About the area of activity
There are several types of recognition schemes for foreign qualifications. The purpose of these is to quality assure overseas qualifications for the Norwegian labour market or for enrolment into further studies in Norway. NOKUT’s responsibility and tasks in this respect can be divided into two categories:
- NOKUT’s own recognition scheme and other recognition work
- An information centre that covers all existing agents with recognition or authorisation functions
Recognition work
NOKUT’s recognition work is partly concerned with processing applications for having foreign qualifications recognised as higher education in Norway and partly with various advisory and co-ordinating activities such as being a national hub for the European Enic/Naric networks.
- General recognition of foreign higher education qualifications
NOKUT processes applications from individuals for general recognition. We assess the level and extent of the qualification in relation to the Norwegian educational system without evaluating its academic contents. NOKUT has the authority to award study credits and years of study and may approve qualifications as equivalent to Norwegian degrees (the college candidate degree, bachelor, master and PhD degrees). NOKUT also assesses the authenticity of the qualification.
- National hub for the Enic/Naric networks
The hub function in these networks implies a responsibility for providing information about foreign educational systems in Norway and about the Norwegian educational system abroad. The national aspect involves the accreditation status of foreign educational institutions, the level and extent of foreign qualifications, the authenticity of qualifications and the co-ordination of recognition practices. The users are primarily universities and colleges of higher education, the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund and the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service.
NOKUT is also responsible for maintaining various databases and for keeping a list of requirements for general study qualifications for applicants with foreign qualifications (the GSU list). NOKUT also provides information about Norwegian accreditation schemes and the Norwegian educational system to international enquirers.
INVIA - Information Centre for the Recognition Systems of Foreign Educational Qualifications
NOKUT’s function in relation to the recognition of foreign qualifications in Norway was strengthened in 2009 through the establishment of an information centre that covers all recognition and authorisation authorities in Norway. The centre will be operative as from the spring of 2010 and is part of the authorities’ effort to introduce immigrants more quickly to the Norwegian labour market.
The information centre will serve as a joint public facility for NOKUT, colleges of higher education, universities and the recognition offices of various sector authorities. It shall provide information about the Norwegian recognition procedures, offer guidance and refer enquirers to the appropriate authority. Through its website, email, telephone and personal visits, the centre shall be a portal for anyone wishing to obtain recognition of a\ foreign. The centre will also be a point of contact for the EU directive on the recognition of professional qualifications for regulated professions.
The centre’s most important user groups will be persons seeking recognition of their foreign qualifications, employers and public services (The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, asylum holding centres, adult education providers etc).
Strategies for further development in the area
- More effective user service
NOKUT shall adapt its activities to deal with a significant increase in applications and other queries. This involves a range of streamlining measures, while maintaining acceptable service level vis-à-vis users. We shall ensure sufficient capacity for processing applications in a good, fair and quality-assured fashion within the requirements imposed by the Lisbon Convention with regards to processing times. NOKUT will also initiate a review with the aim of improving the so-called refugee procedure for refugees with higher qualifications but insufficient documentation.
- Improved information
NOKUT shall improve the level of information provided to applicants for general recognition and make NOKUT’s accreditation document better known in the labour market. Simultaneously we will build and further develop activities at the information centre in close co-operation with the various recognition institutions and important user groups.
- Further develop the guidance given to other parties
NOKUT shall further develop the GSU list and improve the user friendliness of our other databases. We will continue to prioritise queries from institutions requiring advice and assistance on their dealings with overseas qualifications. In light of the increasing number of applications and other queries in this field, we will work with the Ministry and the sector to review the need for and service level of our various co-ordinating and advisory activities.