Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation

In everyday life, work, sports, and research, we are constantly comparing and ranking people and their achievements by means of tests, assessments, and evaluations. Have you ever asked yourself if there is a science behind it? Our international Master´s programme trains students to become measurement specialists in the social and behavioral sciences. We offer rigorous training in research methods and data analysis using the free software environment R for statistical computing and graphics.

About the programme

Assessment and evaluation systems are introduced in Norway, in the Nordic countries, and all across the world to provide stakeholders at different levels with data so that they are able to monitor learning and assure the quality of education. Assessment refers to a wide variety of methods and measurement tools used for multiple purposes:

• Assessment of learning is the typical assessment involving measurement of learning and achievement against set outcomes and standards. It can happen on the individual, institutional or system level and often ends up producing a summary of performance in terms of score, rank or grade, for example used in selection and admission decisions or for monitoring purposes.
• Assessment for learning involves gathering evidence about individuals´ knowledge, understanding, and skills, throughout the teaching and learning process to inform instruction practices. It usually has a more formative nature as the focus is often on developing effective instruction and providing diagnostic feedback to individuals.
• Assessment as learning involves individuals actively monitoring their own learning and using a range of strategies (e.g., peer and self-assessment and reflection) to decide what they know and can do and what they need to learn next. This is an approach often taken by autonomous learning technology programs.

Data on these types of assessments can be and are systematically collected, analysed, and used for evaluating and answering questions about the effectiveness and efficiency of various interventions, policy changes, programs, and project innovations in education. The types of assessments span the whole spectrum, from small-scale diagnostic or in-class tests to large-scale national standardized examinations or international assessments that compare educational systems between participating countries.

As assessment and evaluation have become essential in evidence-based education, there is a growing demand from both public and private sectors for professionals that bridge the field of academic research and professional practice when working with assessments and evaluations that drive evidence-based decision-making. Highly specialized method training is necessary for soundly developing, administering, analysing, and reporting the results from any assessment or evaluation.

Study environment

We know that students who thrive are students who are more likely to succeed academically. That is why we want you to enjoy being a student at CEMO!

We start the first semester with a meeting for all new students where you will get practical information about the studies as well as get to meet the academic and administrative coordinators for the programme. We have two student cohorts of approx. 20 students each from all over the world, which will give you an international network. We also have a Student Academic Organisation for the master’s programme that invite students to both social and academic events.

The University of Oslo has a rich student life with over 200 student organisations. We encourage all our students to get involved socially to enrich their student life. As a student, you have access to a variety of student areas, both for studies and social activities, in close proximity to the research environments.

• Information about the Student Academic Organisation at CEMO
• Student life at the Faculty of Educational Sciences

Further studies and career opportunities

After you have completed the master’s programme, you will have a versatile background that prepares you to work as a researcher in the social sciences, or to work with statistics and data analysis in both private and state-owned enterprises.

As a graduate, you are eligible to apply to PhD programmes in Norway and elsewhere.

You can find more information about further studies and career opportunities on our webpage. We have also interviewed some of our alumni on what they have been doing after graduating from the University of Oslo.

Honours certificate

Are you academically ambitious? It is possible to supplement your master's degree with an honours certificate worth 20 credits. You take the certificate concurrently with the master´s programme.