Norway - higher education system

Higher education is in Norway defined as education and training provided at universities, specialised university institutions, university colleges, university colleges of arts, other public university colleges not under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Research, and private higher education institutions.

Since the Quality Reform of 2002, higher education institutions offer 3-year bachelor’s degrees, 2-year master’s degrees and 3-year Ph.D. degrees. A few study programmes are shorter than 3 years, there are some integrated five to five and half year master degrees and some professional study programmes that last 6 years. In addition, there are some master programmes of less than two years duration.

Categories of higher education institutions in Norway:

● Universities (so far public institutions only)
● Specialised university institutions (both public and private)
● University colleges (both public and private) including two public University colleges of arts
● Other university colleges (public, but not under the auspices Ministry of Education and Research, i.e military colleges and the The Norwegian Police University College)
● Higher education institutions that provide accredited study programmes (private).

source:
Eurypedia - The European Encyclopedia on National Education Systems
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/eurypedia_en.php