In 2003, the
RNoNA was given status as an independent institution under the Act relating to
Universities and University Colleges, and is accredited as a state college with
the right to award bachelor degrees. The Academy is also accredited to develop
new study programmes at undergraduate level, and evaluate degrees from other
institutions. This is relevant in order to award bachelor degrees in military
studies to cadets who graduated before 2003 and have completed undergraduate
studies at other military or civilian institutions.
A
fter several years in service, some officers go
on to do military graduate studies leading to a master’s degree at the
Norwegian Defence University College in Oslo. Officers may also do graduate
studies at civilian institutions within various subjects, according to the
needs of the Navy.
The e
ducation at RNoNA satisfies the international
demands set down by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and STCW 95
(International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers), and gives the highest maritime certificates (D1
for the navigation programme and M1 for the naval engineer programme)
.
The RNoNA has developed a quality management
system based on the ISO 9001.2008 standard, and this has been approved both by
NOKUT, The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and the
Norwegian Maritime Directorate.