videregående

Videregående, short for videregående opplæring, is the upper secondary phase of the Norwegian education system, following grunnskolen (primary and lower secondary). It typically lasts three years and aims to prepare students for either higher education or entry into the workforce. The system is organized and delivered through municipalities and counties, with schools offering a range of programs and pathways.

The two main tracks are studiespesialisering and yrkesfag. Studiespesialisering, or general studies, is designed to qualify students for admission to higher education and focuses on academic subjects, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as mathematics, sciences, languages, and social studies. Yrkesfag, or vocational programs, combine school-based instruction with practical training in an industry setting, often through an apprenticeship arrangement in a partner company. Completing a yrkesfag program leads to a vocational qualification, such as a fagbrev, and may open doors to further education through bridging courses or combined pathways.

Admission requires completion of grunnskolen. The programs run roughly three years, divided into terms with a mix of classroom learning, practical work, and, in vocational tracks, on-the-job training. At the end of videregående, students receive a Vitnemål for videregående opplæring, certifying either general study competence or completed vocational qualifications. The general studies pathway grants access to higher education, while the vocational pathway provides direct labor market qualifications and can include pathways to further studies in higher education or specialized institutions. Adults can also pursue videregående education through voksenopplæring and similar programs.