Recognition of qualifications
As countries have different education and qualifications systems, employers or higher education institutions abroad do not necessarily understand your qualification.
Applying for credential evaluation/recognition assists you and foreign organisations to understand how your qualifications relate to those in the foreign country.
Do I need to have my qualifications recognised in Norway?
Recognition of academic qualifications might be useful especially when applying for higher education, including PhD. In the Norwegian system, there are two types of recognition, general recognition and specific recognition, and it involves assessing foreign qualifications in relation to Norwegian higher education qualifications. Some professions also need authorisation before practising in Norway.
Genereal recognition
You can apply to NOKUT for general recognition of your education if you wish to obtain recognition of the level and scope of your studies. NOKUT can grant you ECTS credits and, if applicable, give general recognition of your education/degree as being equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree.
Read more about generel recognition (NOKUT)
Specific recognition
Specific recognition means recognition of foreign qualifications in relation to specific subjects offered and degrees awarded at an institution. Each individual institution determines whether the foreign qualifications satisfy the specific requirements regarding the breadth and depth of the subject or degree.
You do not need to have obtained general recognition of your qualifications before applying for specific recognition.
All specific recognition requires that the foreign qualifications are well documented in the shape of course descriptions, reading lists and any written theses.
Authorisation
Some professions are regulated and need authorisation in Norway. Please contact each of the authorisation bodies for more information and application.
| Health personell | The Norwegian Registration Authority for Health Personell (SAFH) |
| Auditors, accountants, estate agents | The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway |
| Veterinary surgeons and fish health biologists | The Norwegian Food Safety Authority |
| Lawyers | The Supervisory Council for Legal Practice (in Norwegian) |
| Maritime professions | The Norwegian Maritime Directorate |
| Pilot, aircraft technicians |
The Civil Aviation Authority -Norway
|
Recognition outside Norway
If you are going to work outside Norway, you should contact the credential body in the country where you are going to live. The ENIC-NARIC network provides you with more information.
See also information given by NOKUT (in Norw.)
- Published:
- 09.06.2009
