B - Very good
- A very good performance. The candidate demonstrates sound judgment and a very good degree of independent thinking.
- C - Good
- A good performance in most areas. The candidate demonstrates a reasonable degree of judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas.
- D - Satisfactory
- A satisfactory performance, but with significant shortcomings. The candidate demonstrates a limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.
- E - Sufficient
- A performance that meets the minimum criteria, but no more. The candidate demonstrates a very limited degree of judgement and independent thinking.
- F - Fail
- A performance that does not meet the minimum academic criteria. The candidate demonstrates an absence of both judgment and independent thinking.
Contact the International Office
Each campus has specific employees in charge of incoming and outgoing mobility.
Please see our webpage for an overview of all employees working with international mobility.