Norway
The Norwegian authorities are currently trying to make it as easy as possible for foreigners to get work in Norway. This is because it helps the development of the Norwegian society and so they are happy to accept skilled workers. Norway suffered from the economic crisis in 2008/09 and as such unemployment increased. Employment is on the rise again but recruitment is still slower than in recent years before the economic downturn.
You do not need to be in Norway to find a job, as vacancies are listed through company websites and on the NAV (Norwegian Employment and Welfare Organisation) website. It is also possible to register your CV on the EURES - European Job Mobility Portal for Norwegian employers to access. Norway also has an informal job market, so being in the country and able to network can sometimes prove advantageous.
The usual method of application is by letter and CV, followed by an interview. Employers are usually happy to receive speculative applications.
Most vacancies are advertised in Norwegian and it is preferred that applications are made in Norwegian as well, although some companies do accept English.
It is advisable to attach copies of letters of reference, qualification certificates and grade transcripts.
CVs should be no longer than two pages in length. A photograph may be added but it is not essential.
They usually include the following sections:
The CV should be written in reverse chronological order and examples of Norwegian CVs are available (in Norwegian) from the University of Oslo careers service.
Interviews are typically structured and contain set questions. They can range from between 45-90 minutes, although if psychometric tests or group exercises are carried out the whole process will take longer.
It is common for there to be between two to five people conducting the interview, who may each ask questions on specific areas. Ensure you have prepared well for the interview and be ready to answer questions about why you have applied and what you can bring to the company. Explain why the skills you have will be beneficial to the role.
If you wish to compare your professional, vocational or technical qualifications with Norwegian qualifications, you can consult ENIC-NARIC.
The UK National Europass Centre (UK NEC) has information on how to make your skills and qualifications easily understood in Norway.
If you are planning to live and work in Norway, check your tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Agencies are listed in the Norwegian Yellow Pages. Search for Vikarbyrå and Vikarutleie.
All Norwegian newspapers can be accessed at Kidon Media-Link .
Sending speculative applications is a common method of applying for jobs in Norway. Details on where to find lists of companies for speculative applications can be found in job market. Remember to make a follow-up call to the company after you have sent your application.
In some sectors it is not unusual to visit a company unannounced to enquire about a job. Remember to take your CV with references and transcripts and ask to speak to someone in personnel or management.
Some opportunities as an English language assistant are available, as English is widely taught in schools. The British Council - Norway will be able to advise. If you have a TEFL qualification, you could teach in a language school - a list is available at ESL Base.
In addition to the usual voluntary organisations, such as Volunteer Abroad, you could consider The European Voluntary Service (EVS) or look at the opportunities available through the European Youth Portal.
Much part-time and casual work is seasonal and is available in sectors such as forestry and agriculture. Other jobs you could do if you do not speak Norwegian are similar to those available in the UK and include:
Summer vacancies can also be found on the NAV (Norwegian Employment and Welfare Organisation) website by searching for sommer (summer), ferie (holiday) or sesong (seasonal). Deltidsjobb also advertises part-time work (in Norwegian).
Look for ideas in the usual gap year guides, such as gap year and GapYear.com.
Norway is one of the countries taking part in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) . This means their higher education system follows the structure of the Bachelors degree, Masters and PhD, which helps with the transferability of qualifications between those countries involved in the process. In Norway, Bachelors degrees typically take three years, Masters take two and PhDs take three years.
Full information about the Norwegian education system is available at Study in Norway and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
Information about Norway's policy regarding the internationalisation of education can be found at Norwegian Centre for International Co-operation in Higher Education (SIU).
Norwegian postgraduate study offers many of the same subjects as in the UK, as well as an interesting choice of agricultural science and natural science courses. An online catalogue of courses is available at Study in Norway.
While the main language of teaching is Norwegian, there are an increasing number of Masters courses being offered in English. If you do opt for a Norwegian-based course but have little or no prior knowledge of the language, you will need to spend the first year learning Norwegian. Alternatively, summer schools also offer language courses specifically aimed at exchange students.
There are seven universities in Norway, all state-run:
There are also nine specialised university institutions, 23 state university colleges and a number of private colleges.
Links to all the Norwegian universities and institutions of higher education are available at Study in Norway.
Application criteria are set by each individual institution but in general it is similar to that found in the UK. Applicants usually must have completed a three year degree, part of which should be relevant to the selected Masters.
Most courses start in August but some do begin in January. Individual institutions should be contacted to find out specific application deadlines. Typically for foreign students deadlines are between January and March for courses starting in the following autumn.
Norwegian institutions are publicly funded and as such there are no tuition fees, even for foreign students. A registration fee of around NOK300-600 per semester is required however. This grants membership to the student welfare organisation and provides a student card which can be used to obtain discounts in a variety of areas.
You should bear in mind the high cost of living in Norway and the fact that international students must prove they have sufficient funding for one year.
Information on scholarships is available from:
UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Norway through the Erasmus scheme. This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.
See Norwegian Centre for International Co-operation in Higher Education (SIU) for more possibilities.
As Norway is a member state of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) , qualifications will be transferable to the UK. You can also refer to the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) for information on comparing international qualifications.
Norway is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), so all EEA nationals are free to stay in Norway without a residence permit for up to three months. You must be able to support yourself financially during this period.
If you are an EEA national and plan to stay in Norway for longer than three months, either to work, carry out training or study on a university course, you must register with the police. They will then issue a certificate of registration. Details are available from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). A residence permit is not required.
Restrictions apply to nationals of the new EEA member countries, Bulgaria and Romania. Non-EEA nationals may also be required to apply for a residence permit. Check the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration for further details.
EEA nationals do not need to apply for a residence permit.
If you are not a citizen of an EEA country, contact the Norwegian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain a residence permit. If you are living in the UK, go to the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Norway.
EEA citizens who plan to stay for longer than three months, must register at the local police station. A certificate of registration will be issued, which is then valid indefinitely.
Members of non-EEA countries need to apply for a permanent residence permit. This allows the holder to live and work in Norway indefinitely. To apply for a permanent residence permit you must have stayed in Norway for a continuous period of three years. Applications must be submitted to the police. See the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) for more information.
Once you are in Norway you can use the NAV (Norwegian Employment and Welfare Organisation) to help you look for vacancies. They have details of job listings (mostly in Norwegian), as well as a range of other careers-related services.
The Oslo Youth Information Centre provides advice about living and working in Norway.
Careers services in Norway have been in operation for several years. The following universities have careers services:
They offer a range of services including:
British citizens can get help in an emergency from the British Embassy Norway. Check the Embassy website for details of the types of assistance available.
The emergency telephone number in Norway is 112, which is the shared emergency services number in Europe.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
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