NIS - How to apply

Anyone who meets the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) can apply to the NIS course.

Note that acceptance to the NIS course alone is not considered sufficient to be awarded a study permit (student visa). Non-EU/EEA applicants must read the information at the bottom of this page before applying.

Admission requirements

1. Academic requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements of the Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) in Norway, which is a completed Norwegian secondary school diploma. The so-called GSU-list shows the equivalent educational certificates for applicants who have completed their secondary school outside Norway.

2. Language requirements
Applicants must meet the English language requirement for higher education in Norway.
Prior knowledge of Norwegian language is not required.

Application procedure

1. Online application portal
Applicants must submit an application and upload supporting documents in the application portal Søknadsweb. Applications and supporting documents sent by email will not be considered.

Go to the application portal Søknadsweb to start your application!

2. Required documents to be uploaded

  • Original diplomas and academic transcripts from senior secondary school and university. If issued in other languages than English or Norwegian, you must also upload official translations of these documents (in English or Norwegian).
  • Documentation of English language profiency (for example an IELTS or TOEFL test).
  • Applicants who need to apply for a study permit (non-EU/EEA citizens) must also describe their further study plan at VUC. Upload a document in your application which states a bachelor or master’s programme you intend to apply to after completing NIS. Be specific. Read more about study permits at the bottom of this page.
  • Copy of passport or national ID-card (the page with your photo and personal information).
  • Copy of residence card or permit (only applicable for applicants with residence permit in Norway).

All supporting documents must be uploaded within the application deadline. Documents submitted after the deadline will only be reviewed at capacity and may qualify applicants for the waiting list.

Application deadlines and timeline

November 1st - the application portal (Søknadsweb) opens. First-time applicants must register and create a user profile in the application portal.

January 15th- Application deadline for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA.
This group of applicants will receive the result of their application at the end of April.

April 15th - Application deadline for EU/EEA citizens and applicants residing in Norway.
This group of applicants will receive the result of their application in May/June.
The application portal may re-open for this group of applicants after June 1st if there are still available places after the first round of admission.

Notification of results

Applicants will receive notification of the result of their application by e-mail. The status of the application will then also be visible inside the application portal (Søknadsweb).

Successful applicants will be given a short deadline to respond to the offer of admission.

The NIS course starts up in mid-August and runs until early June the following year.

NIS for incoming exchange students

If you are already studying Norwegian language at one of our partner universities abroad, you can apply to the second half of the Norwegian course (NIS 102) as an exchange student. See admission process for exchange students.

Study permit for the NIS course (non-EU/EEA applicants)

Study permit and need for further study plan

The Norwegian Immigration Authorities (UDI) has stated that acceptance to a Norwegian language course alone is not enough to be awarded a study permit. Citizens from outside the EU/EEA-countries therefore need to have a plan for further studies at Volda University College in order to be granted a study permit.

This means that applicants from non-EU/EEA countries must note in their motivation letter what study programme they want to take after the NIS course and also document that they meet all admission requirements to this study programme (apart from Norwegian language proficiency).

For students who need a study permit, VUC will issue an Admission Letter stating that the student is accepted to the NIS course and also cleared for the further study plan.

The applicant can then upload this Admission Letter to the UDI in support of the application for a study permit (student residence permit).

Applicants already studying in Norway

Applicants to the NIS course who are already studying in Norway, may apply for a renewal of their study permit. However, admission to the NIS course alone is not considered sufficient grounds for a renewal of the study permit so the student would need to document a further study plan after the NIS course.

For a renewal of the study permit, the Norwegian Immigration Authorities (UDI) require that the further study is a continuation of the previous studies on a higher level. That is, an international student who has completed a Bachelor's degree, will most likely only be awarded a renewed study permit for plans to study at the Master's level.

The following excerpt is from UDI's website, under section 2.2: If the applicant has previously held a residence permit for study in Norway, it is a condition for applications for a new first-time study permit that the applicant has had adequate study progress in his or her previous studies in Norway, and that the education pertaining to the new residence permit is a continuation of his or her previous studies in the country.

Tuition fees

International students who are non-EU/EEA citizens, will have to pay tuition fees unless they meet one of the criteria to be exempt. Read more about tuition fees and exemptions at VUC.

Practical information

There are many practical details that international students must consider before moving to Norway for studies. We have therefore developed a website with practical information about visa, insurance, housing, finances, travel and much more.

Read more about practical information for new international students.

Contact

Questions regarding international admissions at VUC? Email us at admissions@hivolda.no.