Introduction to Norwegian Kindergartens and Schools

The course provides knowledge about Norwegian kindergartens and schools, their values, and frameworks for pedagogical work and cooperation.

It gives you opportunities to reflect on how you can use your previous experiences and knowledge in the Norwegian educational context.

The language of instruction will be Norwegian with written support in Ukrainian or English.  

The course is a national offering, and arrangements will be made to facilitate participation from across the country. 

Admission requirements 

• Completed and documented pedagogical education from abroad. The documentation must be either in Norwegian, Ukrainian or English. The education does not need to be approved in Norway. 
• We recommend at least language level A2, since the language of instruction is Norwegian. Read about the language levels on the website of the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (hkdir.no). 
• You must be able to attend at least 80 per cent of the teaching. There will be two in-person meetings in Oslo, and weekly digital meetings via Zoom. Read more under "Teaching and learning methods".

Application deadline

10 November.

At the previous admission, we experienced a high demand. We recommend applying early. 

The course is suitable for those who have pedagogical education within early childhood education or school from abroad, but who wish to gain a better understanding of pedagogical work in Norwegian kindergartens and schools.

The course does not guarantee employment or provide academic credits from higher education, but it can be a good starting point for further development of personal competence in a new context.

• Application form in Norwegian bokmål and Ukrainian (nettskjema.no)
• Application form in Norwegian nynorsk (nettskjema.no)

Module 1: Framework for school and kindergarten

• Introduction to laws and governing documents for kindergartens and schools.
• The kindergarten as an educational activity. Responsibilities and roles.
• The school system and school development in Norway. Responsibilities and roles.

Module 2: The value base for kindergartens and schools

• Diversity and mutual respect.
• Democracy, participation and an inclusive learning environment.
• Nature, health and life skills and sustainable development.

Module 3: Content and educational practices in kindergarten and school

• The kindergarten's purpose. Care, play and learning.
• Professional practice and class management.
• Multilingualism and linguistic diversity in kindergarten and school.
• Adapted training and pupils with special rights in school.
• The team surrounding the child and the student: Interdisciplinary collaboration and transitions.
• Parental cooperation in kindergarten and school. 

The teaching will be conducted both digitally and through in-person sessions, and will consist of:

• Weekly digital two-hour sessions for reflection together with teachers and other course participants.
• Two mandatory in-person day-long sessions in Oslo. One Saturday in February and one Saturday in May.
• Digital learning resources that you can complete at your own pace. This includes instructional videos, texts, articles, reflection tasks, and more. You must calculate time for self-study, approximately two hours per week. 

Course Requirements 

An interview with a teacher in a school, leader of SFO/AKS (school-age childcare) or a pedagogical leader in a kindergarten about their pedagogical work. Based on the interview, you must develop a reflection note that refers to the content of the course.

The course is free of charge, and the travel expenses for the two campus sessions can be covered by OsloMet.

After completing the course, participants will receive a course certificate. To receive the certificate, a minimum of 80 per cent attendance is required at both the sessions on campus and the digital sessions, and the course requirements must be met and approved.

OsloMet has a further education for teachers with education from their home country which gives 120 credits. Read more about supplementary teacher training (in Norwegian).  

OsloMet also has an additional education in kindergarten pedagogy of 60 credits (in Norwegian).