Basic Admission Requirements to Norwegian Universities
To be eligible, international students must fulfil the basic admission requirements to Norwegian institutions of higher education, both according to level of education and knowledge of English and eventually knowledge of Norwegian. Before applying, please refer to the rules explained below to see whether you fulfil the requirements.

All students must fulfil the basic admission requirements. For the countries of Group I, basic admission requirements do not include studies at university level. In Group II, basic entrance requirements include higher secondary education (based on 12 years of schooling) + 1 year of university studies in academic subjects. These subjects must give credit towards a university degree. In Group III, basic entrance requirements include secondary school + 2 years of university studies in academic subjects.

For Quota students and other students applying directly for a Master's degree at the University of Tromsø, the requirement for admission is a completed Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, which means at least 3 years above the basic entrance requirement mentioned here.

English Proficiency Requirements
A good command of English is required for all students attending the University of Tromsø, since most literature is in English. Students who are not native speakers have to document their knowledge of English by taking one of the following internationally recognised tests:

TOEFL
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) 
with a minimum score of 500 (paperbased) or 170 (computerbased). 
Please order your score to be sent directly to the University of Tromsø, TOEFL code number 0742. You can get the Bulletins of Information with Registration forms at the addresses given at the end of this brochure.

IELTS
(International English Language Testing Service)
with a minimum score of 5.0 points.
It is possible to take the IELTS test at nearly every overseas British Council office. Local officers will supply information about the availability of the test and the fee charged.

The following tests/examinations can replace the TOEFL or IELTS:
• Advanced Placement International English Language Examination (APIEL), minimum 3 points.
• University of Cambridge Exams (First Certificate English, Certificate in Advanced English, Certificate of Proficiency in English).
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), minimum of 85 points.

The following categories of applicants are exempted from the English test requirement:
• Applicants from countries under the EU/ EEA who can document that they have had English as their first foreign language in primary/secondary school for at least 7 years.
• Citizens of the following English speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA or applicants who have successfully completed at least one year of academic studies at a college or university in one of these countries.
• Students from African countries with the East or West African School Certificate when they can document an examination in English at the Advanced Level passed with C or better, or after having completed a Bachelor’s degree. 
• Students who have studied English language as one of their main subjects at university level can apply for an exemption.
• Students accepted within the framework of an exchange programme or a bilateral agreement, although a good command of English is recommended.

Norwegian Proficiency Requirements
All international students who want to take courses that are offered in Norwegian or want to become regular students after one year of status as guest students or exchange students under the ERASMUS programme, have to document one of the following exams or tests in Norwegian language:
• University exam in Norwegian, level III, (pass/fail)
• “Test i norsk, høyere nivå”, also called «Bergen test», with 450 points or  better
• Exam in Norwegian from a Norwegian secondary school, «Norsk som  andrespråk», minimum pass grade: 2.
• Exam from the one-year course in «Norwegian Language and Society for  Foreign Students» from a Norwegian University or College,( pass/fail).
• Document or exam from the Department of Scandinavian Studies (or similar)  at the home university stating that the applicant has knowledge in Norwegian  at the level of one of the above tests or exams.

Application Process
Applicants to the University of Tromsø should contact this university from six to twelve months before the start of the planned studies - please check the deadline above for each student category. The applicant should order the Application Form for International Students and follow the instructions given in the form and in this brochure. Applicants will receive a letter that confirms the receipt of the applications. All applicants who have applied within the appropriate deadline will receive a Letter of Admission or a Letter of Refusal in the month of June or December. Applications that are not properly documented will not be processed. The admitted students will be asked to confirm their acceptance of the study place by returning a Confirmation of Acceptance form within a set deadline. Students who fail to do so will not be guaranteed a place of study. 

The necessary documents you will need to send together with the application form are the following: (NB: ERASMUS and NORDPLUS students only have to submit a confirmation from their home institution that they have been selected as exchange students to our University).

1. A completed and signed application form.
2. For Quota students: Certified copies of the pages of your passport showing your picture, full name, your date of birth and your nationality. For students from countries where passports are difficult to obtain other forms of identification can be accepted.
3. Officially certified copies of your educational certificates from Higher Secondary School.
4. University transcripts, diplomas and certificates must be sent directly to our International Student Office from your university, bearing the stamp of the Registrar office or similar. If this is not possible, please submit certified copies with the home university seal. Students who are admitted must bring all the original documents to the University of Tromsø upon arrival. We reserve the right to require that students present the original certificates and diplomas if considered necessary.
5. An original TOEFL-test document sent directly to us or a certified copy of this or another of the approved test mentioned in 3.2.
6. A one page statement of purpose explaining your reasons for applying to the University of Tromsø, describing your background, activities and current course work, and specifying your educational objectives.
7. If the above documents are not in English, German, or in a Scandinavian language, the copy of the original certificate must be accompanied by authorised translations into one of these languages.
8. Regular students have to submit documentation of their Norwegian proficiency.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines Autumn Semester 2003

Quota students: 1st December
Guest students: 1 June 
Exchange students: 1 June 

The Autumn Semester starts 11 August and ends 20 December. 
Student registration takes place between 11-25 August. Introductory programme
and registration for new International Students starts Tuesday 12. August. 

Deadline for registration for exams is 15 September. This is also the deadline for
application for special arrangements during exams. 

Deadlines Spring Semester 2004 

Guest students: 1 November 
Exchange students: 1 November 

Please notice that quota students are admitted in Autumn Semester
only. 

Introductory program for foreign students starts 14. january 0930 at Hiet, 
Central Administration Building

The Spring Semester starts 10 January and ends 20 June. 
Student registration takes place between 10-20 January. Deadline for registration for exams is 15 February. This is also the deadline for application for special arrangements during exams.