It is not possible to get formal, written advance approval guaranteeing recognition upon completion of your studies abroad. However, when you are planning studies abroad that are not part of an exchange program at a Norwegian higher education institution, you should check the following:
- The educational institution must be officially accredited/recognized.
- Exams taken at officially accredited/recognized institutions abroad are recognized by the time parity principle. This means that one year of full-time studies at university level abroad should be equal to one year of studies at a Norwegian institution (60 credits).
- Full time studies are defined as standardized study time (“full credit load”). At some universities abroad, one is considered a full time student even if one does not have full credit load. Should you take fewer credits than what is standard, you will normally get correspondingly fewer credits recognized in Norway.
- It is a prerequisite that the studies do not overlap with other previous subjects.
- Some professions are regulated in Norway. If you wish to embark on studies leading to a regulated profession, you should inquire about requirements for authorization/ professional recognition, before you start your studies. (For a list of regulated professions, please see INVIA)
If you are planning to take the whole degree abroad, and you wish to apply for a student loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, you will have to submit an application to them. NOKUT can act as an advisory body to the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund, but the request must then be put forward by them. The answer cannot be utilized by the individual applicant.
If you are planning to take parts of a degree abroad and you are already affiliated with a Norwegian educational institution, you should contact your institution for information about the possibility of credit transfer from your foreign education into the Norwegian programme. It is your responsibility to obtain information about the foreign institution, and course descriptions for the desired programme of study.