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.

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. Around 14 000 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.

Admission & Application
In order to obtain the necessary 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 December 1 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.

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.

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.

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.

For more information and original link visit :www.studyinnorway.no, accessed 20 September 2011