About the specialisation
Knowledge affects people all around the world in various ways, through politics, economics, social movements and education. With higher education, being the key knowledge institution in any society there is a growing demand for higher education expertise and experts.
Higher Education Studies (HES) is one of the specialisations in our international Master’s in Education programme. It focuses on higher education as the main institutionalised domain in any society where the two primary knowledge processes of education and research come together.
The programme covers:
- international and supranational dimensions
- national and regional levels
- universities and colleges as organisations from the central leadership to the study programme/curriculum level
- teaching and student learning
The relationships between higher education governance, policy and organisation, and teaching and learning processes are discussed and interpreted from various disciplinary perspectives.
This implies an understanding of the multi-level and multi-actor relationships in areas such as:
- quality enhancement and curriculum development
- higher education governance and policy
- the use of digital technologies
- funding, human resources management
- student support
This specialisation aims to enhance its students’ research skills and professional competences. The students will benefit from a highly experienced academic and administrative support structure, as well as our broad global network of scholars and practitioners in higher education, including over 300 alumni from all over the world.
Study environment
We offer a highly interactive and supportive environment. You have the unique opportunity to study in an international environment, learn from each other’s experience, and go beyond the textbooks. During your studies, you will have some joint courses with the Education and Social Change: Childhood and Youth Studies specialisation. We encourage all students to interact between the specialisations, both academically and socially.
There are numerous student societies, which all UiO students may join.
If you have an interest in writing, you can write for Pedagogisk Profil, which is a student-driven magazine. You can also contribute to the study environment by joining Kjellerutvalget – the organisation responsible for the Faculty's student pub, or you can get involved with the UV – Student Union and be a representative of the students at the faculty.
Further studies and career opportunities
This is highly relevant for candidates involved in, or aspiring to become involved in higher education. Be it as academic teachers and researchers, institutional administrators, curriculum managers, policy-makers, staff of national or international agencies, or consultants.
Our graduates will obtain an academic foundation that will make them attractive for a wide range of positions related to children and youth. Your career path can take place in both Norway and internationally, in various bilateral and multilateral organisations, ministries, research centres and the higher education sector. Read more about career prospects here.
As a graduate, you are eligible to apply to PhD programmes in Norway and elsewhere.
You can find more information about further studies and career opportunities on our website. We have also interviewed some of our alumni on what they have been doing after graduating from the University of Oslo.