Vg1, Vg2 and Vg3
Upper secondary education is divided into three levels: Vg1, Vg2, and Vg3.
Each level has its own goals, subjects, and opportunities, and the structure varies between academic and vocational programmes.
This overview provides an outline of what to expect at each level, and how the levels are connected on the path toward either university admission certification or a vocational qualification.
The education takes place in school and consists of both common core subjects (such as Norwegian, mathematics and English) and programme subjects from your education programme.
General studies
- The education is mostly theoretical.
- Most of the school lessons are used for common core subjects.
- You have two or three programme subjects (does not apply to specialization in generalstudies).
Vocational
- Vg1 is to give you a basic education in work processes, techniques and tools that are typical for your education programme.
- Most of the lessons are used for programme subjects.
- You also have the subject vocational specialization with the opportunity to try out relevant recognized trades in training establishments.
At Vg2 you choose between the programme areas that are to be found within the education programme you chose at Vg1.
General studies
- In addition to the common core subjects, you choose between different programme subjects according to certain rules.
- The education takes place in school.
Vocational
- You choose a programme area and therefore get the opportunity to specialize more.
- For most pupils, the education takes place in school.
- You have more hours for the subject vocational specialization than at Vg1.
- There are also some special paths where you get training in an enterprise (year 3) after Vg1.
Vg3 builds on the Vg2 you attended, and takes place either in school or in an enterprise.
General studies
- You continue with the programme area you chose at Vg2, and choose more specialization in programme subjects or new programme subjects in accordance with certain rules.
- The education takes place in school.
- With an approved certificate from Vg3, you can apply to higher education at university colleges and university.
Vocational
- You choose between programme areas that build on the Vg2 you went to, and now you specialize further.
- Most programme areas at Vg3 are recognized trades. You then receive the training as an apprentice in an enterprise, and the apprenticeship takes 2 years.
- Some programme areas are given at Vg3 as 1 year’s education in school.
- A few vocational paths have Vg3 in school before they finish with 1.5 or 2 years’ apprenticeship in an enterprise.
Survey of the whole education path
The structure of upper secondary education and training is presented on the key map.
- Yellow: The education takes place in school
- Green: The education takes place in an enterprise
- Blue: The education is completed and passed, and you have the competence to go out to work or apply for higher education.
Cross-area specialization
In some cases you may «cross» from one education programme or programme area to another. This is called cross-area specialization.
In the structure maps, cross-area specializations are shown with a blue cross in front of the programme areas on Vg2 or Vg3 which in reality belong to other education programmes.
In those cases where it is possible to have cross-over specialization from one education programme/programme area to another, all applicants compete on equal terms, regardless of which Vg1 or Vg2 they come from.
Transition from Vg1 programme for general studies to Vg2 vocational studies
Some county authorities offer a «cross-over» option where after completing the Vg1 programme for geneal studies you can transfer to Vg2 vocational studies and still complete your education within the normal time period.
- You can apply for all programme areas in Vg2.
- Because you have already completed the requirement for common core subjects in Vg2 vocational studies, you will use these teaching hours for the subject entitled catching up on vocational competence.
- In this subject, you will acquire the vocational competence in the Vg1 programme subjects. The county authority determines which competence goals you will need to satisy so you can catch up your vocational competence.
- You must have an overall achievement grade in the subject, but you do not need to sit for an examination.
- In addition, you will follow the ordinary teaching in Vg2 (programme subjects, vocational in-depth subjects and physical education) along equal lines with the other pupils in the Vg2 vocational studies.
The option of transferring from the Vg1 programme for general studies to Vg2 vocational studies is not a right you have as a pupil, but rather an option the county authority can choose to offer. Contact your county authority if you want more information about this option.
