Evaluation of journalism education

NOKUT is conducting a national evaluation of journalism education. The evaluation started in autumn 2025, and the final report will be published in November 2027. National study programme evaluations are part of NOKUT's work to ensure and enhance quality in education.

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The aims of the evaluation

The evaluation shall generate knowledge about the quality of journalism education and contribute to quality development by facilitating the exchange of experiences, identifying challenges and providing advice on measures for further quality development.

Framework for the evaluation

NOKUT's evaluations of educational quality are grounded in the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the Higher Education Area (ESG 2015). These have been operationalised into our principles for external evaluation activities.

The following study programmes are included in the evaluation:

Institution Study programme
University of Bergen Journalism (bachelor) | Investigative journalism (master)
Volda University College Journalism (bachelor)
Nord University Bachelor in journalism | Master in journalism and communication studies
OsloMet Bachelor in journalism
NLA University College Bachelor in journalism | Master in global journalism
Kristiania University of Applied Sciences Bachelor in journalism
University of Stavanger Journalism – bachelor

The evaluation process

The evaluation should be useful to those working with the study programmes, and the evaluation should therefore be designed in dialogue with stakeholders. This involvement takes place through input meetings and through the evaluation's consultation panel. NOKUT will ask institutions and other key stakeholders to nominate representatives to the consultation panel.

The evaluation terms of reference will be published towards the end of 2025. It will outline the evaluation's themes, data collection plan, and key milestones.

The assessments of quality in education will be carried out by an expert panel. NOKUT has the main responsibility for the evaluation methodology and administrative support. NOKUT will request input on the composition of the expert panel.

The evaluation data will include institutions' self-assessments with appendices, programme outlines, digital site visits, data from DBH and from national student survey, and potentially other quantitative and qualitative data.

Input meetings

In May and June 2025, NOKUT held digital input meetings with stakeholders. During the meetings, NOKUT provided information about the purpose of the evaluation and about the evaluation process, and we asked for input on which topics it would be useful to investigate through the evaluation, and what kind of experience, perspectives, and expertise we should include in the expert panel.

    • 26 May 2025: Kristiania University of Applied Sciences
    • 27 May 2025: University of Bergen 
    • 2 June 2025: NLA University College 
    • 4 June 2025: Nord University
    • 11 June 2025: University of Stavanger
    • 12 June 2025: OsloMet 
    • 16 June 2025: Volda University College
    • 17 June 2025: Norwegian Union of Journalists 
    • 18 June 2025: Association of Norwegian Editors
    • 24 June 2025: Student Council of the Norwegian Union of Journalists

Summary of input on possible evaluation themes

We here summarise the themes that received the most attention across the stakeholder groups:

  • A recurring theme in the input meetings was the need to achieve a better balance between theoretical and practical content in journalism education. Several institutions expressed concern that the programmes risk becoming either too academic or too practice oriented. They emphasized that a good integration of theory and practice is essential for educating journalists who both master the craft and have a solid academic foundation. This applies to both bachelor’s and master’s programmes, and it was highlighted that master’s programmes face particular challenges in balancing academic level and practical skills, especially for students who are already employed in the field.

  • The input from the meetings emphasized that both bachelor’s and master’s programmes in journalism must maintain close ties to the industry to ensure relevance and quality. Concerns were raised about the future relevance of current journalism education and the need for continuous updates in line with changes in the role of journalists and the broader communications field. Areas such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) were highlighted as essential focus points to strengthen the relevance of the programmes. In addition, content quality and academic breadth were identified as key factors for meeting future demands.

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization were frequently mentioned as key topics for the future of journalism education. These were discussed both as content elements within the programmes and as challenges for assessment methods. Several institutions called for courses or modules covering AI, digital source criticism, and social media, and explored how programmes can be structured to keep pace with rapid technological developments. AI was also highlighted as a topic for ethical reflection and professional understanding.

  • Other topics raised in the input meetings included diversity and admission systems, where stakeholders expressed concern that high grade requirements and the lack of alternative admission criteria may lead to a too homogeneous student body.

    Another topic was assessment methods and examinations, focusing on the need for more practice-oriented and relevant evaluation approaches, as well as students requesting clearer assessment criteria and better information about what is expected from them.

    There were also inputs related to the student perspective and learning environment, addressing students’ experiences with teaching, attendance requirements, and timetables. Institutions pointed out challenges with engagement, reading habits, and balancing studies with part-time work.

Expert panel

Assessments of educational quality are to be carried out by the expert panel. The composition of the panel is based on input NOKUT received from the HEIs and other stakeholders, and on the Principles for NOKUT evaluations (pdf). The institutions were given the opportunity to comment on the proposal.

    • Balance between theory, practice, and digital development
      Experts should have an understanding of both theoretical and practical journalism, with particular emphasis on labour market relevance and the ability to adapt to changes such as digital development and artificial intelligence. It is advantageous to include individuals with experience from both theory and practice, as well as insight into digital journalism.
    • Media industry knowledge and practical experience
      Representatives from the media industry on the committee should have solid knowledge of journalism education and the needs of the media sector. For example, editors with experience hosting students in external practice and with an overview of developments in the media industry.
    • Student perspective and diversity
      It was suggested to include student representatives from the Student Council of the Norwegian Union of Journalists, to ensure that student experiences and diversity are taken into account. These representatives should have good knowledge of the different programmes.
    • International and Nordic perspectives
      The committee should include members with experience from Nordic or international educational environments to provide a broader and more comparative perspective on journalism education.
    • Experience with evaluation and quality work
      It is beneficial to include members with experience from previous evaluations, quality development, and comparison of educational quality across institutions.

NOKUT has appointed the following members to the evaluation’s expert panel:

Steen Steensen is the chair of the expert committee. He is Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences at OsloMet and Professor of Journalism. Steensen is a trained journalist, holds a master’s degree in European Journalism Studies (Cardiff University), and a Ph.D. in Media Studies (University of Oslo). He has previously served as Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at OsloMet, is Professor II at the Department of Communication at Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and Visiting Professor at the University of Bournemouth. Steensen has been a member of expert panels appointed by the Danish Accreditation Institution for the accreditation of Roskilde University, the Danish School of Media and Journalism, and Kolding Business Academy.

Maarit Jaakkola, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Gothenburg and Tampere University. She works as Assisting Director of Nordicom, a centre for Nordic media research, and has twenty years of experience teaching journalism students. Her research focuses on journalism, digital cultures, and media literacy, with a particular emphasis on Nordic journalism education. Jaakkola has previously chaired the Nordic Cooperation Committee for Journalism Education and currently serves as Europe’s representative on the board of the global organization World Journalism Education Council (WJEC). She also participates in UNESCO initiatives on media and information literacy (MIL).

Liv Skotheim is Editorial Manager at Bergens Tidende (BT) and has over ten years of experience in various leadership roles at BT and Aftenposten. She is responsible for supervising 20–40 journalism students who complete external practice at BT each year. Skotheim holds a master’s degree in media studies from the University of Oslo, leadership training from BI Norwegian Business School, and continuing education from the Danish School of Media and Journalism. Skotheim represents the media industry in the evaluation.

Hilde Kristin Dahlstrøm is Associate Professor of Journalism at NLA University College in Kristiansand. She served as Head of the Department of Journalism, Media, and Communication at NLA from 2015 to 2025 and chaired the Nordic Network for Journalism Education from 2023 to 2025. Dahlstrøm’s research and teaching focus on practical journalism, ethics, and journalism and religion.

Henrik Berggren is Head of the Department of Journalism at the Danish School of Media and Journalism and part of the school’s senior management team. He has overall responsibility for four programmes in journalism and photojournalism at bachelor’s and master’s level (including an international master’s programme), as well as a two-year continuing education programme in journalism. Berggren is a trained journalist and holds a cand.mag. degree in rhetoric. He worked for ten years as a journalist and remains active as a lecturer in the department’s programmes.

Ingrid Larsen Rossvang is the student representative on the committee. As of autumn 2025, she is in her second year of the bachelor’s programme in journalism at Nord University in Bodø. She served as deputy class representative in her first year and is now the class representative in her second year, actively engaged in the student community. Rossvang is currently the leader of the student club of the Norwegian Union of Journalists (NJ) at Nord University and previously served on the board as event coordinator. She has participated in board seminars with other NJ student councils across journalism programmes in Norway. In autumn 2025, she will join the central student board of the NJ and remain active there for at least one year.

Conflict of Interest Assessments
NOKUT must ensure that the experts are impartial in the relevant case. For example, experts cannot participate in the panel’s assessment of a programme if they are employed by or students at the same institution. Panel members should also not participate in their institution’s own work on the evaluation. The conflict of interest assessments entail the following:

  • Steen Steensen will not participate in the panel’s assessment of the programmes at OsloMet and Kristiania University of Applied Sciences
  • Ingrid Larsen Rossvang will not participate in the panel’s assessment of the programme at Nord University
  • Hilde Kristn Dahlstrøm will not participate in the panel’s assessment of the programme at NLA University College

Consultation panel

In addition to the expert panel, the evaluation also has a consultation panel. It consists of one representative from each of the seven institutions, as well as student representatives and employer representatives. The consultation panel will contribute with input and feedback in the evaluation process.

These are the members of the consultation panel:
Institution/role Representative
Kristiania University of Applied Sciences Lars Richard Bache
University of Bergen Astrid Gynnhild
NLA University College Bjørg Marit Nyjordet
Nord University Egil Trasti Rogstad
University of Stavanger Turid Borgen
OsloMet Anders Graver Knudsen
Volda University College Johann Roppen
Norwegian Union of Journalists Renate Karlsmoen
Association of Norwegian Editors Solveig Husøy
Student Council of the Norwegian Union of Journalists Marita Andreassen

Terms of Reference

This document presents the terms of reference for the evaluation, including information on the evaluation themes and key questions, as well as the plan for data collection. The terms of reference are based on input from stakeholders, including representatives from the ten study programmes participating in the evaluation. An earlier version of the document was discussed in the evaluation’s consultation panel on the 16 October 2025, which provided valuable feedback. The terms of reference were finalised by NOKUT and the evaluation’s expert panel.

Read Terms of Reference for NOKUT’s evaluation of journalism education (pdf)

On the Self-Assessment

A draft self-assessment form will be discussed with the evaluation's consultation panel. Each institution will submit one self-assessment. NOKUT encourages each institution to involve key groups and key individuals associated with the study programme in work on the self-assessment. This work will take place over a 10-week period in the spring of 2026. The self-assessment text can be up to 15 pages long.

On the site visit

The site visit will be digital. The visit will be led by representatives from the expert panel, and will include group interviews with, for example, management at the programme level and faculty or department level, lecturers, and students.

Tentative milestones

2025
May–June NOKUT has input meetings with key stakeholders
September The HEIs receive the proposal for the expert panel
October The consultation panel discusses the proposal for the evaluation themes
December NOKUT publishes the Terms of Reference and invites HEIs to a digital information meeting
2026
January The consultation panel discusses the proposal for the self-assessment form
March–May Each HEI writes one self-assessment
October–December The expert panel completes digital site visits
2027
September The HEIs receive relevant report chapters for fact checking
October The HEIs receive the final report and can submit a public statement to NOKUT
November Report launch

Contact NOKUT

Please contact project manager Katrine Kronen at katrine.kronen@nokut.no, if you have any comments or questions.      

HEIs wishing to submit a complaint about the evaluation process or an appeal in response to the final report, can email Katrine Kronen, copying in stein.erik.lid@nokut.no and postmottak@nokut.no