Bachelor's Programme in Bilingual Education, Bachelors Programme

General study competence and an average grade of 3,0 in Norwegian language (393 hours), as well as documented bilingual proficiency.

In addition to the entry requirements as stated in the regulation of entry to higher education the following additional requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The applicant’s native language cannot be English or a Scandinavian language.
2. Native language competence must be verified in one of the following ways:
   a) Validated documentation of completed high school or higher education in the native language.
   b) Passed exam in the native language with an average grade of 4 as an additional high school foreign language subject, equal to level 2 in the high school curriculum.

The programme is a 3-year teacher education, comprised of compulsory pedagogy subjects and optional school subjects. The programme equals 180 ECTS credits. There is a possibility to apply for approval of previous education either NORSEC evaluated or from other Norwegian higher education institutions.

The students can choose to complete the programme either full time over 3 years or part time over 6 years.

The programme is specifically tailored for bilingual people with minority language backgrounds preferably with a basic knowledge of working in the Norwegian school system.

After completing the programme the students will have developed:

• Professional competence: Knowledge about children, childhood and educational work with children and youth in the Norwegian elementary school.
• Didactic competence: Knowledge of and ability to plan, implement and evaluate inclusive education.
• Social competence: Understanding the importance of a learning environment characterized by cooperation, mutual respect and the joy of mastering for everyone, while understanding and having the ability to cooperate in a school–home enviroment, developing skills in leadership and educational guidance.
• Change and development expertise: Ability to assess the subject development and social changes that have significance for teaching, ability to initiate and adapt to changes within their own institution (school). Reflect on and show the willingness and ability to change practice as a result of received guidance and tutoring.
• Professional competence: Ability to reflect on the schools values, over their own values, attitudes and behavior, ethical challenges in the teaching profession

Through the program the students have enhanced their awareness and attitude to their own cultural background and their job as a bilingual and multicultural model and as a culture intermediary to both children from their own minority group, from other minority groups and from the dominant group.

The programme is organized as either a full time or part time study with a combination of meetings comprised of physical lectures and classwork. Students are also expected to fulfill digital assignments and tutorials from home. The compulsory and optional subjects normally have the physical meetings on campus in Kristiansand within the same week. During a semester there will normally be approximately 5 physical meetings. During the meetings, students will gain insight into and experience different working methods such as problem based learning, storyline and project work. Teaching (work forms) varies between independent study, group discussions, lectures, seminars and oral presentations.

The teaching language is Norwegian.

Requirements for participation in practice:

• A declaration of secrecy is to be signed electronic in the studentweb.
• A clean, less than 3 months old, Police record that shows that the student is not accused or convicted of any sexual assaults towards children, must be presented at the start of the programme.

It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer (laptop) for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d.

Students who come from or have been more than 3 months in countries outside Western Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are required to undergo a tuberculosis examination.

Requirements for documentation of bilingual competence:

• Applicants must fill out a self-declaration form that maps the degree of bilingualism.
• Applicants must cover all expenses in connection with documentation of bilingualism.

Students are admitted to the programme every three years.