NOKUT is the controlling authority for educational activity at all Norwegian universities, special field universities, university colleges and institutions with single accredited higher education programmes. Through an evaluation procedure NOKUT decides on the recognition of the institutions’ internal quality assurance systems and carries out checks to see if their educational provision meets national quality standards.
Controls take account of the fact, stated in law and Ministerial Regulation, that the institutions themselves carry full responsibility for the quality of their educational provision. A Ministerial Regulation sets some national standards and criteria, which are further developed in NOKUT’s own Regulation. Together, these documents define the national standard that NOKUT’s control activities refer to.
With few exceptions, NOKUT’s control mechanisms involve the use of expert panels. The primary aim is to check that the quality of educational programmes is satisfactory. However, the mechanisms have a double function, as NOKUT also provides recommendations as to how the institution can enhance the quality of its educational provision and quality work.
Operational model
The operational model for controlling the quality of higher education takes account of the fact that institutions are placed in different institutional categories that allow them to establish educational provision at different degree levels. The model has the following components:
- Controlling the institutions’ internal quality assurance systems
- Controlling that educational provision complies with national standards
This is done by means of:
- Evaluation of the quality assurance system at all institutions in cycles of no more than six years.
- Accreditation of new provision
Following an application from an institution without self-accrediting powers to establish the provision in question. (Self-accrediting power depends on institutional category.)
- Revision of accredited provision
Any institution may have any educational provision revised to check if it complies with the accreditation standard. The revision mechanism is currently under scrutiny for adjustments, due to be implemented at the end of 2010.
The arrangement of institutional categories with different self-accrediting powers also allows institutions to apply for institutional accreditation in a different category with wider powers.