University studies both at home and abroad
Bjørknes has in recent years established itself as a provider of university education in Norway.
In 2006, Bjørknes College started to offer a number of university courses in Oslo with ECTS credits. They are approved by Norwegian quality assurance authorities and students attending the programs are entitled to funding through the State Educational Loan Fund in Norway. These courses are as following:
* Practical Philosophy (30 ECTS credits)
* Media and Communications (60 ECTS credits)
* Medical Foundation Year (60 ECTS credits)
* Peace and Conflict studies (60 ECT credits)
In addition to the above programs, Bjørknes College has since 1999 also offered a suite of bi-national educational programs in cooperation with universities abroad.
These unique programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level, offer students the opportunity to take the first year (for bachelor students) or first semester (for master students) of their university studies at Bjørknes in Oslo before transferring to their university abroad for the remainder of their studies.
The programs have been met with considerable success, and students are able to choose from a range of options at the Bachelor's level (Physiotherapy, Nursing, and Communications) as well as Peace and Conflict Studies and International Studies at a graduate level.
In these masters programs, Bjørknes College has chosen to engage The International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO) in the development of the Oslo semester modules and the teaching of these. In this way, these innovative and exciting programs bring together academics at the forefront of international relations, international studies and peace and conflict research from both sides of the globe.
Since all courses are taught in English, these prestigious programs have attracted interest from students worldwide, and applicants apply from Australia, France, Portugal, Germany, Mexico, Canada, UK, and the US. Indeed, during the former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik's visit to Australia in 2005, he took the time to meet Bjørknes students completing their program in Canberra.