Choosing an education path is for many the biggest and most challenging decision in life so far. We have gathered some tips to help you choose the right study program for you.
For most people, the choice of education will be crucial for what they will do for the rest of their lives. At the same time it is about finding oneself. Fortunately, no one demands that you have all the answers right away. We have collected some good tips on how to choose the education that is right for you.
Where do you start?
Today's students have more choices than ever before. Consequently, there are greater opportunities to formalize one's skills and interests through higher education, and to gain the right expertise to land the dream job after completing the education. But, where do you actually start when you want to figure out what you want to study?
– A good place to start if you're unsure about what to study is to get an overview of the fields of study available, says Guro Rønning, Digital Content Editor at studentum.no.She mentions online research and education fairs as examples of good sources for such information.
– You can also explore various professional fields. It would be beneficial to read job descriptions and interviews about the positions. It's a good idea to think about what you are good at and enjoy doing, whether you are more inclined towards theory or practical work, the duration of the education you want, the professions that will be in demand in the future, but also what you don't want to work with, Rønning continues.
Should you follow your head or your heart?
It would be wise to consider what you are good at and enjoy doing.Guro Rønning, Studentum
Choosing an education is one of the biggest decisions you will make, and it can have an impact on your life for many years to come. It's enough to make many people nervous. Rønning believes there are many factors to consider when choosing an education.
– Some choose their education based on salary levels or job security, while others follow their heart and ignore challenging prospects. It can be a good idea to research how the job market will look in the future, which allows you to make a more informed decision about your studies, she says.
An example of a good starting point is NHO's competence barometer,which is NHO's annual survey of companies' competence needs.
–On the other hand, it's important to include your heart in the decision. Several research reports show a correlation between internal motivation, performance, and reward. Therefore, we encourage finding out what your motivations and passions are before choosing a study program. Salary is important, but it won't come if you're not motivated, says Rønning.
Guro Rønning, Digital Content Editor at studentum.no.
Specialist or Generalist?
There is a need for both general and specialized skills in the job market, and what is needed will vary from company to company. Rønning believes there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
– Generalists have knowledge of various topics, as well as various skills and interests, so they have greater flexibility in their careers. However, there can be a risk as they can be easier to replace, she says, adding:
–Specialists, on the other hand, have in-depth knowledge in a narrower field. The advantage here is that there is less competition, and they often get better pay. But there is a risk of low demand for these skills, leading to fewer career opportunities.
Which of these competence variants you should focus on, according to Rønning, entirely depends on your personal qualities and preferences.
– My advice is to evaluate your interests, how dedicated you are to them, and think about whether you would like to work on varied tasks or in-depth within a specific area.
Campus or Online?
This mix makes the teaching exciting, with different approaches to solving tasks.Linda Stiberg-Jamt
In today's technological society, online studies are no longer a distant concept, and Noroff has more online students than ever before. However, some prefer to study in person on campus. What suits you best will be an individual assessment.
– On campus, you become part of a physical learning environment with lecturers and fellow students. You participate in lectures, group work, and social activities that happen on and around the school, explains Linda Stiberg-Jamt, Head of Admissions and Student Recruitment at Noroff.
She continues:
– Campus studies are particularly suitable for those who need structure in their daily lives, such as showing up at a fixed time every day for lectures and group work. We have students coming directly from high school, but also students who have studied something before and are a bit older. This mix makes the teaching exciting, with different approaches to solving tasks.
As an online student, you naturally do not have the same physical student environment. However, online studies are excellent for those who want to combine their studies with work, family life, or other commitments.
– Online studies can be easily combined with work and family by allowing you to schedule studies in the evenings and weekends if that suits you best. Online studies are suitable for those who have the self-discipline to work independently and systematically with the subject, ensuring that assignments are completed and submitted on time, explains Stiberg-Jamt.
Online studies at Noroff do not require physical attendance, so you can live wherever you want, as long as you have access to a computer and the internet.
– The typical online student is of all ages with a wide range of education and work experience, says Stiberg-Jamt..
Noroff offers university and vocational studies online or in classrooms, with campuses in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger og Kristiansand. All study programs have a strong digital focus and include paths within IT, 3D, sound and film, marketing, design, and machine learning.
Do you find it difficult to choose between campus and online studies? Fear not, you can choose Online PLUS, allowing online students at Noroff University College to participate in the physical learning environment at Campus Oslo and Campus Bergen.
IT study programmes
Bachelor in Digital Assurance and Security Management
Get involved in management of security and protection of valuable digital assets. This Bachelor's degree covers IT skills ranging from business processes to database systems, management and IT architecture.
| 3 years | |
| Online | |
| Online PLUS Oslo. Read more here. | |
| Bachelor's Degree, 180 ECTS |
Bachelor in Cyber Security
The programme provides comprehensive training in securing digital systems against online attacks, cybercrime and digital warfare. It equips students for careers focused on strengthening digital defences and protecting data and information.
| 3 years | |
| Online | |
| Online PLUS Oslo. Read more here. | |
| Kristiansand | |
| Bachelor's Degree upon completion |
Cloud Foundations
This program offers practical education where you learn about physical infrastructure, server operations, and cloud technologies with Microsoft Azure as the platform.
| Online Study Program | |
| 1 year | |
| Professional Degree |
Back-end Development (2-year)
Tech education for those aspiring to become a back-end developer with advanced technical programming skills. You will learn advanced features in JavaScript, cloud-based services, and .NET, preparing you to work as a full-stack developer.
| 2 year | |
| Available online | |
| Higher Professional Degree Diploma |
Back-end Development (1-year)
Tech education for those who want to work on the web solutions of the future. The development and maintenance of server-based software solutions are becoming increasingly important, making back-end developers one of the most sought-after roles in the tech industry.
| 1 year | |
| Available online | |
| Professional Degree Diploma |
Secure Application Development and Deployment
A hands-on programme that teaches you how to secure applications throughout the application lifecycle management process, giving you the skills to build security and privacy into the early stages of application development.
| Online Study Programme | |
| 6 months |
Front-end Development
The technology education where visual design meets coding, web, and UX design. The high demand for front-end developers opens doors to a diverse career in IT and design.
| 2 years | |
| Available online | |
| Higher Professional Degree upon completion |
Applied Machine Learning
There are few aspects of our digital lives that are untouched by machine learning. With this programme, you'll teach systems to learn from data. You'll be highly qualified for jobs in AI and can start working straight after graduation.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Bachelor in Applied Data Science
The programme equips you for a dynamic career, fostering collaboration with businesses to understand and harness the vast amounts of data at their disposal. It also cultivates skills in the field of intelligent AI systems.
| 3 years | |
| Online | |
| Online PLUS Oslo. Read more here. | |
| Kristiansand | |
| Bachelor's Degree upon completion |
Python for Finance
The programme gives you the opportunity to combine financial expertise with Python skills, enabling you to contribute to the development of new software products for the financial industry.
| 6 months | |
| Online Study Programme |
Data Analyst (2-year)
Become a sought-after data analyst with advanced skills in databases, cloud services and big data, helping organisations make informed decisions with relevant and up-to-date information.
| 2 years | |
| Available online | |
| Higher Professional Degree |
Data Analyst (1-year)
As a data analyst, you will be one of the most sought-after professionals in today's job market. Your ability to help business leaders make informed decisions using relevant and up-to-date data-driven information will make you a valuable asset.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Bachelor in Digital Forensics and Incident Response
The rise in cyber attacks, ransomware and hacking has created a critical need for skilled digital investigators with the ability to respond to cyber security incidents.
| 3 years | |
| Online | |
| Online PLUS Oslo. Read more here. | |
| Kristiansand, Norway | |
| Bachelor's Degree, 180 ECTS |
Network and IT Security
This programme provides a pragmatic IT education specifically designed to equip individuals with the skills necessary to combat hacking and cybercrime. The acute demand for IT security expertise provides excellent employment opportunities.
| 2 years | |
| Available online | |
| Higher Professional Degree upon completion |
Network and System Administration
The need for network and systems administration skills has never been greater. The management, configuration and administration of data networks and servers has evolved from being the domain of IT companies to a pervasive influence across multiple industries.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Design, Marketing, and Tech Management
Digital Marketing
Enter the world of digital marketing and deliver measurable results through digital advertising, search engine optimisation, content marketing and analytics. This programme focuses on strategic and targeted online marketing and social media practices.
| 1 year | |
| Available online | |
| Oslo, Bergen, Kristiansand, Stavanger | |
| Professional Degree upon completion |
Digital Product Management
This programme provides a hands-on learning journey to help you bring digital innovation to market. You will learn to identify user needs, develop solutions and strategically manage digital products.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Service Design
This programme provides a hands-on education that teaches you to create seamless customer journeys and interactions for any product. Through hands-on work on relevant cases and projects, you will develop your skills and knowledge of industry best practices.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
User Interface Design
An education that provides practical expertise in developing user-friendly designs. As the demand for well-designed digital products grows, so does the need for this expertise.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Graphic Design
The programme offers hands-on training that develops both creative and strategic visual communication skills. Through real-world projects, you'll gain practical experience that equips you for immediate entry into the workplace.
| 2 years (or 1 year) | |
| Available online | |
| Higher Professional Degree upon completion |
Video Marketing in Social Media
Hands-on education that teaches you how to create engaging video content for platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Today, there is a high demand for marketers with video production skills.
| 1 year | |
| Online Studies | |
| Professional Degree |
Technical Design – Architectural
A practical education for those who want to work technologically and creatively in architecture and modelling. You will stand out on the job market with the ability to produce architectural drawings and visualisation materials.
| 1 Year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Technical Design – Mechanical
Hands-on education that teaches you about mechanical assemblies and structures. This knowledge is in demand across a range of industries and can open doors to exciting opportunities in fields such as construction and the oil industry.
| 1 year | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Professional Degree |
Technical Design - Building Information Modelling - BIM
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the key to digital transformation in the construction industry. This hands-on education will prepare you for a career in the construction industry with a future-oriented perspective.
| 2 years | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Higher Professional Degree |
3D and Interactive Media
3D Art and Games Technology
This hands-on education prepares you for a career in the games, animation, visual effects, advertising and visualisation industries. The programme uses the latest technology and working methods to prepare you for the real world.
| 1 year | |
| Available online | |
| Oslo, Bergen | |
| Professional Degree |
3D Art and Games Technology - Interactive
Work with the latest game technology and become an attractive 3D designer with first-hand knowledge of game engines. During the programme, you will create your own game and learn about visualisation and 3D graphics for VR and AR.
| 2 years | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Oslo, Bergen | |
| Higher Professional Degree |
3D Art and Games Technology - Content Creation
This programme gives you the skills to create the visual elements we see on the screen, such as characters and environments in games and films. The need to produce 3D content with high artistic standards is a requirement in many different industries.
| 2 years | |
| Online Study Programme | |
| Oslo, Bergen | |
| Higher Professional Degree |
Bachelor in Interactive Media - Animation
This programme will equip you with the skills to design and animate 3D characters, an increasingly important skill in the entertainment and creative industries, opening the door to a wide range of exciting career opportunities.
| 3 years | |
| Online | |
| Online PLUS Oslo. Read more here. | |
| Kristiansand | |
| Bachelor's Degree upon completion |
Bachelor in Interactive Media - Games
This programme will provide you with a diverse range of game design skills and the knowledge needed to succeed in the industry. You will have the opportunity to build a portfolio that will open doors in an exciting and ever-evolving field.
| 3 years | |
| Online | |
| Online PLUS Oslo. Read more here. | |
| Kristiansand | |
| Bachelor's Degree upon completion |
Music and Film
Sound and Music Production
This programme is designed for individuals who wish to work creatively or technically with music and sound. The degree is made for those who aspire to become artists, composers, producers, or work with sound and film music.
| 2 years (or 1 year) | |
| Oslo, Bergen | |
| Higher Professional Degree |
Film Production
This programme provides practical skills training for those wishing to work in the film industry. During the degree, you will work on student productions and receive comprehensive training on the equipment used in today's film industry.
| 2 years (or 1 year) | |
| Oslo, Bergen | |
| Higher Professional Degree |