Thousands of students accepted into higher education programs in Norway but enrollment declines in welfare-related fields

Thousands of students received exciting news after midnight when they checked their e-boxes to see if they had been accepted into their chosen higher education programs. This year, a total of 61,351 applicants have been admitted, according to new data. However, there is concern regarding the decline in enrollment for several vital welfare-related programs.

The number of students admitted to education programs for teachers and childcare specialists has decreased compared to last year. Specifically, enrollments in pedagogy programs dropped by eight percent and in teaching programs by six percent. This issue worries the country’s education and research minister, who acknowledges the need for balance in the education system.

The figures indicate that despite being critical, fewer students are opting for careers in fields like teaching and nursing. The following statistics illustrate the decline in enrollment for welfare programs in 2024 compared to 2023:

– Pedagogical programs: 3,645 (3,968 in 2023)
– Teaching programs: 2,109 (2,253 in 2023)
– Social work programs: 2,103 (2,075 in 2023)
– Nursing programs: 3,368 (3,351 in 2023)

The stagnation in the number of nursing and social work students is particularly concerning. Education leaders advocate for reform in professional education, suggesting enhanced quality and increased study hours to attract more students.

Conversely, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs have shown a slight increase, with 15,595 applicants this year—up by two percent. This trend has been attributed to combined efforts by politicians, educational institutions, and organizations to promote career opportunities in STEM fields, indicating that proactive strategies could also benefit welfare programs in attracting more students.