Teacher education has been part of Norwegian higher education since 1975 and is provided by universities and university colleges, with initial teacher education mainly organised as five‑year integrated master’s programmes, alongside consecutive routes such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education ('PPU') for candidates with prior qualifications. Teachers are employed largely in the public sector, with pay and working conditions regulated through collective agreements, while continuing professional development is strongly encouraged and supported through flexible in‑service and further education offered by higher education institutions as part of lifelong professional learning.