Teaching of psychology in Norway

Psychology as a school subject is first taught in the first and second year of upper secondary school (age 16-19 years) in Norway. It is an optional subject that is not required for admission to universities.

The psychology subject is based upon a national curriculum that was introduced in 2008 and renewed in 2021. The core elements of this curriculum are thoughts (cognition), emotions and behaviour, human development and interaction, and scientific and critical thinking.

• The first year of psychology (Psychology 1) covers perspectives on psychology, development, evolution and biology, learning and cognition, and stress and crisis.

The Students

The number of psychology students has increased from approximately 400 students in 2008 to 17,929 students in 2023-24. Approximately 15% of the students in upper secondary school general education choose psychology as a subject.

Teacher education

Teachers educated after 2014 are required to have at least one year of psychology studies at university level to teach psychology in high schools. A minority of psychology teachers have formal education in psychology didactics as part of their teacher training, but the numbers are increasing.

Psychology teachers' association

There is as yet no psychology teachers' association in Norway.

Contact
Åge Diseth
Send a message to Åge Diseth

Documents

Psychology teaching in Norway - presentation