The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
NOKUT – The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education is a professionally independent government agency, with the mandate of conducting external quality assurance of higher education and tertiary vocational education and generally contribute towards the enhancement of educational quality.
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NOKUT was established as an independent quality assurance agency in 2003 in conjunction with the Norwegian Quality Reform in the higher education sector.
NOKUT's tasks are to accredit institutions and study programmes in Norwegian higher education and tertiary vocational education, conducting external quality assurance, assist institutions and academic groups in their quality assurance work, and recognise foreign higher education qualifications in response to applications by individuals.
NOKUT has the authority to establish its own regulations within its area of responsibility. NOKUTs regulations are a supplement to the regulations regarding accreditation and quality assurance set by the Ministry of Education and Research.
NOKUT evaluates the institutions' quality assurance systems every 6th year. Based on this evaluation, it is decided whether or not the institution's status as a university, university college or non-accredited institution shall be extended.
The universities have the right to establish study programmes at all levels (bachelor, master, and Ph.D.) without applying for accreditation by NOKUT. NOKUT can, on its own initiative, evaluate subject areas/fields taught at Norwegian educational institutions. Based on these evaluations, NOKUT has the authority to withdraw accreditation of individual subject areas/fields, also at the universities.
