Law Degrees in Norway
A five-year, Faculty of Law program leading to a master i rettsvitenskap (Master of Jurisprudence) is the most important degree lawyers can earn in Norway. Similar to a Master of Laws, the master i rettsvitenskap recently replaced the old Candidate of Law degree originally created in 1736.
The LLM is the only degree needed to qualify students to work as lawyers in Norway. However, graduates of an LLM program are not relegated to lawyer positions. They can also accept high-ranking employment in the Norwegian Police Service, serve as a barrister judge or accept various positions in the civil servant sector. The legal profession in Norway is a "united" one because all people employed in legal occupations have received the same type of education.
During their fifth year of the LLM program, students must complete a thesis and enroll in advanced, elective courses. In addition, anyone studying for the Faculty of Law degree also have the opportunity to earn a master's degree in criminology or the sociology of law.
Ph.D., doctoral and licentiate degree are also available for students who wish to engage in legal research or teach at a Norwegian university.
Norwegian Universities Offering Faculty of Law Degrees
The University of Oslo offers Det juridiske fakultet programs as well as the University of Tromso and the University of Bergen. The University of Tromso participates in the European Credit Transfer System that allows students to transfer any credits they earn at UT to home-based universities.
Tuition Fees
International and Norwegian students pay no tuition fees. The Norwegian government considers higher education to be a vital to the continuing success of Norway and publicly fund 98 percent of all higher learning institutions. Only privately run colleges charge tuition fees in Norway. However, a charge of 400 to 600 NOK per semester is required before students can take final exams. This fee also grants them membership in student unions that provide benefits such as health services, use of sports facilities, counseling and housing assistance.