STUDY IN NORWAY

Study in Norway

2009-03-14T08:37:00.001-07:00

Norway offers you a unique student experience and Norwegian institutions of higher education welcome applications sent by qualified students from all over the world.

Internationalisation is a priority within all sectors of the Norwegian education system, and universities and university colleges are constantly working to facilitate for international students. Nearly 12 000 foreign nationals are currently enrolled at Norwegian institutions of higher education. International students may apply for admission to a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. You may come to Norway as student through established exchange programmes, institutional agreements, or as a so called "free mover", where you arrange the stay by yourself (type of study, length and financing).

Quality education
With a wide range of high quality courses and great flexibility, Norwegian institutions prove to be an ideal study destination. From vocational subjects to postgraduate and doctorate level, there are plenty of opportunities for students to fulfil their ambitions. You will also benefit from the informal atmosphere at Norwegian universities and university colleges, where teachers are easily approachable and tuition often takes place in small groups. Most institutions also have well equipped computer facilities with free Internet access.

Study off the beaten track
In our northern corner of the world you can combine your studies with exciting outdoor activities, both winter and summer. You can see the Aurora Borealis ("Northern lights"), experience the midnight sun, fjords and mountains. Challenge yourself with skiing, white water rafting or climbing. Or simply enjoy the fresh air, clean water and lots and lots of space. As a student in Norway you will never be short of possibilities for unique nature experiences.

Minifacts about Norway

2009-03-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

Minifacts About Norway is a publication available both in print and on the web that gives an overview about many aspects of Norway. It is compiled by the Statistics Norway on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Editions in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic are also available.

Minifacts about Norway

Official name
The Kingdom of Norway

System of government
Constitutional monarchy

Geographic location
Located in Northern Europe with borders to Sweden, Finland and Russia.

Area
The Kingdom of Norway: 385 155 km2
Mainland: 323 758 km2 (7.6 per cent protected)
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: 61 397 km2 (57.1 per cent protected)

Length of coastline
25 148 km, including fjords

Largest lake
Mjøsa, 362 sq. km

Highest mountain
Galdhøpiggen, 2 469 m

Population
4 681 134 (as of 1 January 2007)

Capital city
Oslo, population: 548 617 (as of January 1, 2007)

Monetary unit
Norwegian kroner, NOK
1 USD = NOK 6,42 (March 2007)
1 EUR = NOK 8,38 (March 2007)

Economic indicators
Inflation rate, 2004: 0,4 per cent
Gross domestic product (GDP), 2005: NOK 1 939 217 million
Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, 2004: USD 38 000

Language
Norwegian ("Bokmål" and "Nynorsk") and the "Sámi" language of the indigenous Sámi people in some areas (mainly in the North of Norway).

State Church
Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran)

External resources:

:: Minifacts About Norway (in English)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in French)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in German)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in Spanish)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in Portuguese)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in Russian)

::Minifacts About Norway (in Japanese)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in Chinese)

:: Minifacts About Norway (in Arabic) [pdf]

:: The Norway Portal
Norway - The official site. Locate Norwegian embassies and consulate generals around the world. Every site has various information about Norway.

Publications

2009-03-14T08:28:00.001-07:00

Are you considering Norway as a study- or research destination? We have several online versions of our publications available for viewing/download. Some of the publications are also available in language versions other than English.

Masters Catalogue 2008/2009

This catalogue presents essential information about the 200 Masters programmes taught in English at institutions of higher education in Norway.

For a more in-depth knowledge about the individual courses, we recommend that you contact the institutions directly. You will find the relevant contact details listed under each institution.

[Online version w/latest updates and search]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guide to Higher Education in Norway
In this brochure you will find a short description of Norway´s educational system, information about our target areas within research and some practical information about how to apply for a student residence permit.

In addition you will also find a general description of life in Norway, including some useful facts about the Norwegian society.

Download pdf-versions:
[English] [Française] [Russian]
[German] [Spanish] [Portuguese]
[Polish]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Brief Guide to Living in Norway
This booklet is for anyone who is thinking about living in Norway. A crash course in Norway, if you like.

It’s designed to give you a brief guide to Norwegian society and culture; lifestyle, behaviour and opinions. We hope that this brochure will make it easier to make the decision, easier to arrive in Norway and easier to fit in, since you’ll know a few things about what to expect.

[Download pdf-version]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Petroleum Studies in Norway
This publication presents study programmes aimed at international students within the petroleum field. After almost 40 years of experience in the petroleum industry, Norway has acquired a unique knowledge in the field. The country is in the forefront in the areas of technology and environmental protection, and building up expertise in the field has been an important element in the petroleum policy.

Norwegian universities and university colleges offer a wide range of programmes and courses within petroleum engineering, petroleum-related geosciences and other areas such as petroleum law and arctic engineering.

[Download pdf-version]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marine Studies in Norway

FAQ

2009-03-14T08:26:00.001-07:00

On this page we have collected some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning studies in Norway. We encourage you to look through the list before making an inquiry.

Where do I get application forms and where do I send my application?
Application forms should be requested from the individual institution (e.g. fom their website). All applications should also be sent directly to the institutions. Please note that StudyinNorway.no cannot provide application forms, nor can we process your application.
:: Read more

My subject of interest is [ your subject]. How can I find institutions that offer courses or programmes in this subject?
If you are seeking Masters programmes where the language of instruction is English, you should go to our online catalogue and browse by subject area.
:: Online Masters programmes catalogue
In order to find undergraduate courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian, you should visit the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).
:: UCAS (search only available in Norwegian)
For undergraduate courses and Ph.D. programmes in English you will have to check with each institution individually.
:: List of institutions

Am I allowed to work as a student in Norway?
Yes, students may be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Certain restrictions do apply.
:: Read more

Do I need a visa to study in Norway?
All students who plan to stay in Norway for more than three months will need a Student Residence Permit. Requirements and procedures depend on your current country of residency.
:: Read more

Do I need a health insurance from my home country?
The regulations concerning health insurance depend on your current country of residency.
:: Read more

I am from [ your country]. Am I eligible for any special scholarships?
Several scholarships and financial schemes are available for foreign students. Eligibility depends on your current country of residency and level of completed education.
:: Read more

What are the tuition fees at Norwegian institutions?
Generally, universities and state university colleges do not charge tuition fees. This also applies for foreign students. However, certain programmes/courses may have fees. Private institutions normally do charge tuition fees.
:: Read more

What are the living expenses in Norway?
Living expenses in Norway are considered to be higher than in many other countries. You should expect to have NOK 8 000,- per month for subsistence. Requirements for subsistence are also determined by regulations concerning the Student Residence Permit.
:: Read more

Living in Norway

2009-03-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

Norway is one of the three Scandinavian countries in the Northern part of Europe. With a population of 4,6 million Norway is not among the most crowded places on the planet. But we very much enjoy the space and our diverse nature, and visitors are often astonished by Norwegians' active way of life. So don't get surprised if your Norwegian friends insist on going hiking, even if the weather maybe is more suitable for staying in the sofa.

Explore the unknown and challenge your own limits - the people of Norway has never been afraid of going their own ways. A thousand years ago the Vikings sailed their ships south to the Mediterranian, east to the Black Sea and all the way west to Greenland, and many historians claim they even made it to New Foundland in North America.

Today, Norway is a modern country where our explorative mindset is geared towards technology, innovation and developing a knowledge based society. We also continue to further develop our oil & gas industry, fisheries and traditional industrial areas.

Thriving on the top of Europe
Norway is a European country even though we are not part of the European Union (EU). But through the EEA-agreement we are fully integrated with the large European community in regards to everything from trade and economy to education and research. And as a participant in the Schengen agreement, travel to and from Norway is easy for people with legal residency in another Schengen country.

For the last four years the United Nations (UN) has ranked Norway as having the highest standard of living in the world. This annual ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with expected length of lifetime, but also factors like human rights and cultural freedom. Norway is weighed high for its high literacy rate in addition to educational levels and material wealth.

Cold country? Warm people!
Ok, the cat is out of the box - there are no palm trees in Norway! But in the summer we enjoy periods with warm weather, and due to the Gulf Stream the coastal areas are rather mild in the winter time. Nevertheless, you should bring warm clothing when visiting Norway in the winter.

Norwegians have a reputation of being somewhat introvert and difficult to get to know. But this should just be perceived as a first impression misunderstanding. Norwegians are generally both welcoming and open minded towards foreigners. If we don't take the first step, don't be afraid to approach us for a conversation. We have a direct way of communicating and often speak out our opinions.

Norwegian society

2009-03-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

Norwegian values are rooted in egalitarian ideals. At the beginning of the 20th century, we began enacting fairly radical welfare laws, culminating in the post-war years' sweeping reforms that turned Norway into the progressive welfare state it is today. The welfare state is still the ideal for most Norwegians, not least because it seems to be doing quite well.

Norway undoubtedly has one of the best welfare systems in the world, making sure that people who are sick and unable to work, or who are unemployed for whatever reason are not left out in the cold, but are given support so that they are able to live with dignity. this, coupled with a strong public education system and public health care system, has lead to a society in which it is easier to bounce back from a bad start in life, or a bad year.

We like to think that it is these ideals, and not just our monetary wealth, that has made the United Nations consistently rank Norway as the best country in which to live in recent years.

Egality and equality
The egalitarian values which are at the root of the welfare state also manifest themselves throughout Norwegian society in many ways - for instance in the field of gender equality. The novel idea that women are equal to men and should therefore have an equal say in running society did take some time to catch hold in most of the world, but Norway was in the lead: it was one of the first nations to give women the right to vote. Norway was also among the first countries in the world to elect a female prime minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, who was elected prime minister of Norway in 1981 (and had eight women in her cabinet, an incredible number at the time), and who later served in that position for most of the late eighties and the first half of the nineties.

Because of this, and active government support of gender equality, women have been steadily climbing in standing over the past fifty years. Still, the goal of total equality remains a long way off: while forty percent of the representatives in Parliament are female, only one in every ten company directors are women. Gender equality has certainly changed the Norwegian male’s role as a father.

Norway has a paternity leave quota, so that fathers can also take extended time off to be with their children. This has helped make the mixing of careers and family a lot easier.

New cultures arrive
Norway is still new at multiculturalism. From being a mostly ethnically homogenous society, Norway has gone to being a globalised, culturally diverse nation with massive immigrant communities, and has done so in just 35 years. Forty years ago, most Norwegians had never seen anyone with dark skin, and today nearly a quarter of the citizens of the capital city, Oslo, are immigrants, as is a little over 8% of the total population of Norway.

The transition process has not been easy or painless, but while there is still some cultural tension between immigrants and ethnic Norwegians, Norway seems to be learning fast. Most people, particularly in cities, view multi-ethnicity as a natural part of their everyday life.

Lifestyle

2009-03-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

Outside of the cities, Norway is mostly very rugged terrain: mountainous regions cover most of Norway, interspersed with valleys, fjords and the occasional glacier. The scenery is, to put it plainly, spectacular, with breathtaking vistas almost everywhere.

The fact that most of Norway is made of rock also turns Norway into one of the least populated countries in europe. only iceland has less people per square mile than Norway. This means that you don’t have to go very far outside the cities before you’re out of the populated areas (in most cases, less than an hour of walking out of the city centre will get you into semi-wilderness).

The great outdoors
Norwegians do live in the strangest of places, often quite far away from city centres. You’ll be surprised at the kind of places it is possible to build a house. It is not uncommon to find a house on some grassy patch on an outcropping far above a fjord; or to find 9 tiny houses on a craggy piece of rock out in the ocean, with the inhabitants making a living farming sheep.

However, many Norwegians have getaway cabins ("hytte") in more remote areas, and head there during vacations and national holidays. These are often very simple accommodations, with bunk beds, no running water and outdoor toilets. But this is not really to get away from people. It should also be remembered that these cabins also constitute a social scene. One goes there with friends and family to spend time together. If nothing else, they point to the strange need Norwegians have for taking long, gruelling hikes or ski trips through the wilderness.

When living in Norway you should just familiarise yourself with the Norwegian term "Gå på tur" (literally "Go for a hike"). We can do it any day of the week, in the morning or late at night. For a newbie this activity may seem being without any useful purpose as the goal normally is not to get from point A to point B, but rather the process of walking itself. So, do not fear when your friends drag you out of bed a Sunday morning to go hiking - even though you had planned a quiet day in front of the television.

The social Norwegian
The reputation that Norwegians have for being unsociable is thoroughly disproven several times a year. Norway’s National
Day celebrations on May 17th, for instance. The National Day celebrates Norway’s first constitution of 1814, and is a celebration of spring and warm weather. The traditional way of celebrating this is to dress up in one’s finest clothes - often the national costumes ‘bunad’ - and take to the streets (which are cleared of cars for the occasion) in great throngs to enjoy parades, music and performances.

A new lifestyle
It should also be noted that the typical Norwegian way of life, if such a notion still makes sense, is changing rapidly, and that the last two generations’ lifestyle have had an incredible impact on the shape and structure of Norwegian society and the Norwegian mentality. The young tend to travel much more than their parents and grandparents, they spend far more time and money at restaurants and bars, and they are less prone to the simple outdoor life that Norwegians traditionally lived.

With the unprecedented levels of economic wealth now enjoyed by most Norwegians, many prefer to travel the world for their holidays – or they build big luxury cabins that wouldn’t have been considered a “hytte” twenty years ago. What people do, how they define themselves, is changing drastically with each generation. today, people are trying to find a place in the information economy.

Education patterns; gender roles and family structures; social patterns and habits; values and cultural status: it’s all changing with each passing month. What Norway is, is hard to define. But that this is an important time in Norwegian history is for certain.

culture

2009-03-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

For such a small population, Norway has an incredibly rich, accomplished and varied cultural scene, thanks in part to government funding of artists
and institutions through our Arts Council Norway, which finances artists of all kinds across Norway.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) is thought of by most people as Norway’s greatest composer. Grieg’s music is romantic with a nationalist streak, using scales and modes from Norwegian folk music to create beautiful, modern (for its time, that is) impressionistic pieces. His most famous works are his Lyrical Pieces for piano, his Piano Concerto in A Minor and his incidental music to Henrik ibsen’s Peer Gynt.

Norway also has some internationally renowned classical performers, like piano player Leif Ove Andsnes, widely regarded as one of the greatest classical music performers in the world, and winner of several Grammy Awards. He is particularly well known for his interpretations of Grieg’s music, and is often seen in Grieg’s home town of Bergen. The cellist Truls Mørk is also a well-known international performer of Grieg’s music, and is an outstanding performer both of chamber music and as a soloist for an orchestra.

JAZZ:. Norway’s jazz scene is phenomenal. Everyone agrees that Norway has one of the most interesting jazz scenes in Europe, with each successive generation of musicians reinventing and creating their own musical language, from the world-influenced, almost-ambient “mountain jazz” of the 80s and early 90s through to the electronica-based period of the late 90s into the hard-bop and free improv-influenced styles of the younger generation.

Names like Jan Garbarek, Mari Boine, Arild Andersen, Nils-Petter Molvær, and Bugge Wesseltoft have made their names internationally. While the younger generation of artists, with names like Paal Nilssen-Love, Håvard Wiik, Kjetil Møster, Håkon Kornstad, Supersilent, Jaga Jazzist and Wibutee are gaining wider and wider recognition as world-class artists in the younger market.

POP/ROCK/ELECTRONICA: The past seven or eight years have been good to Norwegian popular music acts. The so-called “Bergen Wave”, in particular, brought a number of bands from the city of Bergen in Western Norway to great popularity in Norway and abroad. Names like Röyksopp, Kings of Convenience, Sondre Lerche, Magnet and Annie are still widely known and tour throughout the world.

Other parts of the country have also produced a lot of popular bands and artists in the past years in the pop and rock fields, with some prominent names being Lene Marlin, Madrugada, A-HA, Turbonegro and Sissel Kyrkjebø still regularly touring and producing records.

The Norwegian heavy metal and death metal scene, meanwhile, is universally acknowledged as superior to all other such scenes in the world, with names like Dimmu Borgir, Satyricon, Immortal, Darkthrone and Burzum having achieved worldwide celebrity and/ or notoriety.

LITERATURE: Norway has produced more than its share of the great poets, playwrights and novelists of our time. Henrik Ibsen (1828 - 1906), is probably one of the three most respected dramatists in the world, and is performed almost as much as Shakespeare around the world. He is considered the father of the realistic drama, an important pre-modernist influence and a great social critic. His list of canonical plays includes A Doll’s House, Ghosts, Peer Gynt, Hedda Gabler and An enemy of the People.

Three Norwegian authors have received the Nobel Prize for Literature: Sigrid Undset (1882-1949) in 1928, Knut Hamsun (1859-1952) in 1920 and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832-1910) in 1903.

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE: Jon Fosse is currently Norway’s most popular living dramatist both nationally and internationally. His plays are completely minimalist with an absolutely infuriating, repetitive style, delving deep into the existential darkness of man and grasping for things language cannot express.

Some of the best-known current authors include Jostein Gaarder, who wrote Sophie’s World - A Novel about the History of Philosophy. The novel, a sort of mystery/history-of-philosophy4kidz, has sold more than 25 million copies. Lars Saabye Christensen got his international breakthrough with Halvbroren (The Half Brother) and many of Saabye Christensen’s novels have been translated into several European languages.

FINE ART: The Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was one of the pioneers of the expressionist movement in modern painting. You’ve almost certainly seen his endlessly-reproduced Scream, an unnerving expressionist exploration of existential angst, has by now been turned into mouse pads, book covers, desktop backgrounds, horror movie props and posters all over the world. It is probably one of the three most famous paintings around the world that are less than 150 years old.

When Munch died in January 1944, it became known that he had unconditionally bequeathed all his remaining works to the city of Oslo. The city built the Munch Museum in 1963 to house his unique collection of approximately 1100 paintings, 4500 drawings and 18,000 prints.

Anne Katrine Dolven is a contemporary video artist and painter. She has gained international recognition with her carefully considered videos, described as formal in style and spare in narrative expression – humour and eroticism – at times even simultaneously.

ARCHITECTURE: Norway is famous for its unique Stave churches, which are wooden churches built as early as the 12th century. Also, many fine examples of the Jugend/Art Nouveau style of architecture can be found in Norway, for instance in Ålesund, where most of the city centre was rebuilt in that style after a catastrophic fire in 1904.

When it comes to contemporary architecture, the Snøhetta architectural firm based in Norway has achieved great international acclaim for their low-key, cool, “Scandinavian” style. They are behind many high-profile projects such as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt, the new Opera House in Oslo, and the Visitor’s Center at the World Trade Center memorial site in New York.

FESTIVALS: Festivals take place throughout the year, covering all areas of culture including music, film, literature and various forms of art. ‘Norway Festivals’ is the organisation that helps to coordinate and develop all the Norwegian festivals.

Molde International Jazz Festival, the Quart Festival and Norwegian Wood are all international music festivals attracting renowned performers from all over the world.

There are three travelling cultural institutions in Norway: the Norwegian national touring theatre Riksteatret, the national touring concerts Rikskonsertene and the national touring exhibitors Riksgalleriet. These institutions are all funded by the government and perform across the country.

Rural & urban Norwegians

2009-03-13T21:51:00.002-07:00

Mainland Norway covers 324,000 square kilometres, but because of all the mountains, it supports only a comparatively small population of 4.5 million.

The government actively encourages growth in outlying districts by supporting smaller towns and hamlets with grants and other funding schemes. As a result, industries, schools and hospitals, as well as cultural institutions, can be found throughout rural Norway.

A double latte, please!
This also means that infrastructure in rural Norway is surprisingly developed, and you can now get broadband internet and a double latte on almost every last piece of rock in Norway. In keeping with this policy, university colleges have been established in the countryside as well as in the cities.

Still, the rural/urban distinction remains important. The difference between urban centres and rural periphery is one of the driving forces in Norwegian culture and politics, and this is also reflected at the most basic level of government, since our election system has proportional representation. This means that the more sparsely populated constituencies around Norway have a greater representation in the Storting (our parliament) than their population would suggest, the idea being that this keeps the cities from legislating unfairly and draining the rural districts of resources.

Despite all this, the rural part of Norway has grown increasingly depopulated over the past 25 years. Due to globalisation and the tendency towards outsourcing, many Norwegian companies have felt compelled to close down many local cornerstone industries, and this has led to previously prosperous small towns losing the ability to sustain themselves.

Wining & dining

2009-03-13T21:51:00.001-07:00

Norwegian dining has, perhaps not surprisingly, changed radically in the past 150 years. From being a nation that subsisted mainly on herring and porridge, to being a modern, globalised culinary economy, where everything from sushi to pasta to something ridiculously spicy out of the Thai cookbook are all possible staple foods.

Still, Norwegian food culture is not perfect. We’re newcomers to haute cuisine, and people on average spend little time preparing meals. This is probably why Norwegians are the world’s leading consumer of frozen pizza, with the rather cardboardish Pizza Grandiosa being the most popular (it has been suggested, mostly in a joking tone of voice, as the Norwegian national food).

How an ancient Italian peasant food made its way into freezers across Norway is a mystery, but it seems to be there to stay.

Fortunately, this is not universal, and most Norwegians – men and women, young and old - can whip up a good meal when they take the time, and many, many Norwegians take great pride and pleasure in being good cooks.

Local ingredients - international acclaim
A trend in Norwegian cooking in the past twenty years has been a focus on local or traditional ingredients (sometimes organically grown) in non-traditional combinations.

Therefore, Norwegian cooks (both professionals and amateurs) can often be found at their best when making fish and game dishes and it is often dishes like these that help Norwegian chefs win international tournaments.

Bread, bread, dinner and .....bread
Norwegians traditionally eat three to four meals every day: a simple breakfast before work, a lunch break around noon which often consists of open-faced sandwiches in a packed lunch (so-called “ matpakke”) brought from home, a hot meal for dinner around five pm – the only hot meal of the day - and a small late meal which not everyone eats, but which many families with children choose to have because dinner is early.

However, as dining habits are changing radically, many variations of this pattern are appearing, with for instance lunch becoming a warm or at least larger meal, breakfast becoming late and more elaborate, the late meal disappearing altogether, etc.

Traditional Norwegian food

Norwegians often have a charming addiction to the traditional dishes in their culture, but (fortunately, some would say) most of them are only eaten on one specific day of the year, like Christmas or New years. Several of them can be rather difficult for the untrained palate, but they are eaten nonetheless.

Some of the milder examples are raspeballer: Grated, raw potatoes that are mashed together with flour and salt into little balls and boiled; or pinnekjøtt, which is salted meat from dried mutton ribs.

Some examples of the more idiosyncratic dishes are for instance smalahove, which is a sheep’s head that has been burned with a blowtorch, smoked and then boiled. You eat the cheeks, tongue and eyes.

Another such favourite is lutefisk. This is fish that has been soaked in a combination of cold water and caustic soda - a substance mostly used in soap or floorboard treatment - reducing it to a rough, jelly-like consistency. Nobody really knows who developed that stunning display of culinary lateral thinking, but it is still going strong centuries later. It’s very unlikely anyone will make you eat these, but it is all part of the complete Norway experience.

Dining in - dining out
The number of restaurants in Norway is rising, and almost every kind of national food cultures can be found in the cities - from Japanese to Vietnamese to Lebanese to Chinese. The quality of food has generally gone up, while prices have been adjusting towards the wage level as ingredients have become cheaper. Thus, it is now becoming increasingly possible to dine out often on a student budget, especially if you steer clear of the wine list.

Wine and spirits are prohibitively expensive in Norwegian restaurants, and beer can also put quite a dent in your budget. A pint can easily cost between 5 and 7 euros in both clubs and restaurants.

All night long
The cost of alcohol is probably why the Norwegian tradition of the ‘ vorspiel’ has been instituted. Vorspiel, a German word literally translated as ‘foreplay’, is a small party held in a private residence with friends. Here, the people who are going out will warm up with store-bought beer or spirits (which are much more affordable than in clubs) before going out around 11-12 pm, and staying out until the clubs close at around 3.30 am. Then they will go home or for the particularly resilient, there will often be a ‘ nachspiel’ (‘afterplay’).

The nachspiel is an afterparty in which usually just a small group of people wind down (or sometimes wind up) from a big night.

Coffee
Norwegians drink more coffee than anyone else in the world. In rural Norway, getting invited in for coffee can sometimes seem to be the central form of social interaction. In the last twenty years, a café culture has flourished throughout Norway, and as a result, Norwegians are getting really good at coffee. This is comforting, because at the end of the day, an average Norwegian will drink about five cups of plain black coffee.

During your day at the university you will find that a lot of interesting discussions take place during coffee breaks. You will also get quite familiar with the expression to “go for a coffee”. This means “let’s go and talk over coffee”.

Maybe the rural and urban cultures are not as different as they like to think?

Raspeballer - dump the french fries and go for potato dumplings.
Photo: www.frisund.no

Smalahove - not for the fainthearted. The eyes are considered a delicacy by connoisseurs.
Photo: www.smalahovetunet.com

Lutefisk - the king of jellies. And that's not a lye!
Photo: www.wikipedia.org

PS: The dishes above are mostly for
professionals and/or native Norwegians.
It is perfectly polite to denounce
them and rather go for something
less exotic.

The peace worker

2009-03-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

Our privileged situation, coupled with the egalitarian values on which Norwegian politics are based, have often given Norwegian politicians a moral imperative to engage in peace processes and advocate human rights and humanitarian aid.

This leads to an interesting foreign policy, shaped by things like Norway giving a substantial proportion of its annual budget as humanitarian aid, and Norway and Norwegian peace brokers having been actively involved in facilitating peace settlements. An example of the last is the Oslo Accord between Israel and Palestine, which Norway helped facilitate, but Norway has also been heavily involved in peace processes in the Balkans, Colombia, Guatemala, Sudan and Sri Lanka.

Norway has mostly had the role of being a facilitator who sets the table and helps the two parties in the conflict talk. the idea is that since Norway is a small country with no particular aspirations of superpower status, no military clout, and no vested interests in the conflict, that both sides in it will trust us enough to allow us to mediate the agreement.

The Nobel Peace Prize
Another connection with peace work is that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Norway by a Norwegian comittee. Some may think of it as the Academy Awards for politicians, but it’s an important institution helping give resources, publicity and credibility to the unselfish few who struggle against the grain to create a lasting peace.

Despite being instituted by the man who invented dynamite (he was Swedish, by the way), it’s still the most prestigious peace prize, considered the most important recognition of the ultimate political achievement. It is arguably the single most important award in the world.

Languages & dialects

2009-03-13T21:48:00.001-07:00

Norway was, until fairly recently, isolated pockets of humanity making a living in the valleys between the mountainous areas which cover most of Norway. Travel was difficult and communication was slow. As a result, local and regional dialects have developed on their own, producing an incredible range of sounds and words, with radical differences from one another.

The same word can be pronounced in hundreds of different ways across Norway. No dialect is considered to have more worth than another, except by the people who speak them. Most Norwegian dialects – with some notable exceptions - are understandable once you get to understand a little Norwegian.

Three for price of one
To add to the confusion, we have three official written languages in Norway: Bokmål, Nynorsk and Sami. The two biggest are Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål is based on written Danish, which was the official language of Norway for hundreds of years. Nynorsk was created by linguist Ivar Aasen in the 1850s, and is a compilation and combination of some (mostly West-Norwegian) regional dialects. The two languages are not very far apart, but do reflect the large regional differences. Generally, if you understand one of the two languages, you can understand the other fairly easily.

Officially Bokmål and Nynorsk have been accorded equal status, although Bokmål is more widely used in Oslo and the larger towns. Nynorsk is used by about 10-15 per cent of the population, mostly on the west coast. You will also find a substantial part of government documents, church services and public broadcasting written in Nynorsk.

Sami, on the other hand, is a minority language used by the indigenous Sami people. It is mother tongue to about 20,000 individuals in Norway. Sami is a member of the Finno-Ugric branch of languages, and North Sami has been established as an official language equal with Norwegian. It is mostly used in Troms and Finnmark – two regions in Northern Norway.

English as a second language
But if you’re not planning on learning Norwegian, don’t worry: Norwegian children start learning English at school at the age of six and as a result, practically everyone in Norway has some skill in English (and theoretically speaking also either German or French). Young people in particular are mostly completely fluent in English. On the other hand, English-speaking films and television series are subtitled instead of dubbed. So if you can read this, you should have no problem speaking to other people, or even just watching television in Norway.

Weather & climate

2009-03-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

Norwegians love to talk about the weather. A joke about people from the north of Norway goes that they’ll never do anything else when the weather report is on, and the following types of phone conversations ensue: “You’re pregnant? That’s great! Excuse me, the weather is on.” “You’re dying? oh, that’s… can you call back after the weather?” etc.

But it’s not really that strange. Weather in Norway is dramatic and changes very fast, and it can often completely change the options for what is possible to do on any given day.

Four seasons in one day
If you get a map, you’ll see that Norway is at the northernmost end of Europe with the second largest city, Bergen, on the west coast roughly being the same latitude as southernmost Greenland. Norway is therefore often regarded as a cold and wet country. Though this is true in some regions, Norway’s climate is wildly different from region to region and season to season, and the entire coastline is greatly warmed by the Gulf Stream, turning Norway into a more attractive vacation spot than Greenland.

Most of Norway south of Trondheim is a temperate climate. This means that southerly inland climates are dry and very cold in the winter and quite hot in the summertime. The North can be pretty cold and wet except for the brief summer months. Coastal climates in the south are mild and wet in all seasons.

The Norwegian summer in all regions is quite pleasant, being neither too hot nor too cold, although it will sometimes be interrupted by rainy or colder periods. Summer also brings about a marked change in the psychology of the average Norwegian, turning them into a boisterous, joyous people, eager to catch up the wintertime by enjoying the outdoors with friends.

Midnight sun
In Northern Norway, the summers have midnight sun. The summer is literally one long day and evening that never turns into night. This is all peachy, but in the winter the Northerners pay for this extravagant summer with a month of no sun, in which the sun never leaves the horizon.

Winters in general are quite different in different parts of the country, with the north having hard, arctic winters, and the southwest mostly having mild, wet average European winters.

Norwegian language

2009-03-13T21:40:00.001-07:00

In Norway we have three official written languages and a myriad of spoken dialects. Sounds complicated? Don't worry, the reality is much easier, and it's not considered to be more difficult to learn Norwegian than any other European language. And if you know the words "ski" and "fjord" you already have a head start.

We have two official written Norwegian languages, Bokmål and Nynorsk. In addition the indigenous Sámi people have their own official written language. The majority of the people in Norway are using Bokmål. But in areas in the Northwestern part of Norway and in the very south, Nynorsk is widely used. However, it should be noted that Bokmål and Nynorsk are not classified as two different languages where you have to learn the other as a foreign language. In short one could say that they are more two different written norms. Thus, text written in Bokmål is perfectly understandable for a person using Nynorsk, and vice versa.

Dialects
Very few Norwegians, if anybody, speak the way a text is written, whether it's in Bokmål or Nynorsk. Instead we make use of our local dialects. For Norwegians the dialect makes up an important part of their identity, and by listening to a person's dialect we can in most cases determine with good accuracy from which part of the country he or she is from. Beginners to the Norwegian language might find some dialects hard to understand, but Norwegians are understanding and speak closer to the written language if they notice you don't understand them.

Norwegian - a Scandinavian language
If you have a good command of Norwegian you're not only able to communicate with Norwegians, but also with people in Sweden and Denmark. The languages of the three Scandinavian countries are similar and in most cases you can speak in Norwegian to Danes and Swedes, and also read text written in Swedish and Danish.

Learn Norwegian outside Norway

2009-03-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

There are currently between 5,000 and 6,000 young academics worldwide who are studying the Norwegian language or Norwegian courses at institutions of higher education in their home country. Imagine learning how to read Henrik Ibsen in the original language! You can contact more than 140 institutions around the world and find out more.

There is a long tradition of teaching Norwegian language and Norwegian courses at institutions in many countries, even dating back to the 19th century at some universities in Central Europe and the United States. The number of institutions offering courses in Norwegian language, culture and politics are increasing, especially in Eastern Europe for the past ten years.

Maybe your current institution is already offering Norwegian courses? This could be your first stepping stone towards further studies in Norway.

Check the list below of institutions in 36 countries that currently offer Norwegian courses.
[click on each country for detailed contact information]

Region
Europe		North/South America		Asia
	Austria		Argentina		China
	Belgium		Brazil		Japan
	Bulgaria		Canada
	Croatia		United States, The
	Czech Republic, The		Uruguay
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Finland
	France
	Georgia
	Germany
	Greece
	Hungary
	Iceland
	Italy
	Latvia
	Lithuania
	Netherlands, The
	Poland
	Romania
	Russia
	Serbia & Montenegro
	Slovakia
	Slovenia
	Spain
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Ukraine
	United Kingdom

Summer programmes

2009-03-13T21:37:00.001-07:00

Several Norwegian institutions of higher education offer shorter programmes during the summer months. These programmes span a number of subject areas.

International Summer School in Oslo 2009 (June 27- August 7)
The University of Oslo (UiO)
The ISS offers a variety of courses on undergraduate and graduate level, focusing on various aspects of Norwegian culture and society, and also on international issues. Participants attend daily classes, take examinations and/or write term papers, and receive a University of Oslo transcript. Credits will be certified, but accreditation can only be determined by the students' home institution. The summer school takes place from late June till early August.

Application deadline: February 1, 2009
>> Read more

Bergen Summer Research School
2009 Theme: Global Environmental and Climate Change: The second edition of the Bergen Summer Research School to be held during August 2009 will be dedicated to the theme of Global Environmental and Climate Change.
Application deadline: February 15, 2009
>> Read more

BI Norwegian School of Management
International Summer Programme, June 27 – July 17 2009
Intercultural Management – a Scandinavian perspective
The BI International Summer Programme is a three-week intensive programme focussing on Scandinavian management. The programme features lectures by highly qualified BI faculty, company meetings, classes on Norwegian Life and Society and social and cultural activities that will give students an unforgettable summer experience.

Application deadline: March 25, 2009
>> Read more

Summer Programme
Summer at Oslo University College (OUC), Oslo
The second International Summer Program at OUC will be arranged from June 22nd to July 10th 2009. From our range of bachelor and master courses offered throughout the regular academic year, we choose to offer seven courses: LATINA: Learning and Teaching in a Digital World; Non-Toxic Printmaking; Oral tradition and storytelling; Philosophy in School; Globalization, Development and Issues of Inter-Cultural Understanding; Introduction to Public Health; and Nursing and Children- different aspects related to Health Care.

Application deadline: March 2, 2009.
>> Read more

Intensive Norwegian Summer Courses For Exchange Students - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU offers intensive courses in Norwegian language especially designed for exchange students.This programme is supported by the EILC programme of the European Commission.
Application deadline: May 31, 2009
>> Read more

Scholarships

2009-03-13T21:36:00.001-07:00

Most Norwegian institutions have various bilateral agreements with foreign institutions of higher education. These agreements are usually designed for the mutual exchange of students, researchers and teachers. However, there are national programmes that offer scholarships and other types of funding for international students wishing to study in Norway. Certain restrictions and prerequisites apply for all these programmes. In addition, there are various stipends available offered by private and non-profit organisations.

SIU is a Norwegian agency that promotes international cooperation in education and research. SIU is a public administrative body under the Ministry of Education and Research and administrates several programmes where foreign students are eligible for financial support.

Erasmus
The Erasmus programme offers students from EU/EEA-countries enrolled at European higher education insitutions the possibility to study abroad as a part of their degree to supplement their studies. Exchanges last between 3 and 12 months. For more information contact your home university or the national agency of your country. To learn more about the Erasmus-programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of the European Commission.

Erasmus Mundus
Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses are high-quality study programmes at masters level offered by a consortium of at least three European higher education institutions. They last between one and two years and lead to the award of a recognised double, joint or multiple degree. Students have to study in at least two institutions. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available for students who have been admitted to an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course.
Learn more about the Erasmus Mundus programme.

Nordplus Higher Education
If you are enrolled at a Nordic or Baltic higher education institution, Nordplus may offer a possibility to study in another Nordic or Baltic country as part of your degree. For more information contact your home university or the national agency.
To learn more about the programme, please visit Nordplusonline.org.

YGGDRASIL- Young Guest and Doctoral Researchers' Annual Scholarships for Investigation and Learning in Norway
The YGGDRASIL mobility programme offers funding for international Ph.D. students and younger researchers for research stays in Norway. As from the academic year 2009-2010, the Research Council of Norway is offering mobility grants to highly qualified, international Ph.D. students and younger researchers from 25 countries in connection with research stays in Norway of one to ten months through the YGGDRASIL mobility programme. The mobility programme encompasses all subjects and disciplines and takes its name from Yggdrasil, the immense ash tree from Norse mythology whose branches extend throughout the world and into the heavens.

To learn more about the programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of The Research Council of Norway.

Quota Scheme
The Norwegian government provides scholarships for students from developing countries and countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia through the Quota Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to promote the internationalisation of higher education. Currently, the scheme provides full scholarships for a total of 1 100 students, of which 800 are from developing countries and 300 from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Each year universities and university colleges in Norway are allocated a certain number of quota students. The scheme normally includes courses taught in English at Masters and Ph.D. level, in addition to certain professional degrees. In order to find out which courses are available under the scheme, please contact the institutions directly.

The application deadline varies depending on course and institution. To learn more about the Quota Scheme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).

Norad's Programme for Master Studies (NOMA)
(former Norad Fellowship Programme and The Norwegian Capacity-Building Programme)
Norad's Programme for Master Studies provides scholarships for students from developing countries to study Masters and Diploma programmes at institutions in the South.

The aim of all educational activities within the NOMA is to educate staff in public and private sector as well as NGOs in the South. Masters programmes will to a greater extent than earlier be established and developed in the South in close collaboration with Norwegian institutions.

Around 110 students are accepted into the programme every year. Please note that 2006 will be a transitional year from the former Norad Fellowship Programme (NFP) to the new NOMA orogramme. This means that there will be no application round for students in the fall of 2006. The application round for students will open after February 2007. To learn more about the programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of the NOMA programme.

YGGDRASIL- Young Guest and Doctoral Researchers' Annual Scholarships for Investigation and Learning in Norway
The YGGDRASIL mobility programme offers funding for international Ph.D. students and younger researchers for research stays in Norway. As from the academic year 2009-2010, the Research Council of Norway is offering mobility grants to highly qualified, international Ph.D. students and younger researchers from 25 countries in connection with research stays in Norway of one to ten months through the YGGDRASIL mobility programme.
The mobility programme encompasses all subjects and disciplines and takes its name from Yggdrasil, the immense ash tree from Norse mythology whose branches extend throughout the world and into the heavens.

To learn more about the programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of The Research Council of Norway

Fellowship Programme for Studies in the High North
The Fellowship Programme for Studies in the High North is a programme for studies at institutions of higher education in Northern Norway and forms part of the Norwegian Government’s High North Strategy. Candidates will be selected through institutional agreements, meaning that individual fellowship applications from prospective students is not accepted in this programme. Fellowships may be awarded to students from Russia, the USA and Canada. At least half of the fellowships will be awarded to students from Russia. To learn more about the The Fellowship Programme for Studies in the High North and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).

The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund

The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund ("Lånekassen") is primarily directed towards Norwegian citizens. However, some foreign citizens may be eligible for support. If you are a foreign citizen, your right to financial support from the Loan Fund depends on your connection to Norway, which country you come from and on what grounds you have a residence permit.

Support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund consists of a loan and a grant that will cover the costs of studying in Norway. You will only have to repay the loan. If you have children with a residence permit who live together with you in Norway, you may be eligible for further support. If you work while you are a student, the support may be reduced.

You need admission to a Norwegian educational institution in order to apply for financial support and you need a residence permit before any support is paid out.

To learn more about the Loan Fund and find out if you are eligible, please see the website of the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

Tuition fees

2009-03-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

The majority of Norwegian institutions of higher education are publicly funded. And the Norwegian government considers access to higher education for all to be an important part of the Norwegian society. Thus, there are normally no tuition fees at state universities and university colleges in Norway. This also applies to foreign students, no matter which country you come from.

No tuition fees
Generally, students at state universities and university colleges do not pay tuition fees. This is true for all levels, including undergraduate studies, Masters programmes and Ph.D. programmes. However, students will have to pay a semester fee of NOK 300-600 each semester. In order to take an exam this fee will have to be paid in full. But the fee also grants you membership in the local student welfare organisation, which in turn entitles you to several benefits. These benefits may include on campus health services, counselling, access to sports facilities and cultural activities.

Payment of the semester fee is also neccessary to get an official student card that, among other things, gives you reduced fares on most forms of public transport and lower ticket prices to various cultural events.

Programmes and courses with tutition fees
Most private institutions have tuition fees for all their programmes and courses. But the fees are usually significantly lower than those of comparable studies in most other countries. Also, foreign students don't pay higher tuition fees than Norwegian students.

State universities and university colleges may have tuition fees for a few specialised programmes. Typically these programmes are at the Masters level.

Tuition/Scholarships

2009-03-13T21:33:00.001-07:00

Completing a university degree is often considered to be an expensive endeavour and tuition fees are usually making up the bulk part of the cost. Norwegian universities and state university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees for international students. However, you should take into consideration that living expenses in Norway are higher than in many other countries.

"Nothing is for free" is a saying that is true in many cases. But in Norway it is possible to get quality education without having to pay tuition fees. If certain prerequisites are met you could also be eligible for financial support that can pay for your living expenses. Through various fellowship programmes, scholarship schemes or student loans, international students can receive funding for a full degree or a limited number of semesters.

I want to study in Norway but need financial support. What do I do?
How you can financially support your stay in Norway will depend on several factors:
- your current country of legal residency
- your current home institution
- your previous education
- what institution/degree/subject area you are seeking admission to

We recommend that you first contact the International Office at your home university to see if institutional agreements with a Norwegian institution exist. Also, check our scholarship section to see if you are eligible for support through any programmes or schemes.

Transfer of credits & degrees

2009-03-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

When transferring degrees and credits from a foreign institution the recognition process is normally performed by the Norwegian institution to which you are applying. If you would like a general assessment of your academic qualifications, you can contact the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).

The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) supervises and helps to develop the quality of higher education in Norway through evaluation, accreditation and recognition of quality systems, institutions and course provisions. NOKUT is the official Norwegian ENIC-NARIC center.

Recognition of foreign higher education qualifications in Norway
The International Recognitions Unit at NOKUT is responsible for dealing with applications for general recognition of foreign qualifications. NOKUT handles applications for general recognition of foreign qualifications and awards a number of general ECTS credits. They also states whether the level and scope/duration of the course is equivalent to a Norwegian degree.

Higher education institutions decide applications for specific recognition, i.e. whether a foreign qualification is academically equivalent to a degree, part of a degree or other qualification awarded by the institution concerned.

For further information about the recognition requirements please see http://www.nokut.no/sw13120.asp

Diploma Supplement
The Diploma Supplement (DS) is an international document that gives a detailed description of the qualifications attained by a candidate. It does not replace the diploma, but supplements it. The DS has a standard layout and is divided into 8 sections. Section 8, which describes the country’s system of higher education, is a standard text included in all diploma supplements issued in the country concerned. The DS is already an integral part of the electronic student registration systems at Norwegian higher education institutions, FS (the Common Student Registration System) and MSTAS. The DS is provided to graduates free of charge.

Read more about the Diploma Supplement here.

Norwegian higher education system

2009-03-13T21:31:00.001-07:00

Norway has six accredited universities, six accredited specialized university institutions, 25 accredited university colleges, two accredited national colleges of the arts and 29 private institutions of higher education with either institutional- or programme accreditation.

The Norwegian system of higher education comprises all the institutions and/or programmes that are accredited. With the exception of some private university colleges, all higher education institutions are state-run. In general, tuition is not required for study at Norwegian higher education institutions, although fees may be imposed for certain professional education programmes, further and special education programmes and studies at private institutions.

In addition to their teaching activities, all the higher learning institutions, and particularly the universities, are responsible for conducting basic research as well as researcher training, primarily by means of graduate-level studies and doctoral degree programmes.

Degree system
[Fig 1]

Since 2003 Norway has been following the objectives of the Bologna process in the European higher education. Most of the elements have been implemented through the Quality Reform. Central to the reform has been implementation of a 3 + 2 + 3 degree system with a Bachelor's, Masters and Ph.D. structure following the European standards [ see Fig 1 above].

With the introduction of the new degree system it has become easier for students who complete all, or part of their education in Norway, to obtain recognition for their qualifications in other countries.

Credits system and grading
The academic year normally runs from mid-August to mid-June. Courses are measured in “studiepoeng” according to the ECTS standard (European Credit Transfer System credits). The full-time workload for one academic year is 60 “studiepoeng”/ECTS credits.

Grades for undergraduate and postgraduate examinations are awarded according to a graded scale from A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade. A pass/fail mark is given for some examinations.

education system

2009-03-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Student mobility and international cooperation are key objectives for the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. Currently, over 12 000 foreign students are studying in Norway and we look forward to welcoming many more.

Norway is one of the leading countries conforming to the guidelines from the Bologna Process in European higher education. The degree system based on the Bachelor's, Masters and Ph.D. structure has been successfully implemented, together with the ECTS credits system. By adapting to the European standard in higher education it is easy for students at Norwegian institutions to obtain recognition of their qualifications in other countries.

The internationalisation of higher education has been a key factor for the development of programmes where the language of instruction is English in Norway. For the scool year 2007/2008 more than 200 Masters programmes taught in English are available to students, covering a variety of subject areas. Some of the institutions are also offering English-taught programmes at the Bachelor’s level.

There are about 70 public and private institutions of higher learning located throughout Norway, from Kristiansand in the south to Svalbard in the North.

Undergraduate studies

2009-03-13T19:27:00.001-07:00

Today most students entering an institution of higher education for the first time are pursuing a Bachelor's degree, or a professional degree programme like engineering, law or medical studies. As a foreign student you also have the possibility of obtaining an undergraduate level degree from a Norwegian institution if you meet the application requirements. Foreign students may also apply for a number of undergraduate courses not leading to a degree.

Bachelor’s degree
A Bachelor's degree is awarded by all the state universities, specialised university institutions, university colleges and several of the private institutions. It is normally obtained after three years of study.

The two national university colleges of the arts offer a Bachelor’s degree of four years’ duration.

Currently there are very few Bachelor's programmes that are offered in English at Norwegian institutions.

The "Høgskolekandidat" degree
("University college candidat degree")
The "Høgskolekandidat" degree is obtained after two years of study. This degree may be built upon to obtain a Bachelors degree. The degree is offered at some state university colleges and a few private institutions. Please note that the number of subject areas that are available under this degree is limited.

Currently there are no "Høgskolekandidat" degrees offered in English.

Masters programmes

2009-03-13T19:25:00.001-07:00

More and more students are pursuing a Masters degree. Norwegian institutions are constantly working to design Masters programmes that will give students in-depth knowledge, research experience and an attractive degree for future employers.

A Masters degree is awarded by the universities, specialised university institutions, several university colleges and some private institutions. The degree is normally obtained after 1 ½ -2 years of study and typically consists of 120 "studiepoeng"/ECTS.

An important part of this degree is independent research work of between 30-60 “studiepoeng”/ECTS credits leading to a Thesis.

Admission to a Masters degree programme is usually based on a completed Bachelor's degree. However, in special cases admission may granted based on other criterias. The basic admission requirements may vary depending on institution and course.

An increasing number of Norwegian institutions are offering Masters programmes where the language of instruction is English. Currently there are over 170 courses available in our online catalog.

Professional degree programmes
Various professional qualifications are awarded by all the state higher education institutions and a number of the private higher education institutions. These programmes/degrees are of four to six years’ duration and cover both regulated and non-regulated professions.

PhD programmes

2009-03-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) is awarded after three years of study following completion of a Masters degree or a professional degree/programme. Doctoral programmes, which are essentially research programmes, are offered by all university-level institutions, some state university colleges and a few private institutions.

The degree is made up of a training component equivalent to no less than 30 "studiepoeng"/ECTS (1 semester of full-time study) and a dissertation. The dissertation is an independent piece of scientific work that meets international standards within its subject area. If the dissertation is approved, it has to be defended at a public disputation.

The formal entrance qualification for the Ph.D. study is a Master-degree (2 years research master), or a corresponding degree from professional training schools (e.g. psychology, dentistry, medicine, law), or equivalent qualifications.

A number of Ph.D. programmes are designed as a four-year programme where 25 per cent of the time is reserved for teaching at lower level courses.

Some institutions offer two types of doctoral degrees: The “organised” doctoral degree is called Ph.D. (philosophiae doctor). This degree includes obligatory formal training and supervision in addition to the dissertation which is the main focus of the Ph.D.

The second type is a “free” doctoral degree which is called Dr. philos. (doctor philosophiae). No formal training or supervision is included in this degree, and this is typically not part of the institutions' formal Ph.D. programme or Research schools. The scientific status of the two degrees is the same.

More and more Ph.D. programmes in English are being offered at Norwegian institutions. You should contact each institution individually for more information.

Research

2009-03-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Through internationalisation, basic research and innovation Norway is aiming to become a leading nation within research.

The Research Council of Norway is a national strategic body and funding agency for research and innovation activities. The Research Council covers all fields of research and innovation and works together with research institutions as well as the private and public sectors to reach the national financial goals and quality targets set in this area.

The list below shows some of the appointed target areas for Norwegian research:

Marine research
Energy and climate research
Medicine and health research
Food
Communication technology (ICT)
Biotechnology
Material Science, Nanotechnology

The Research Council of Norway plays a vital role in developing and implementing the country’s research strategy. It acts as a government adviser identifying present and future needs for knowledge and research, and provides funding for independent research, as well as for research programmes and Norwegian participation in international research activities.

The Researcher's Mobility Portal
If you are a researcher planning your next stay in Norway, look here for career opportunities
and find relevant information and assistance.

Norwegian Centre of Excellence
In order to ensure quality in research, 13 Centres of Excellence have been established with the intention to bring more researchers and research groups to a high international standard. Additional centres for research-based innovation will hopefully be established in 2006. Their focus will be to develop the capability of the business sector and to stimulate innovation by forging close alliances between enterprises and research institutions.

Summer programmes

2009-03-13T19:15:00.001-07:00

Several Norwegian institutions of higher education offer shorter programmes during the summer months. These programmes span a number of subject areas.

Application deadline: February 1, 2009
>> Read more

Application deadline: March 25, 2009
>> Read more

Application deadline: March 2, 2009.
>> Read more

Petroleum Studies

2009-03-13T19:13:00.001-07:00

Have you ever dreamt of a career in the petroleum sector? Look up and discover Norway. A well of possibilities.

After almost 40 years of experience in the petroleum industry, Norway has acquired a unique knowledge in the fi eld. Norway is in the forefront in the areas of technology and environmental protection, and building up expertise in the field has been an important element in the petroleum policy.

A strategy for the high north

The Norwegian Government gives priority to research aimed at meeting the technological and environmental challenges in the High North. The High North strategy promotes further development of expertise and technology that will enable oil and gas exploration and production to be carried out in a responsible and efficient way.

Studies and research related to the petroleum sector

The capacity-building in the Norwegian oil and gas sector is being developed in close cooperation between companies, research centres and higher education institutions. As a result of this close cooperation, students and researchers will have the possibility to participate in a dynamic and challenging professional environment both through theoretical approach and practical internships. Norwegian universities and university colleges offer a wide range of programmes and courses within petroleum engineering, petroleum-related geosciences and other areas such as petroleum law, arctic engineering and logistics. In this publication we are happy to present programmes aimed at international students within the petroleum fi eld. The programmes listed in this guide are taught in English and have no tuition fees. Both the institutions in this guide and other Norwegian institutions also offer several programmes taught in Norwegian.

[Download the publication Petroleum Studies in Norway]

Marine Studies

2009-03-13T19:11:00.001-07:00

Norway offers several study programmes and courses aimed at international students within the marine field.

The excellency and solid experience in the area of marine research and fisheries management make Norway an interesting destination for students who want to pursue a career in this field.

Norwegian universities and university colleges offer programmes and courses in the field of fisheries and marine resources management as well as industry-related research in aquaculture and biotechnology.

[download the publication Marine Studies in Norway]

What can I study?

2009-03-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

Whether you are just standing on the doorstep to higher education or are a higher level student looking to specialise within a subject area, Norwegian institutions can offer courses and programmes tailored to most needs. Look up and discover our unique student experience!

“Education for all” is the basic principle of the Norwegian education system. Regardless of social background, ethnicity, age or religion, persons should have equal opportunities to pursue a higher education degree. We encourage you to explore the various programmes offered at our universities and university colleges.

Quality assurance
Accessibility should not compromise with quality. Thus, in Norway we have a rigorous system for quality assurance in higher education. In order for Norwegian institutions to offer accredited programmes they either need an institutional accreditation or receive accreditation for individual courses based on a set of quality criteria. The accreditation is granted by an independent agency that performs a thorough evaluation prior to granting an accreditation.

Norway - in compliance with the principles of the Bologna process
When studying in Norway you are also studying in a country that has fully implemented many of the principles of the Bologna process. This includes a 3+2+3 degree system, diploma supplements and the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). So when you have finished a degree or course(s) at a Norwegian institution, you hold papers that are transferable to many other countries.

Exchange programmes

2009-03-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

Many Norwegian institutions have bilateral exchange agreements with universities and university colleges in other countries. Most of these agreements involves that a student stays one or two semesters at the institution in Norway as part of a degree from the home university or college. In addtion, there are some exchange programmes on a national level.

Erasmus
Norwegian universities and university colleges have participated in the Erasmus action programme since 1992. Erasmus is part of EU's programme for lifelong learning (LLP) and supports European activities of higher education institutions. Currently 2,199 higher education institutions in 31 countries are participating in Erasmus.

The Erasmus action is open to the participation of students in the following 31 countries:

the 27 Member States of the European Union
the 3 European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway)
Turkey through the Erasmus Mundus-programme

If you are a student from an eligible country interested in coming to Norway on Erasmus exchange you will have to contact your current home institution and see if it has agreements with any institutions in Norway. You may also contact the National Agency (NA) for the Erasmus Programme in your country.

north2north Student Mobility Program
The north2north program is organised by the University of the Arctic, an international network of educational institutions dedicated to providing relevant and accessible post-secondary education to the people of the North. This means that your choice of exchange institutions consists of universities in circumpolar countries (United States, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia).

As a north2north participant, you travel to another circumpolar institution for a period of 3-12 months. This time period is dependent on your needs and the structures of your home and host institutions. Successful applicants will receive a mobility grant to facilitate their stay at the host institution. The value of this grant varies.

Barentsplus
The Barentsplus programme is designed to promote cooperation between Russian and Norwegian institutions of higher education in the Barents region. The programme is open for both students and teachers. Grants are given for stays between four weeks and up to one year

List of institutions

2009-03-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

no matter what your academic interests are Norway can offer a wide variety of institutions - all with their own distinct profile. And the difference in geographic location, from the rugged islands of Svalbard in the Arctic to the capital city Oslo, makes each institution a perfect starting point for unique nature experiences.

The Norwegian higher education sector consists of seven universities, six specialised university institutions, 24 state university colleges, two national academies of the arts, and 29 private colleges. For more information about each institution, please click on the links below.

Universities
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB)
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
University of Agder (UiA)
University of Bergen (UiB)
University of Oslo (UiO)
University of Stavanger (UiS)
University of Tromsø (UiT)

Specialised university institutions
BI - Norwegian School of Management
MF Norwegian School of Theology
NHH
Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH)
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH)
Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO)
School of Mission and Theology

In addition to the specialised university institutions Norway has two university centres:
University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
University Graduate Center at Kjeller (UNIK)

State university colleges
Akershus University College
Bergen University College
Bodø University College
Buskerud University College
Finnmark University College
Gjøvik University College
Harstad University College
Hedmark University College
Lillehammer University College
Molde University College
Narvik University College
Nesna University College
Nord-Trøndelag University College
Oslo University College
Saami University College
Sogn og Fjordane University College
Stord/Haugesund University College
Sør-Trøndelag University College
Telemark University College
Tromsø University College
Vestfold University College
Volda University College
Østfold University College
Aalesund University College

National institutes of the arts
Bergen National Academy of the Arts (KHiB)
Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO)

Private colleges with institutional accreditation
Diakonhjemmet University College (campus Oslo & Sandnes)
Norwegian Teacher Academy Bachelor and Master Studies

Private colleges with accredited programmes and courses
Ansgar School of Theology and Mission
Barratt Due Institute of Music
Bergen School of Architecture
Betanien Deaconal University College
Bjørknes College
Haraldsplass Deaconess University College (HDUC)
Høgskulen Landbruk og Bygdenæringar (HLB)
Norwegian Eurythmy College
Norwegian School of Dance (DNBH)
Norwegian School of Information Technology (NITH)
Norwegian Teacher Academy (NLA)
Queen Maud's College
Rudolf Steiner College of Education
Scandinavian School of Management (RMH)

In addition, there is a number of institutions with education and websites only in Norwegian. A complete overview of Norwegian institutions of higher education is available on www.NOKUT.no

Where can I study?

2009-03-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

You can find institutions of higher education located all over Norway. The major cities can have both a university and various university colleges. In addition to regular programmes like humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, every institution has their own specialty areas. Combine your academic interests with an exciting geographical location!

Depending on where you are currently enrolled there is also the possibility of coming to Norway via existing mobility programmes or institutional agreements. If your country/home institution is participating in an agreement or programme, we feel confident that you will be able to find a Norwegian institution that can provide you with the environment you need to pursue your highest ambitions

admission & Application

2009-03-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

In order to obtain the neccessary application forms and information about the application deadlines you will have to contact each university or university college. In general the application deadline for foreign students is between January 15 to March 15 for courses starting the following autumn (August). Please note that some institutions have separate
"pre-qualification" deadlines that are earlier than this.

For students with a Norwegian identity number most applications to undergraduate studies at public institutions of higher education in Norway are processed by a centralised application processing centre called Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS - Samordna opptak).

Below you will find the general requirements to previous education. These are minimum requirements determined by NOKUT. Please note that institutions may have higher and/or additional requirements for all or some programmes.

Academic requirements
A compilation of country-specific information called the GSU-list (formerly SIS list) states what level of education applicants from different countries need to meet for entry into Norwegian higher education, including any requirements concerning proficiency in English. For courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian, proficiency in the Norwegian language is also required.

An updated version of the GSU list can be found here.

Undergraduate studies
Completion of secondary education at advanced level, equivalent to passing the exam at the end of Norwegian secondary school, is the general basic requirement for entry to Norwegian universities and university colleges. For students from some countries at least one year of completed studies at the university level is required in addition.

Please check the GSU-list for detailed information regarding additional requirements for your country.

Some study programmes have special admission requirements, usually relating to specialist subjects or fields of study from secondary school. Please check with the institution for information about these special qualifications.

Masters programmes
Admission requirements are decided by each university and university college based on an academic evaluation of the applicants.

Applicants for Masters programmes have normally obtained an undergraduate/Bachelor's degree or equivalent of at least 3 years' duration. The degree must include courses equal to at least 1 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to that of the programme applied for.

In special cases, the first (and sometimes the second) year of study at a foreign higher education institution will not be recognised as higher education in Norway.

Practical guide

2009-03-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

It will always be a challenge arriving in a new country to live and study. There are many practicalities to take care of. Fortunately, Norway is a transparent and well organised society. Also, the Norwegian institutions will do their best to ease the transition for you to become a student in Norway.

Student welfare organisations
All institutions have a student welfare organisation. You normally become a member upon payment of the compulsory semester fee (usually between NOK 300-600), which is also required in order to register for exams. Depending on the size of the institution they offer a wide variety of services. Among other things they organise nursery schools, counselling, a mental health service, canteens, student accommodation and sports facilities/activities.

Before arriving in Norway you may need the services of the student welfare organisation at the institution to which you are applying when transferring money to Norway for the first time. If you don't have a bank account in a Norwegian bank you can transfer money to special accounts established for foreign students. In turn, they will send you an official statement confirming the amount transferred, and you can use this as documentation when applying for a student residence permit. This is generally done free of charge. When you come to Norway and have opened your private bank account, you can transfer the money to this account.

Norwegian identity number
If you are going to stay in Norway for more than six months you should register with the National Registry so that you can be awarded an 11 digit identity number (your date of birth plus a 5 digit personal number). This is done at the local tax assessment office ("Likningskontor"). The number is required for opening a bank account, obtaining a student card, and applying for a loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

Students from the Nordic countries, and students who are going to stay in Norway for less than six months, may apply for a D-number ( dummy number). This number may be used to open a bank account. To apply for this number, contact your local tax assessment office, or the Office of the National Registrar in Oslo if you are located abroad.

Money and banking
In order to open a bank account in a Norwegian bank you will need a Norwegian identity number. You can choose between local or regional banks, or banks with branches all over Norway. Some banks are also pure online banks, with no physical branches. Norwegian banks have advanced solutions for online banking so you can administrate your accounts, pay bills and transfer money online.

Foreign credit cards are widely accepted in Norway and cash machines are easily available. However, please note that most grocery stores and supermarkets do not accept foreign credit cards.

Travel to Norway
Many students will come to Norway by plane. Several cities in Norway have direct flights to European destinations. Both the major European national carriers and the new low cost carriers are serving destinations in many corners of Norway. The major hub for international flights to and from Norway is Oslo Airport Gardermoen.

You can also reach Norway by car ferries from Denmark and England, and by train via Sweden. If you decide to travel to Norway by car you can come from Russia and Finland in the north, and through Sweden further south.

The Visit Norway website can provide you with detailed information about how to plan your travel arrangements to Norway.

Student life

2009-03-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

As a student in Norway you will never be short of lifetime experiences. No matter what your preferences are you should be able to find something of interest beyond books and classes. The freedom of nature is never far away, even in the major cities. If you are more urban oriented many cities have a vibrant cultural life with coffee bars and music clubs.

Student welfare organisations
Your local student welfare organisation can offer a variety of services, from on campus health services to sports activities. We highly recommend to make use of their services - after all, they are there for your own well being.

Discover Norway
When in Norway you should not miss the opportunity to experience other areas of our diverse country than where you study. Despite the geography and long distances, most places are accessible by public transport. Of course, if you prefere solitude and to find your own personal sanctuary, the wilderness is never far away.

Most cities and regions have their own Tourist Office that can provide you with information about local sights, accomodation and travel. See the Visit Norway website to locate these offices.

Student residence permit

2009-03-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

All students who plan to stay in Norway for more than three months will need a student residence permit. Visas are only issued for stays up to 90 days (e.g. for certain Summer School programmes).

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is the public agency processing all applications for a student residence permit. For complete information about the Norwegian immigration regulations please visit their website.

We urge you to carefully read the regulations as to avoid problems during the application process. Applications that are incomplete will not be processed, and your entry to Norway can be delayed.

Regulations concerning student residence permit for students from countries in the EU/EEA/EFTA are available here.
Regulations concerning student residence permit for students from the Nordic countries are available here.

For applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA:
You should submit your application to a Norwegian Foreign Mission. The application must be submitted in person. Applications sent by mail or email will not be processed. In some cases the applicant may expect to be called in for an interview.

There is a processing fee of NOK 1 100 (approx. USD 180) for each application made from abroad payable to the Norwegian Foreign Mission. Due to exchange rates and local administrative conditions this fee may vary. Please check with the Norwegian Foreign Mission for exact fee prior to submission of application.

Please visit the Norway Portal to locate the Norwegian embassy or consulate general nearest you.

When you apply for a student residence permit you must submit the following documents:

An application form for student residence with a passport photograph.
[download form here]
A copy of your passport.
Documentation of admission to an approved educational institution.
The letter of acceptance from the instution must contain the following information:
1. The applicant's name
2. The name of the institution
3. What course/programme the applicant has been admitted to
4. The duration of the course/programme
The course/programme must be full-time and approved for financial support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. This also applies for students who have financing from other sources and do not intend to seek support from the Loan Fund.
A plan of study.
A filled out form stating the progress of your studies.
[download form here]
Documentation of housing.
Approved documentation includes a lease copy for a house, an apartment or a room issued by a private person or company. Apartments/rooms provided by the institution's own Student Housing organisation must also be documented with a lease copy.
Documentation of subsistence
(loan from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund or deposits in a Norwegian bank).
Subsistence is ensured at NOK 81.400,- for the school year 2007/2008. If you plan to attend an institution/programme/course that has tuition fees, you must also document that you are able to finance this extra cost.
As a general rule, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requires the money to be deposited in a Norwegian bank account, and this account must be in the applicant’s name. If the educational institution has set up an account for the students, the student may transfer his/her funds to this account. Documentation in this case should include a statement from the institution confirming that the correct amount is deposited to the account in question, or a bank statement showing a balance for the correct amount.The applicant may apply for part-time work in Norway and submit this as part of the grounds for subsistence. However, the total amount for subsistence will then be higher.As a general rule, financial guarantees from a third person is not accepted, whether this person is a resident in Norway or another country. In special cases financial guarantees from an applicant's parents may be accepted if they are Norwegian residents.

Please note that the documentation requirements will vary from country to country and are subject to change. For more information, contact the Norwegian Foreign Service mission closest to you. If you are in Norway, contact the local police or the Directorate of Immigration.

A student residence permit to Norway is granted under the precondition that the student will return to his/her country of legal permanent residence upon completion of the studies.

For regulations concerning familiy reunification for a student's immediate family, please see the website of the UDI.

Exchange students
The regulations above are also valid for exchange students from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA. If the stay is financed through scholarships, student loans or other public funding from the home country, valid documentation must accompany the application. The documentation must include the total amount converted into a generally accepted currency, together with information about how the funds will be paid out (e.g. in monthly installments or the full amount at once).

Health insurance

2009-03-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Health services in Norway are of high standards. As a student in Norway you are ensured professional medical treatment no matter which part of the country you are living in. In most cases the treatment is free of charge if certain prerequisites are met. These prerequisites vary depending on your current nationality and length of stay in Norway. Please study the regulations below carefully.

NAV is the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service. NAV is the public agency administrating the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

Students from the Nordic countries
You are a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme if you are registered in the National Population Register in Norway. If you are not a member you are nevertheless entitled to health services under the National Insurance Act and you do not have to verify it with a European Health Insurance Card.

Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

Students from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland must have social security coverage from their home country. They must obtain the European Health Insurance Card entitling them to medical treatment in accordance with the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. For further information about the card please contact the nearest insurance office in your home country. Students working in Norway may be entitled to membership in the National Insurance Scheme.

Students from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
If the duration of your stay in Norway is more than one year you automatically become insured under the National Insurance Scheme when you register as a student at a Norwegian institution of higher education and as a resident in Norway. If the duration of your stay in Norway is between 3 and 12 months you should apply for membership of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme providing coverage with regard to health services. The form must be sent to the insurance office in the municipality in which you are staying. Students who do not become a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, must have a social security coverage from their home country.

All students

Some institutions provide on campus health services. The semester card which you receive by semester registration may entitle you free medical treatment at the institution's student health services. This treatment usually does not apply to medicines or to medical tests taken off campus. The cost of medicines is only covered if you are hospitalised, or suffer from a serious disease, and are member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or have a European Health Insurance Card or another form of social security which covers these costs.