Program Overview

Course Overview

The course "Economics of Education" is offered at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). This course is no longer taught and is only available for examination.

Course Details

• Course Code: SÏK3521
• Credits: 15
• Level: Second degree level
• Language of Instruction: English and Norwegian
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination Arrangement: School exam

About the Course

Course Content

The course covers the role and significance of human capital for individuals and the economy. It discusses how globalization and technological progress affect the demand for human capital. The main part of the course includes theories for individual educational choice, educational production, and the role of the design of the educational system.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

• Supply of and demand for human capital
• Importance of human capital for earnings and economic growth
• Effects of educational policies on school quality and the amount of human capital in society
• Characteristics of effective schools and high-quality leadership

Skills

• Criticize and evaluate findings in relevant journal articles and reports
• Explain and evaluate different types of governing systems in education
• Discuss how governing systems influence the behavior of actors within the educational sector

General Competence

• Read and understand reports and research articles dealing with issues discussed in the course
• Use the content of the course in academic work, such as a master's thesis

Learning Methods and Activities

• 4 hours of lectures every week
• Compulsory activity with specific requirements announced at the beginning of the term
• Term papers can be written as a joint project
• The course is an optional master's course and is not taught every semester

Compulsory Assignments

• Obligatory course work

Specific Conditions

• Admission to a program of study is required:
  • Economics (MSÏK)
  • Economics (MSÏK/5)
  • Financial Economics (MFINÏK)

Recommended Previous Knowledge

• Compulsory courses in Master of Science in Economics

Required Previous Knowledge

• None

Course Materials

• Announced at the beginning of the term

Credit Reductions

• The course has academic overlap with other courses. If overlapping courses are taken, a credit reduction will be applied to the course with the lowest grade. If grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.
• Overlapping courses:
  • SÏK3511 (15 sp, Autumn 2007)
  • SÏK8621 (10 sp, Autumn 2010)
  • SÏK3532 (7.5 sp, Autumn 2025)

Subject Areas

• Economics
• Social Sciences

Examination Details

• Examination Arrangement: School exam
• Grade: Letter grades
• Ordinary Examination - Autumn 2025:
  • School exam
  • Weighting: 100/100
  • Examination aids: Code C
  • Date and Time: 09:00
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Exam system: Inspera Assessment
• Ordinary Examination - Spring 2026:
  • School exam
  • Weighting: 100/100
  • Examination aids: Code C
  • Date and Time: 09:00
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Exam system: Inspera Assessment