Which academic degree is right for you?
By choosing higher education and, for example, a bachelor's degree, you open the doors to working life and to further education. This page gives you insight into what an academic degree is, and an overview of the educational opportunities you have.
Main content
An academic degree is a completed education from an academic institution, which grants the right to a title. Academic degrees are divided into three levels: lower degree (bachelor), higher degree (master), and doctoral level (Ph.D.), each progressively building upon the previous one.
Bachelor
A bachelor program usually lasts three years (180 credits) and provides you with a solid foundational knowledge in one or more fields of study.
UiB offers over 60 different bachelor programs. Some of them have fixed paths, but many programs also have a full year of "elective subjects" where you decide what you want to learn more about. For example, you can take economics courses in your art history education if you are considering a career in cultural administration. The bachelors programmes are only taught in Norwegian.
Master
A master program is a two-year study (120 credits) that builds on the bachelor's degree. By taking a master program, you gain a sought-after blend of broad academic competence and subject specialization. At the master's level, you can truly delve deeper into your field. A master's degree gives you valuable skills and even more career opportunities than a bachelor's degree.
Integrated master’s/profession
An integrated master's program is a five-year program that leads to a master's degree without having to take a bachelor's degree first. Examples of integrated master's programs at UiB are Law, Master's, 5 year and Integrated Master's Programme in Music Therapy.
A professional study program is a permanent education that targets specific professions in society. Most professional studies are six years long and lead to a master's degree. After graduation, you will receive a specific and often protected professional title or authorization. Examples of professional studies at UiB are Cand.med.-degree programme and Professional studies in psychology
Civil engineering
The University of Bergen offers six different five-year integrated master's programs that give you civil engineering expertise: energy, aquaculture, marine technology, information technology and economics (ITØK), data science and medical technology.
This means that you gain knowledge of management, economics and programming - in addition to the basic sciences.
Research education (Ph.d.)
UiB is a research university with an international profile. You can take a PhD within the following subject areas: humanities, art, music, design, law, natural sciences, medicine, dentistry and other health sciences, psychology and social sciences. You will have the opportunity to conduct both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. The PhD degree builds on the master's degree and has a standardized time frame of three years.
One year programmes
A one-year program gives you the right to study at UiB for one year of full-time study (60 credits). This program is suitable for those who do not plan to take a degree, but only intend to study at UiB for one year or need an academic refill. The one-year-programmes are only taught in Norwegian.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a study program for those who have a university and/or college education and who want to train to become a teacher. PGCE lasts one academic year and qualifies you to teach in secondary and upper secondary schools. By taking PGCE, you will learn how to plan, organize, implement and evaluate teaching. The program gives you theoretical understanding and knowledge about learning and practical pedagogical experience and skills. PGCE is only taught in Norwegian.
Continuing Education
Some courses at bachelor's/master's level are specially designed for those who want to take further education on a part-time basis, either group-based or as online studies. In many cases, these will be paid studies, as opposed to ordinary studies. There are also separate application deadlines and procedures for applying for admission to these.
Questions?
The information center at your faculty will answer your questions.
