Årsstudium
Norwegian language and civilization for international students (NIS)
The course aims to give students knowledge and skills necessary for studies at Norwegian colleges and universities.
- Start:
- Autumn
- Progression:
- Full-time
- Credits:
- 60,0
- Duration:
- 2 semester (1 år)
- Study level:
- Årsstudium
- Application period:
- 01.11.2024 - 15.01.2025
The regular application deadlines are:
- January 15th: Application deadline for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA.
- April 15th: Application deadline for citizens of EU/EEA countries and applicants residing in Norway.
Follow this link to find out more about admission.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students: read more here.
Study content
The emphasis of this study is on giving students good general capabilities in Norwegian language. The programme is also meant to make it easier for students to adapt to the Norwegian society. The study of Norwegian culture and civilization aims to give students the general overview they need when they begin their vocational studies. It is also meant to provide an insight into Norwegian social structures and the living conditions of Norwegians. Upon completion, students will reach a Norwegian language proficiency equivalent to the B2-level (CEFR).
Admission requirements
To be accepted for the course, applicants must satisfy the general entrance requirements for Norwegian colleges. For applicants from some countries 1 - 2 years of university studies will be required. Applicants must meet English language requirement. Knowledge of Norwegian language is not required at the entrance stage.
Teaching methods and assessment schemes
This program is a full time study over two semesters. The study concentrates on two subject areas: Norwegian language and Norwegian civilization. The main emphasis is on Norwegian language, especially practical language skills. Teaching in civilization and culture has text reading as its basis, and is to the greatest possible extent coordinated with the teaching in Norwegian language.
Teaching comprises from 10-14 periods per week each term. Attendance is obligatory. Students with less than 80 % attendance will not be allowed to sit for the exams.
Study plan
Norsk språk og samfunnskunnskap for internasjonale studentar (NIS)
The emphasis of this study is on giving students good general capabilities in Norwegian language. The programme is also meant to make it easier for students to adapt to the Norwegian society, and it includes 78 hours of lectures in social studies. The study of Norwegian culture and civilization aims to give students the general overview they need when they begin their vocational studies. It is also meant to provide an insight into Norwegian social structures and the living conditions of Norwegians.
In accordance with the national qualification framework, the student has achieved the following learning outcomes after completing the course:
The student will possess knowledge about:
-Norwegian phonetics, vocabulary and the grammatical structure in Norwegian language, equivalent to B2 (The European Framework for languages, CEF.)
- how to write texts in Norwegian in their own special field of study
- important facts and structures in Norwegian geography, governance, educational system, industries and welfare
- important periods in Norwegian history, the history of Norwegian language and characteristic features of periods in Norwegian literature and art history
- how to adapt to the Norwegian society in general.
The student is able to:
-speak Norwegian reasonably correctly with correct intonation
- read and understand contemporary texts, literary texts, non‑fiction, and vocational texts
‑ understand lectures in Norwegian and take down lecture notes
‑ write Norwegian, in different genres, without serious errors and read texts at normal speed
- reflect upon aspects of Norwegian mentality and culture
The course aims to give students knowledge and skills necessary for studies at Norwegian colleges and universities
This program is a full time study over two semesters, course NIS101 in autumn and NIS102 in spring. A passed exam at NIS101 is mandatory in order to go on at NIS102. The study concentrates on two subject areas: Norwegian language and Norwegian civilization. The main emphasis is on Norwegian language, especially practical language skills. Teaching in civilization and culture has text reading as its basis, and is to the greatest possible extent coordinated with the teaching in Norwegian language. Teaching comprises from 10-14 periods per week each term. Attendance is obligatory. Students with less than 80 % attendance will not be allowed to sit for the exams. The teaching programme gives instruction in bokmål.
| Course | 2025 Autumn | 2026 Spring |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | ||
| 30 | ||
| Sum (60 total) | 30 | 30 |
Students without a permanent resident permit in Norway, cannot sit for another exam in Norwegian if the permit awarding status as a student in the passport has expired (according to § 5.7 in The Guidelines for Exams at HVO).
International students who are citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, must pay tuition fees for higher education in Norway unless they meet one of the criteria to be exempt. For more information, see https://www.hivolda.no/en/international/tuition-fees-non-eueea-students
The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College’s routines for quality assurance.