Study Abroad at the Vestfold University College in Norway

Dates | Costs | Location | Activities | Courses | Language | Eligibility
Housing and Meals | Application | Visa | Photos

Vestfold University College is located in Vestfold County on the east coast of Norway – approximately one hour from Norway's capital. Though it is not the largest of institutions, the university has a dedicated and highly professional staff and hard-working students. VSU offers a range of studies that give students professional competence that benefits both themselves and their communities.

In the 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. You can hallenge yourself with skiing, whitewater rafting, 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 outdoor experiences.

A wide variety of courses are offered in English.

Click here to visit VUC's international student office website.

Dates

Fall Application Deadline: March 12
Fall Orientation: August 19
Fall Semester: August 20 - December 20, 2013

Spring Application Deadline: October 1
Spring Orientation: January 3
SpringSemester: January 6 - June 20, 2014
*Outdoor education starts February 4

Costs

Students will pay tuition and fees to UNC. They will pay all other expenses in Norway. The budget given in US dollars is an estimate and is subject to change.

Click here for the most current exchange rate. Exchange rate current as of 1/13.

Estimated Costs for 1 Semester

(1 USD = 5.48 NOK)	Estimated Costs
Tuition & Fees (average based on resident tuition w/o COF)	$3,300	Paid to UNC in USD
Study Abroad Admin Fee	$300	Paid to UNC in USD
Study Abroad Health Insurance	$170	Paid to UNC in USD
Housing	$2,838 - $4,106	NOK 3110-4500/mo
Round Trip Travel	$1,200	Paid to Airline in USD
Cost of Living (food, mobile phone, books & supplies, bus pass, incidentals, etc)	$3300 - $4300	$600 - $800/mo + $150 for books (costs will vary)
Norwegian Visa Fee	$537	NOK 2,500
TOTAL	$11,645 - $13,913

*All costs are estimated based on a five-month semester.

Location

Norway is one of the Scandinavian countries located in Northern Europe. It is home to wide open spaces, mountain plateaus, deep valleys, fjords, a long coastline, and friendly people. It has one of Europe’s strongest and most stable economies and is known for significant advances in health and medicine. While located in the far North, its close proximity to the sea creates a climate less severe than one would expect. The town of Tonsberg is the oldest town in Norway and has about 37,000 inhabitants, while the town of Horten is a port city located on the North Sea. Vestfold County is home to picturesque beauty and loads of outdoor adventure.

Click here for more information on Vestfold County and Norway.
Click herefor Videos about Norway.

Activities

Vestfold County offers many outdoor activities such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, climbing, and white water rafting. The student society organizes many sports and social activities, such as Thursday night Disco night in Tonsberg.

Click here for more information on student activities

Courses

VUC courses are separated into segmented modules of study. Modules can be worth 3.75-15 UNC credit hours.

Modules applicable to UNC students include:

A Norwegian Cultural Journey
English
International Business
Supply Chain Management
Introduction to Political Economy
Advanced Issues in Management Accounting
Management Accounting
Supply Chain Management
Organization and Leadership
Nursing: Clinical Practice
Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning

Click Here for the Vestfold Course Catalog

VSU uses the ECTS credit system. Students will enroll in 30 ECTS, which will transfer back as 15 UNC credits.

A free, non-credit bearing beginning Norwegian course is offered to international students. All other courses for international students are taught in English.

Language of Instruction

English

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and must have completed at least two semesters of courses at UNC.

This program is open to all majors with no limit on the number of UNC students who can participate each semester. Students may apply for one semester or one academic year.

Housing and Meals

VUC staff will help students arrange housing in one of eight different facilities. Most accommodations have a single room and private bathroom with a shared kitchen. Apartments are typically shared with 4-6 others. Electricity, water, Wi-Fi included in rent. You can rent all bed linenes and kitchen equipement for NOK 120/month ($110 for the semester).

Students will be responsible for purchasing and cooking their own meals. Some meals may be purchased at the VUC campus cafeteria.

Click Here for more information on student accommodations.

Application

Students must first complete the UNC study abroad application. Students meeting the minimum requirements will be selected to participate. If selected, the student will need to complete an admissions application for Vestfold University College.

Visa

Students accepted to participate in this program will need to apply for a study permit for studies.

Click here for more information about how to apply for a Studies permit.