WWU Exchange in Norway:  Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
 

Fun Facts about Norway
 

• The world’s longest tunnel is in Norway (The Lærdal Tunnel)
• There is a town in Norway called Hell, which, due to its name, has become a minor tourist attraction. Also, due to its climate, it has been known to freeze over.
• Thor invented the Cheese Slicer (Thor Bjørklund - 1889-1975)
• Around 98% of Norway’s domestic power usage is drawn from hydroelectric power plants
• Norway has the highest concentration of fjords in the world

 
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Profile
 

• The Norwegian name for this university is “Høgskolen på Vestlandet”, so you will often see it abbreviated as HVL
• HVL was established in 2017 through the merger of three independent colleges
• HVL operates across five campuses in five different towns
• The total number of students is around 16,000
• HVL emphasizes professional studies, but also offers postgraduate programs through the doctoral level in some fields, and currently has ten research centers

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) offers the following four faculties:
 

• Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports
• Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Engineering and Sciences
• Faculty of Business Administration and Social Sciences

Within these four Faculties, students can find a wide range of courses taught in English. Depending on the field, students may be able to choose from a list of classes or they may be able to sign up for a pre-designed program that focuses on a special area of expertise.
 
Fields of study at HVL include Norwegian Language, Education, and Business. HVL also offers a wide range of Environmental Science and Engineering programs taught in English. HVL is well known for the excellence of its Recreation program and its Health and Social Sciences programs. Students considering a pre-designed program should pay attention to the admission requirements for that program.
 
It is not possible for students to commute between campuses. All campuses are open to exchange students, but students must select coursework from one campus only.

 
Location

HVL operates across five campuses located on the west coast of Norway. All campuses are open to Western students.





Bergen – Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is sister-city to Seattle, Washington. Bergen's Nordness Park has a totem pole from Seattle and the Seattle community of Ballard has a mini-park dedicated by King Olav of Norway. Bergen has a mild climate with a lot of precipitation. On this campus, students can select courses in the following fields:

• Norwegian language (Autumn or Spring)
• Education/Teacher Training (Autumn or Spring)
• Engineering (Autumn or Spring)
• Business Administration (Autumn only)
• Health and Social Sciences (Autumn or Spring) 

Førde – With a population of a little over 10,000 people, Førde is a much smaller town than Bergen. It is sister cities with Kent, Washington. On this campus, students can choose from the following pre-designed programs:

• Control Engineering (Spring only)
• Industrial Instrumentation (Autumn only)
• Medical and Surgical Nursing in a Norwegian Context (Autumn only)
• Nursing of Somatic Illnesses and Injuries (Autumn or Spring) 

Haugesund – Although the town itself is considered young, the surrounding area is of historical significance. The first king of Norway had his home very close to town. On this campus, students can take the following:

• Technical/Business/Maritime Education (Autumn or Spring) 

Sogndal – This town is located at the northern end of Sognefjord; the largest and deepest fjord in Norway. Sogndal has a population of approximately 8,000 people. On this campus, there are three pre-designed semester science programs available to students.

• Outdoor Education and Nordic Friluftsliv (Autumn)
• From Mountain to (Autumn)
• Geohazards and Climate Change (Spring) 

Stord – Stord is sometimes called “Norway in Miniature” because of its varied landscape. On this campus, students choose between the following two teacher’s education programs:

• English – a one-year program where students plan, prepare, implement and critically assess teaching in English based on applicable framework conditions. This program that corresponds in level and scope to a one-year 100-level program. (Academic Year only)
• Fjords and Glaciers – an interdisciplinary teacher’s education program that consists of nature studies and culture studies and includes outdoor activities. (Autumn only) 

Academic Programs & Courses

The academic year is from August to June:

• Fall Semester:  August to December
• Spring Semester:  January to June 

Students should keep in mind that HVL is the result of a merger between three universities. As a result, different campuses offer different types of opportunities. More specifically, some campuses offer an “a la carte” approach to course selection similar to what students experience at Western. Other campuses offer pre-designed programs where the courses and credit load are set ahead of time.
 
When looking for courses, students should pay attention the campus where the course is taught. Students should only select courses from one campus.
 

Credits and workload

Credits are counted in terms of workload and include lectures, group work, excursions, seminars, laboratory work, tutorials, independent studies etc.

1 ECTS credit = 27 student working hours
1 study week = 40 student working hours
1 semester = 30 ECTS credits (22 quarter credits)
1 study year = 60 ECTS credits = 1600 student working hours (45 quarter credits)


Available Courses

Here is the website for HVL's course finder: https://www.hvl.no/en/studies-at-hvl/exchange-studies/exchange-courses/
 
Accommodations

HVL assists exchange students from partner universities in finding accommodation.
The accommodation is close to campus, and rent normally includes internet and electricity. Prices and deposits vary. A room provided by the Student Welfare organization costs roughly NOK 3,500 per month (~ US$435/month). The Student Welfare organization charges a deposit of NOK 5,000 (~UD$620).
 
Support Services for Students

Student advisor
The Student Welfare Organization has s student counselor who is happy to help you with both small and bigger issues in your everyday life as a student. The student counselor is available if you need someone to talk to about issues such as exam anxiety, stress, homesickness, loneliness or lack of motivation.
The counselling is confidential and free of charge.

Free health clinic for students
The Student Welfare Organization and Førde Municipality runs a free health clinic for students and young adults (20-25 years). The medical staff will assist you with questions regarding contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, abortion, and sexuality and sexual relationships only. All counselling, prescription of contraceptives and testing is confidential and free of charge. Condoms are available free of charge.

Facilities and services for special needs students
Our overarching goal is to facilitate the study and student life in such a manner so that as many as possible can benefit from our courses, regardless of any physical or psychological disabilities. Please contact the Student Information Counter as early as possible to enquire about facilitating support for your needs.
Campus Førde is accessible for wheelchair users and has ample parking for students with special needs. All of the buildings are modern and well equipped with features such as automatic doors and elevators. 

Student Welfare Organization
As a student at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, you will automatically become a member of our Student Welfare Organization. They offer services to make your life as a student as smooth as possible, so you can focus on your studies.

In order to do this, it offers several services at Campus Førde including student accommodation, kindergarten, a student café and counselling services. In addition, the Welfare Organization provides financial support for student organizations, engages in preventive health care, and provides financial support to students with major health expenses.
 

Program Cost

Exchange program participants will pay a student fee based on WWU in-state tuition and mandatory fees.  For students studying abroad for three quarters, this fee will be equal to in-state tuition and mandatory fees. Students studying abroad for a single semester will pay a semester rate for tuition, which equates to ½ year of in-state tuition. All other costs associated with participation in the program (including transportation, room and board, personal expenses) are the responsibility of the individual student.

Cost Estimates
 
Charged to WWU Student Account

• Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Academic Year 2019): ~$2,790 per quarter
• Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Single Semester 2019/20): ~$4,188Not Charged to WWU Student Account

Not Charged to your WWU Student Account

• Housing: 3,500 NOK (US$410) per month
• Meals: ~16,600 NOK (~US$1,950) per semester
• Books, Supplies, Student Association: 2,700-4,600 NOK (~US$320 - $540)  per semester
• Personal Expenses: ~15,500 NOK (~US $1,800) per semester
• Airfare: $800 - $1,300

The program may allow for time, which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-program activities.
 
How to apply

Step 1: Nomination

You must be nominated by Western’s EdAbroad office before you can apply for admission to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Here is the process:

• Create one EdAbroad application  
• Complete the following four items in the Pre-Decision Section:
  • Sign the Read & Sign forms
  • Pay the application fee
  • Answer the Questionnaire (This will help prepare you for the interview)
  • Submit a completed Recommendation.
• There are two other items in the Pre-Decision Section, but students can complete them either before or after the interview. 
• Call the EdAbroad front desk to schedule an interview.

Deadline for Submitting Nomination material  

• Fall Semester: February 1 (Interviews can be scheduled before or after the deadline)
• Spring Semester: June 1 (Interviews can be scheduled before or after the deadline)

Once the student has come in for an interview, the status in their EdAbroad application will be changed to "Interviewed".
 
Step 2: Accept the Nomination

The EdAbroad office will make nomination decisions as soon as possible after all eligible candidates have been interviewed. Note that different host sites have different nomination and application deadlines. The timeline of the host site’s application process strongly influences the order in which the EdAbroad office processes student applications.  
 
The EdAbroad office will notify students of their nomination status by email. Nominated students will receive an attached Nomination Letter.
 
In order to accept the nomination, students should initial and sign the nomination letter and return it to the EdAbroad office by the date requested in the letter. Note that students will be required to pay a $500 deposit against tuition after accepting the nomination.

Once nominated students have submitted their signed and initialed nomination letter, their EdAbroad Application status will be updated to "Accepted". When a student's application status is changed from "Interviewed" to "Accepted", the remainder of the EdAbroad application material will become available for review and completion.
 
Step 3: The EdAbroad office Submits your Nomination
 
The EdAbroad office will submit your nomination online, after which HVL’s application system will send you an email with instructions on how to apply.
 
The deadline for the EdAbroad office to submit your nomination is as follows:
 

• Autumn semester or full academic year: 1 March - 15 April
• Spring semester: 1 September- 15 October

Here is an outline of the HVL Application process:
 
Step 1: Log in
Use the link in the e-mail you have received to go to the online application system. Select English language in the left hand menu, choose «Login for users without Norwegian National Identification Number», and log in with your e-mail address and password.

Step 2: Fill in My Profile
Fill in your personal information in My Profile. Please fill out your complete home address, including postal code and city of residence. 

Step 3: Choose courses/study area
Please choose your courses/study area.

Step 4: Upload required documents
To complete your application, you must upload the following required documents:

• ID (passport or national identity card)
• Official Transcript of Records in English from home institution
• Learning Agreement, signed by the student and coordinator(s) at home institution.
• Accommodation form (Only for Campus Stord and Campus Haugesund)Note! The documents must be uploaded as PDF-files.

The deadline for submitting your application to HVL is as follows:
 

• Autumn semester or full academic year: 15 April
• Spring semester: 15 October