høgskole

Høgskole is a term used in Norway and some other Nordic contexts to denote a higher education institution that specializes in professional education and applied sciences. Høgskoler primarily offer bachelor's degrees and professional programs; many have broadened to offer master's degrees in selected fields, and a few have gained the right to award doctoral degrees. Compared with universities, høgskoler have historically placed greater emphasis on practical training, applied research, and close cooperation with industry, public services, and local communities.

Fields commonly taught at høgskoler include teacher education, nursing and health care professions, social work, engineering, computer science, business administration, arts, and the humanities and social sciences. Programs are designed to prepare students for professional practice, and internships or practicum are often integrated into curricula.

Governance and quality assurance: In Norway, both universities and høgskoler are publicly funded and operate under national legislation. Quality assurance is carried out by NOKUT, which accredits programs and institutions. The distinction between the two types of institutions has evolved; reforms in recent years have allowed some høgskoler to gain broader degree rights, and several have merged with universities or transformed into larger university colleges.

Admission requirements typically include completion of upper secondary education (videregående opplæring) and meeting program-specific criteria; international students may require recognized qualifications and language proficiency.

Today, the term høgskole remains widely used to refer to these teaching- and profession-oriented higher education institutions, even as some have grown into larger university colleges or been integrated into universities.