Mass Killer Breivik To Study For Diploma

The Norwegian far-right extremist who killed 77 people in a shooting and bombing rampage four years ago is to study for a university qualification.

Anders Behring Breivik, who is serving a 21-year prison sentence for bombing government buildings in Oslo before opening fire at a youth camp, has been granted permission to join the University of Oslo's political science programme.

He had applied to join the course two years ago but he was refused as they deemed his qualifications not good enough.

The university appears to have changed its mind, however, and the 36-year-old will begin his studies next month.

University Rector Ole Petter Ottersen said Breivik will remain in his cell to study, adding: "all inmates in Norwegian prisons are entitled to higher education in Norway if they meet the admission requirements."

Contact between Breivik and the university will take place via a contact person but prison rules will stop him from entering the campus, attending classes or having contact with students or staff.

Last month, the head of the university's politics department told media that Breivik would struggle to complete his diploma, as more than half of the course involved attending seminars and face-to-face meetings.

The news has sparked debate in Norway over whether someone convicted of such a crime should be allowed to further their study but the country's prison system heavily focused on rehabilitation.