Read the interesting results of a survey conducted among 5000 Norwegian students abroad!
The survey was conducted on demand from the Norwegian Center for International Cooperation in Education (SIU). The goal of the survey was to find out why Norwegian students choose to study abroad, how they choose country / institution and how they collect information. Below is a summary of the results:
Why do Norwegians choose to study abroad?
• Interesting/exciting to study in a foreign country
• The prospect of an international career
• Desire to experience a different culture
• Desire to take a break from home / usual environment
• Opportunity to obtain financial support
• Desire to learn / improve language skills
• Better quality of education abroad
• Lack of specific education in Norway
• Failure to get into desired education in Norway (especially medicine, dentistry, veterinary studies and psychology)
How do students choose country and institution?
• The language of the chosen country is important, or language of programs offered at the institution (most students choose English speaking countries or programs offered in English).
• Desire to study at a specific institution with a good reputation / high ranking.
• Good access of information about the institution, well marketed educational programs and easy application process.
• One third indicates that proximity to Norway is important.
How do Norwegian students collect information about studying abroad?
• Most students use the institutions’ websites when searching for information.
• Some use ranking lists and agents.
• Referrals from friends and family are also important.
• Information from ANSA (the student organization for Norwegian students abroad).
Who are they? Some characteristics of Norwegian students abroad:
• More women than men study abroad (approximately 63%)
• The average age is 23,3 years
• 85% have parents with higher education
• Many of the students have previous international experience and/or their parents have lived abroad before.
• More than half of the respondents have relatively high grades from high school (average of 4,5 or higher). 8% have top grades (5,5 or higher)
• One third have studied in Norway before they started studying abroad
