Credits and graduations from higher education, 2008/2009

About half of all tertiary degrees completed at undergraduate level in 2008/09 were completed by young students aged 19-24 years. This was also the only age group where more degrees were awarded in 2008/09 compared with the previous academic year. In all other age groups, fewer degrees were completed at undergraduate level.

An overall increase in completed degrees at graduate level was due to an increase in several age groups. The largest growth at graduate level was also found among 19-24-year-olds - from close to 1 700 last year to almost 2 000 in 2008/09; an increase of 17 per cent. Half of all tertiary degrees completed at graduate level were completed by students aged 25-29 years.

The increase in 19-24-year-olds completing a tertiary education is mainly due to the reform - known as the Quality Reform - in Norwegian higher education, which was carried out in tertiary institutions in 2003. The Bachelor-Master degree structure was implemented, and previous six-year tertiary graduate degrees became five-year Master degrees, which meant students were more likely to complete a Master degree before the age of 25.

Fewer degrees were completed at undergraduate level

A total of 34 100 degrees were completed in tertiary education in Norway during the academic year 2008/09; almost the same as the year before. Fewer tertiary degrees were completed at undergraduate level, whereas a corresponding increase was completed at graduate level.

Immigrants tend to complete in same fields of education

One out of three male immigrants completing a tertiary degree in 2008/09 completed in Natural sciences, vocational and technical subjects. Another 14 per cent completed in the field of Business and administration. The corresponding proportions for the rest of the population were 27 and 22 per cent respectively.

The similarities were even more evident among female immigrants and females in the rest of the population. Three out of ten - or 30 per cent - of female immigrants completing a tertiary education, completed in Health, welfare and sport. Another 17 per cent completed in Teacher training and pedagogy. The female proportions in the rest of the population in these fields of education were 34 and 22 per cent.

Additionally, Norwegian-born to immigrant parents completed tertiary degrees as others, with one exception. As for the females in the rest of the population, 32 per cent of Norwegian-born women with immigrant parents completing a tertiary degree, completed in Health, welfare and sport. Another 20 per cent completed in Business and administration - unlike females in the rest of the population and among female immigrants.

Decrease in doctoral degrees awarded

A total of 1 084 doctoral degrees were awarded in Norwegian tertiary institutions during 2008/09; a decrease of 147 compared with 2007/08. A total of 46 per cent of the degrees were awarded to women, a rise of 10 percentage points from 1998/99. The female proportions were in favour over men in Social sciences and law, Teacher training and pedagogy and in Health welfare and sport. Within certain fields of education, a modest number of doctoral degrees are awarded, and small changes from one year to another will have an immediate effect on the proportions.

Tables:

• Table 1 Graduations in tertiary education ,by gender, level of degree and type of institution. 1998/99, 2007/08, 2008/09
• Table 2 Graduations in tertiary education, by gender, level of degree and field of education. 1998/99, 2007/08, 2008/09
• Table 3 Graduations, in tertiary education by immigration category, gender and field of education. Numbers and per cent. 2008/09
• Table 4 Graduations in tertiary education, by gender, level and age 1998/99, 2007/08, 2008/09
• Table 5 Graduations, by gender, level and parents´ level of education 1998/99, 2007/08, 2008/09