Education sector in Norway

Overview

Norway's education system is highly international and focused on global collaboration. It actively fosters and encourages global university partnerships and research and development (R&D) through programs such as Erasmus and Horizons Europe. 

Norway’s public education system includes: 

  • 11 universities
  • 4 university colleges 
  • 6 specialized colleges
  • over 15 private education institutions

The university centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is unique in Norway in that all Norwegian universities, or international institutions in partnership with those universities, have access to it for arctic research. 

Canada-Norway collaboration

Norway’s Panorama Strategy (2021-27) names Canada as a key partner country for bilateral research and higher education. 

Canadian and Norwegian institutions work together on: 

  • joint R&D projects
  • student and faculty exchanges
  • projects funded under Norwegian and international programs 

Key organizations

In 2024, Canada joined NordForsk’s international research initiative on Sustainable Development of the Arctic. 

Non-exhaustive funding list for joint projects with Norwegian partners: 

Key opportunities

Canadian organizations can benefit from collaboration with Norway through: 

  • Partnerships: Access to Norwegian and European research funding programs
  • Exchanges: It is a goal of the ministry of education to promote exchanges between Norwegian and international universities
  • Arctic research opportunity: As an arctic nation, Norway has research and development expertise, and is home to the world’s northern most year-round research station

Industry highlights

Panorama Strategy names Canada as a key partner country bilateral research. 

NOK 11 billion (CAD 1.5 billion) Annual research and innovation funding by Research Council. 

Partnerships and collaboration are a key educational strategy for Norway and Europe. 

Arctic research: Norway leads global innovation with year-round research station.   

Notable challenges

  • Non-member of the European Union (EU): While closely aligned with the EU, Norway is not a member.
  • Strong competition: Canada faces significant competition from key players such as the United States and European countries

Norway’s business landscape

Canada and Norway enjoy close commercial relations and are likeminded in many areas, including:

  • sustainability
  • Arctic development
  • a rules-based international order 

Norway is a leader in the blue economy and green transition. Norway is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and is also part of the Schengen area. Bilateral trade benefits from the Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (C-EFTA), a goods-only trade agreement in force since 2009. 

Contact us

Contact nordicommerce@international.gc.ca for more information about the education sector in Norway.

Additional Information

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