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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Teaching and learning in vocational upper secondary education
Norway

Norway

6.Upper secondary education and post-secondary non-tertiary education

6.5Teaching and learning in vocational upper secondary education

Last update: 22 October 2024

Curriculum, subjects, number of hours

From 2020 there are around 211 subject curricula in vocational education. Also, there are seven common core subjects. Mandatory subjects in all the vocational programmes are Norwegian, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, English, Social Science and Physical Education. There are at present ten areas of vocational education in year 1. These lead to 52 different subject curricula in year 2 and further craft and trade specialisation which most often is  enterprise-based training.

The subject requirements for pupils/apprentices within the vocational education programmes are stated in chapter 3.4 in the Framework regulating the distribution of teaching hours in subjects (in Norwegian only).

During the course of the school-based two years, the pupils shall have 588 hours Common Core Subjects and 954 hours Core Curriculum Options from their area of study. Also, they shall have 421 hours of Vocational Specialisation.

 

The ten programme areas of vocational education (from 2020) are the following:

  • Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry 
  • Building and Construction
  • Crafts, Design and Product Development
  • Electrical Engineering and Computer Technology
  • Healthcare, Childhood and Youth Development
  • Hairdressing, Floral, Interior and Retail Design
  • Information Technology and Media Production 
  • Restaurant and Food Processing
  • Sales, Service and Tourism
  • Technological and Industrial Production

 

Subjects and teaching hours for pupils in vocational education programmes after 2 years in school:

Norwegian 112
Mathematics 84
Natural Sciences 56
English 140
Social Studies 84
Physical Education 112
Total Common Core Curriculum 588
Common Core Options from an area of Education Programme 955
Vocational Specialisation 421
Total over a two-year period 1963

 

Pupils and apprentices wishing to achieve University Entrance Qualifications can do this by taking an extra year 3 (bridging course) in upper secondary education which includes additional Common Core Curriculum Subjects (701 hours) and 140 hours Core Curriculum options from the Programme for General Studies.

 

Additional core curriculum subjects and common core options from the Programme for General Studies to achieve University Entrance qualifications:

Norwegian 281
Mathematics 140
Natural Sciences 84
History 140
Physical Education 56
Total Common Core Curriculum 588
Common Core Options from General Studies area 140
Total 841

Social partner representatives from business, industry and the public sector hold the majority of the seats in all advisory bodies in the decision-making system for upper secondary VET. Close dialogue with the social partners is important in anticipating skills needs and in securing relevant provision of VET. Thus, tripartite cooperation is important in both designing VET provision and in assuring relevance and quality in accordance with labour market needs.

The social partners have been actively involved in the development of a new structure of available courses and apprenticeships which came into force from the school year 2020–21 and also in the development of renewed VET curricula for all trades and crafts in accordance with labour market needs. The new VET curricula were implemented as of the school year 2020–21.