The Directorate for Higher Education and Competence has national responsibility for the management of higher education, higher vocational education and competence policy in Norway. As a professional advisor to the Ministry of Education, the Directorate implements policy and coordinates measures within the education sector. This includes, among other things, a focus on quality in education and training, as well as the development of programmes and calls for proposals for the sector.
The Directorate also offers services such as career guidance and information on educational choices, as well as statistics on applicants and study places. It actively works on the recognition of education from abroad and promotes adult education and lifelong learning. Through insight into competence needs in the working world, the Directorate contributes to ensuring that the labour market has access to qualified labour, while at the same time promoting digital transformation in universities and university colleges.