The Norwegian school system is divided into three main parts: kindergarten, primary and lower secondary school, and upper secondary education. Understanding how these connect makes it easier to follow your children's schooling and know your rights as a parent. All children between 6 and 16 have a duty to attend school. This means your children must go to school — regardless of where you come from. Public schooling in Norway is free, and there are good support schemes for families who are new to the country. This guide gives you a clear overview of each stage of the Norwegian school system, from the early years in kindergarten to an upper secondary school leaving certificate. You will learn what you need to do to enrol your child, what rights the child has, and what language support is available. Everything is explained step by step so you can make good decisions for your family.
Kindergarten and primary school in the Norwegian education system
Kindergarten (barnehage) is the first step in the Norwegian education system. Children can start kindergarten from the age of one. According to Statistics Norway (SSB), over 90 per cent of all children between one and five years old attend kindergarten in Norway. It is an important arena for language development, play, and socialisation. Kindergarten is not compulsory, but strongly recommended — especially for children whose mother tongue is not Norwegian. Children who attend kindergarten learn Norwegian more quickly and have a better foundation before starting school.
Primary and lower secondary school (grunnskole) begins in the year the child turns six. It lasts ten years and is divided into three stages: lower primary (Years 1–4), upper primary (Years 5–7), and lower secondary (Years 8–10). All children in Norway have the right and the duty to complete primary and lower secondary education. Teaching follows a national curriculum set by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (Udir). Subjects include Norwegian, mathematics, English, science, social studies, and several practical and creative subjects. The school day usually runs from 08:30 to 14:00, although times vary somewhat between schools and year groups.
The municipality you live in assigns your child a local school. You do not need to apply — you will receive a letter with information about enrolment. If your child needs special language instruction, the school must make arrangements from the first day. In lower secondary school, pupils receive grades that are used when applying for upper secondary education. Contact the school early if you have questions about what is on offer.
Upper secondary education after lower secondary school
After completing primary and lower secondary school, all young people in Norway are entitled to upper secondary education (videregående skole). This right is valid for five years and covers three years of study. Young people choose between two main directions: general academic programmes or vocational programmes. The choice affects what opportunities they have afterwards.
The general academic track prepares pupils for higher education at a university or university college. Common programme areas include general studies, sports, and music. The vocational track leads to a trade certificate or journeyman's certificate, usually with two years at school and two years as an apprentice in a company. Popular vocational programmes include health and childcare, electrical work, and construction and civil engineering. Both paths provide valuable qualifications for the Norwegian labour market. It is also possible to take a supplementary year to gain general university entrance qualifications after completing a vocational programme.
Applications for upper secondary school are made through the county authority's admissions process, usually via the website vigo.no. The deadline is typically 1 March each year. Pupils are ranked by their grades from lower secondary school. It is important to apply on time, as places fill up quickly. Young people who are uncertain about their choice should speak to the school counsellor.
Young people who arrived in Norway late in their schooling may be entitled to a preparatory year or adapted teaching. County authorities often offer introductory classes where pupils learn Norwegian and cover core subjects. Read more about your rights at Vilbli.no, which is the official guide to upper secondary education. Speak to the lower secondary school counsellor well in advance of the application deadline.
Rights and obligations related to schooling in Norway
The duty to attend school in Norway applies to all children between 6 and 16 who are resident in the country. It makes no difference whether the family has temporary or permanent residence status. Asylum seekers living in reception centres also have the right to schooling. The municipality has a duty to provide your child with a school place, and as a parent you have a duty to ensure that your child attends.
Pupils have the right to a safe and positive school environment. This is enshrined in the Education Act. If your child experiences bullying, exclusion, or feels unsafe, the school must intervene immediately. The school must draw up an action plan and follow up on the matter. You can also complain to the County Governor if the school does not act quickly enough.
Did you know that children with a mother tongue other than Norwegian are entitled to special Norwegian language instruction, bilingual subject teaching, or mother-tongue instruction? Talk to the headteacher to find out what the school offers.
Parents are expected to take an active part in their children's schooling. This means attending parent meetings, following up on homework, and maintaining regular contact with the class teacher. Norwegian schools place great emphasis on cooperation between home and school. You do not need to speak perfect Norwegian to participate — many schools offer an interpreter when needed. Pupils with disabilities are entitled to special educational provision following an expert assessment. Make time for home–school cooperation; it makes a significant difference to your child's wellbeing and learning.
How to enrol your child in Norwegian education
When you move to Norway with children, the municipality is responsible for assigning a school place. You must first register with the National Registry at the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten). Then contact the municipality or the nearest school to enrol. The process is straightforward, but it is wise to do it quickly after arrival so that your child does not miss unnecessary time.
For a kindergarten place, you apply via the municipality's website. The main intake takes place in March, with a start in August. Children who turn one before the end of November are entitled to a place from August of the same year. Outside the main intake you can apply on a rolling basis, but availability varies by municipality. Families with low incomes can apply for a reduced parental fee and free core hours for children over two years old.
Children of primary and lower secondary school age are normally placed at the nearest school. You will receive a decision from the municipality with information about the school, start date, and contact person. If your child needs adapted teaching or language support, the school must assess this within a short time after the start.
For upper secondary education, the young person applies through vigo.no. Newly arrived young people between 16 and 18 have the right to upper secondary education, and the county authority can offer introductory classes. Also read our guide on permanent residence to understand the connection between residence status and rights. Contact the school or the refugee services in your municipality for practical help with the application process.
Language instruction and extra support for newly arrived pupils
Children who do not know enough Norwegian to follow regular teaching have a statutory right to special Norwegian language instruction. The municipality must assess the child's language level and draw up an education plan. The aim is for the child to join regular lessons with their peers as quickly as possible.
Many municipalities offer introductory classes or welcome classes for newly arrived pupils. Here children receive intensive Norwegian instruction combined with mainstream school subjects such as mathematics and science. Some municipalities have dedicated reception schools, while others integrate pupils directly into the local school with extra support from a bilingual teacher. The model used by the municipality varies according to its size and resources. What all models have in common is that the child must receive a sound educational provision from day one.
Parents who are themselves learning Norwegian can participate in the introduction programme or Norwegian language courses through the municipality. Good Norwegian language skills for the whole family make it easier to follow your children's schooling and communicate with the school. You can read more about the requirements for Norwegian citizenship on a separate page here at SamfunnPrep.
Bilingual subject teaching means that a teacher uses the child's mother tongue to explain subject matter in Norwegian. This right applies for as long as the child needs it. If the school cannot provide a mother-tongue teacher locally, teaching can take place digitally via video meeting. For families preparing for the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven, the school system is a topic that appears in the exam. Ask the class teacher which support schemes are the right fit for your particular child.