Introduction
The General Part of the ECTS Information Guide for the University
of Tromsø includes both a description of the ECTS
system in general, a description of the University
of Tromsø and the city of Tromsø
in particular and it gives some general
and practical information.
What is ECTS?
ECTS, the European Community Course Credit Transfer System, was developed
by the Commission of the European Communities in order to provide common
procedures to guarantee academic recognition of studies abroad. It provides
a way of measuring and comparing learning achievements, and transferring
them from one institution to another.
The ECTS system is based on the principle of mutual trust and confidence between the participating higher education institutions. The few rules of ECTS, concerning Information (on courses available), Agreement (between the home and host institutions) and the Use of Credit Points (to indicate student workload) are set out to reinforce this mutual trust and confidence. Each ECTS faculty will describe the courses it offers not only in terms of content but also adding credits to each course.
The ECTS credits
ECTS credits are a value allocated to course units to describe the
student workload required to complete them. They reflect the quantity of
work each course requires in relation to the total lectures, practical
work, seminars, private work and examinations or other assessment activities.
ECTS credits express a relative value.
In ECTS, 60 credits represent the workload of a year of study; normally 30 credits are given for a semester and 20 credits for a term. It is important that no special courses are set up for ECTS purposes, but that all ECTS courses are mainstream courses at the participating institutions, as followed by home students under normal regulations.
Credits are awarded only when the course has been completed and all required examinations have been successfully taken.
ECTS Students
The students participating in ECTS will receive full credit for all
academic work successfully carried out at any of the ECTS partner institutions.
They will be able to transfer these academic credits from one participating
institution to another on the basis of prior agreement on the content of
study programmes abroad between students and the institutions involved.
When the student has successfully completed the study programme previously
agreed between the home and the host institutions and returns to the home
institution, credit transfer will take place, and the student will continue
the study course at the home institution without any loss of time or credit.
If, on the other hand, the student decides to stay at the host institution
and to take a degree there, he or she may have to adapt the study course
due to the legal, institutional and departmental rules in the host country,
institution and department.
The University of Tromsø
A Name and address
University of Tromsø
Breivika
N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
Tel: +47 77 64 40 00
Fax: +47 77 64 49 00
Web address: http://www.uit.no/
B Academic calendar
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
Autumn semester: 10 August to 20 December
Spring semester: 10 January to 20 June
There are three vacations during an academic year:
Summer vacation: 20 June to 10 August
Christmas vacation: 20 December to 10 January
Easter vacation: From Monday after Palm Sunday until Tuesday after
Easter Sunday
C1 International Student Office
The International Student Office is part of the Department of Academic Affairs, and has three full-time employees. The address is:
The University of Tromsø
International Student Office
Department of Academic Affairs
N-9037 TROMSØ, Norway
Tel: +47 77 64 40 00
Fax: +47 77 64 49 00
Web address: http://www.adm.uit.no/studie/foreign/
The Foreign Student Adviser (+ 47 77 64 49 68) is responsible for foreign student admissions, except NORDPLUS- and ERASMUS students. The admission procedure includes the evaluation of foreign degrees and diplomas. Another main function is information and counselling on all academic matters and assistance in matters regarding residence permit for foreign students at the University of Tromsø.
The job of the Student Mobility Co-ordinator (+47 77 64 49 61) is mainly to assist Norwegian students who want to study abroad. The co-ordinator is also responsible for admission of guest- and exchange students from developing countries (including NORDPLUS- and ERASMUS students) and collaborates closely with the Faculties.
The Head of International Student Office is responsible for the overall co-ordination of activities at the office, keeps a record of the University’s international exchange agreements and serves as the Socrates institutional co-ordinator. This includes a variety of functions, including the initiation, in close collaboration with the Faculties, of new programmes for international students.
C2 The Socrates institutional co-ordinator
Ms. Astrid Revhaug
Tel: +47 77 64 49 72
Fax: +47 77 64 49 00
E-mail: astrid.revhaug@adm.uit.no
Each faculty also has a liaison in the area of international studies. These contact-persons can provide information about their faculties' international activities, such as student exchanges and research collaborations. See part III for names and telephone-numbers.
C3 The ECTS institutional co-ordinator
Ms. Astrid Revhaug
Tel: +47 77 64 49 61
Fax: +47 77 64 49 00
E-mail: mobility@adm.uit.no
D1 The University of Tromsø
As the world's northernmost university, the University of Tromsø is situated in a region distinguished by its abundance of natural resources, polar proximity, multicultural communities, scattered population and major export industries. Research and education in this region is subject to an ever-increasing internationalisation. Amid an abundance of natural resources, knowledge will be the most important raw material of the future.
Academic matters
As the smallest and youngest university in Norway, the University of
Tromsø is still the largest research institution on the Northern
Peninsula. The atmosphere is characterised by close ties between the staff,
students and researchers and by exciting architecture and art. The University
allows each student plenty of room for individual studies and good opportunities
for teamwork. The project- and problem-oriented learning create exciting
and creative forms of education. The University's concentration on de-centralised
studies, additional and further education all provide the opportunity for
lifetime learning. This is of special worth and importance in the narrow
and lengthy sparsely populated North.
Research activities
The main focus of the University's activities is on a wide spectre
of arctic research projects; on the Northern Lights and space research,
fisheries research, bio-technology research, multicultural societies, Saami
culture, social medicine and community research. The close vicinity of
the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Polar Environmental Centre gives
Tromsø added weight and importance as an international centre for
arctic research. Research activities, however, include much more than just
activities based on the arctic. The University's researchers work within
a broad base of subjects and are both nationally and internationally lauded.
Internationalisation
With more than 100 nationalities represented among researchers and
students on campus and with bilateral agreements with universities at all
continents, the internationalisation of the University of Tromsø
is visible. Students and researchers at the University have the advantage
of first class co-operation and exchange agreements with universities and
research establishments, through the NORDPLUS-, SOCRATES- and LEONARDO-programme.
National responsibility for research and educational co-operation in the
Barents region is under administration of the University of Tromsø.
The University co-operates with establishments, institutions and research
centres in Africa, Asia, Central America and the Middle East on themes
such as indigenous populations and minority-group problems, social medicine,
marine resources management and bio-diversity.
Paris of the North – Gateway to the Artic
Tromsø is a surprise to many people. International influence
has coloured the City from its early days, and it was named The Paris of
the North. Situated at 70 degrees North Tromsø still has a mild
climate, and it was from here that Nansen, Amundsen, Nobile and Andrée
set off for their polar expeditions, giving the City its other name, The
Gateway to the Arctic. Visitors to Northern Norway have plenty of opportunity
to experience the many faces of nature, the polar winter and the midnight
sun.
The island of Tromsø
The town is the region's educational, commercial and administrative
centre. The town is situated on a small island with bridges connecting
it to the mainland. Travelling to Tromsø is easy, as it has a modern
airport with daily connections to Oslo and other destinations. The
flight-time from Oslo is one hour and 50 minutes.
The town's traditional industries include fishing, shipping and beer brewing. More recently, there has been rapid development in the high-technology fields, such as space science and biotechnology. Meanwhile, the cultural life of Tromsø continues to thrive, with its museums and galleries, and an abundance of music, theatre and film.
With an area of 2,558 square kilometres, Tromsø is literally the largest city in Norway. Even by the more standard measure of population, the city's 57,000 inhabitants make it the largest city in Norway's northern region.
Outdoor activities
Tromsø is surrounded by mountains and fjords. The highest mountains
are Jiekkevarre at 1833 metres (6,000 feet), and Tromsdalstind, at 1238
metres (4,000 feet). People are attracted to Tromsø because
of the excellent opportunities for outdoors activities, both in summer
and winter.
The light and the climate
Though Tromsø lies at 69? 67" North and 18? 95" East, its climate
is surprisingly mild. This is attributed to the influence of the
Gulf Stream. The average temperature is 2.9? centigrade (37.2? Fahrenheit).
The coldest temperature on record is -18.4? centigrade (-1.1? Fahrenheit),
and the warmest 30.2? centigrade (86.3? Fahrenheit). Winter is from
October to May, and summer from June to August.
The midnight sun can be seen from May 21 to July 23, a period in which the sun does not set and there is sunlight throughout the night. Most people regard the midnight sun as an exotic aspect of life in this part of the world. For foreigners, the winter may seem long. Between November 25 and January 21 the sun never rises, and around Christmas-time there is scarcely any daylight at all. The winter period, however, has its own beauty, with its distinctive blue light, and the beautiful northern lights, aurora borealis.
E Application procedures
ECTS is a system for accreditation of higher education from European countries, developed within the European Union. Students from the EU wishing to study at the University of Tromsø can fill in the standard ECTS student application form and send it to the International Student Office. EU citizens can also use the Application Form for International Students.
All other international students applying to the University of Tromsø have to fill in the Application Form for International Students, which may be obtained from the International Student Office, University of Tromsø.
Application deadlines for different categories of international applicants
to the University of Tromsø:
1st December Quota students*
1 June ERASMUS, NORDPLUS and guest students commencing autumn
semester
1 November ERASMUS, NORDPLUS and guest students commencing spring semester.
1 October for applicants who will need a Visa (most countries outside the EU/EEA
region)
*The Norwegian Quota Programme is a funding scheme offered by the Norwegian Government to students from developing countries and Eastern- Europe for studies at institutions of higher education in Norway.
At the First Days Programme for New Foreign Students, held at the beginning of each semester, new students will be given general information, guidance in administrative matters, social gatherings etc. Both Norwegian students and academic and administrative staff take part in the programme. Our aim is to make students feel welcome and to give them the guidance and information needed as a new international student at the University of Tromsø.
F Linguistic requirements
Most courses at the University of Tromsø are conducted in Norwegian. Although there are no formal Norwegian language requirements for acceptance under the ECTS, reasonable competence is clearly essential if lecture courses are to be followed. We have no formal English language requirements for ECTS students, but English-language course literature is frequently used. Hence a sound knowledge of English is important.
Norwegian courses
The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Tromsø offers
foreigners the following courses in Norwegian: 1) Introductory Course for
Exchange Students, 2) Evening Courses in Norwegian and 3) Semester Course
in Norwegian Language, Literature and Culture for Foreign Students. There
is also a programme in Nordic/Scandinavian Literature and Language, which
is primarily for native students. The programme is open for foreign students
who already know the Norwegian language very well. Please see below;
Evening Courses in Norwegian
These courses are open to full time students who are studying other
subjects, for example full time students at Master programmes. Employees
at the University of Tromsø and, if capacity, their families, may
also attend these courses. The courses normally run every semester (no
credits). The courses are offered at beginning, intermediate and advanced
levels (level 1 - 2 - 3), depending on funding and number of students.
Each course lasts 12 weeks with 4 hours of instruction per week. Classes
will take place late afternoons and evenings, and they will start shortly
after the beginning of every semester (no credits).
Semester Course in Norwegian Language, Literature and Culture for
Foreign Students
The course is offered only in the autumn semesters. The students must
have been learning Norwegian for at least one year in their home country
before they may attend the course. It is a full time course and has a duration
of 12 weeks with 15 hours of instruction (30 ECTS credits). The course
aims at enabling the students to improve their practical proficiency of
Norwegian as well as their theoretical knowledge of Norwegian language
and literature, and their understanding of Norwegian culture and society.
Norwegian/Scandinavian Languages and Literature
This study is primarily for native students, but is open for foreign
students who already know the Norwegian language very well. The study
is offered at undergraduate foundation level (60 ECTS credits),
undergraduate intermediate level (30 ECTS credits) and graduate
level (120 ECTS credits). Emphasis is put on the study of Norwegian
as a mother tongue and on Norwegian literature. Other Scandinavian languages
and literature make up a smaller part of the study. Students who have started
Norwegian/Scandinavian studies in their home country, may follow lectures
in literature and language at all levels.
A Residence permitGeneral and Practical Information
EEA citizens can stay in Norway for 3 months before they have to apply
for a residence permit. For students who know upon arrival that they will
stay longer than 3 months, the application for a residence/work permit
should be submitted to the local immigration office as soon as possible
after arrival in Norway. It is possible for all students under formal student
mobility programmes and students from countries for which Norway has no
visa requirements, to apply for residence/work permit after having arrived
in Norway on a tourist or other restricted period visa. In order to be
granted a first-time student residence permit, the following documents
or written guarantees must be presented to the Norwegian authorities:
- A valid passport
- A Letter of Acceptance from the University or a letter of invitation
from the University to be a guest student under a student exchange mobility
programme
- Documentation of satisfactory accommodation
- An E111 and/or E128 health insurance form (if EU or EFTA citizen)
or other insurance
B Getting here
You will be given detailed information about practical matters of relevance for your arrival in Tromsø in the Letter of Admission.
C Cost of living
The cost of living in Norway is among the highest in the world. The State Educational Loan Fund (the national student bank) estimates the average expenses for students to be approximately NOK 8 000 per month (as per year 2003 estimates) for accommodation, transport, food and clothing, university fees and other necessities. Medical and dental care is not included in this budget.
D Accommodation
All international students have to apply for accommodation directly to the Student Welfare Organisation (SWO). Still a single room in a student residence is reserved for all ERASMUS-, NORDPLUS-, quota- and other international students admitted to programmes directly from their home countries. You will have to pay the rent from the date given in the Letter of Acceptance, even if you arrive later. After a certain date, also stated in the Letter of Acceptance, the room will no longer be reserved. The monthly rent is approximately NOK 2000-2500.
The rooms in the student hostels are partly furnished. They have a desk, a chair, a bed, and a mattress. However, student hostels in Norway do not provide quilt, pillow, quilt cover, cutlery, kitchen ware, etc. Students share some common facilities; kitchen, bathrooms, toilets, storage rooms and laundry. The SWO provides only hardware items in the kitchen: refrigerator, oven, dining table, chairs, etc. Buying of equipment to your room can be arranged after arrival, but the prizes in Norway are very high.
There are 8 student residential areas, none of them on the university campus. They are located between 1-5 kilometres from the University and 1,5-10 kilometres from the town centre.
There are laundries in the residences, but no canteens/cafeterias. Norwegian students typically prepare their own food.
E Health and insurance
Students from member countries of the European Union must bring form E111 and/or E128 with them from the home country. It is advisable to bring numerous copies of this form as it could be needed on various occasions. Students will have to show the form any time they consult a doctor or psychiatrist and also in case of hospitalisation.
If you stay in Norway as a student for more than a year, you will automatically become a member of the National Health Insurance as soon as you are issued with a personal identification number (must be applied for after arrival in Norway). Students intending to stay for less than a year at the University have to apply on separate forms for membership in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Dental care is not covered by National Health Insurance in Norway. Dental care is quite expensive, and students are advised to have a thorough dental check-up before arriving in Norway.
The Health Fund has been established by the Student Welfare Organisation to help students cover certain medical expenses which public health insurance does not cover. Students who are in need of this service, should fill in the relevant forms which can be obtained from the office of the Foreign Student Counsellor.
F Study facilities at the host institution
The University Library is the centre for information and documentation services at the University of Tromsø. The library provides a full range of information services to students, staff, and faculty members. Through exhibitions and the publication of the «Ravnetrykk» series, the library presents perspectives of research at the University and other national and international institutions. In addition to collections directly related to subjects taught and researched at the University, the library builds up special collections of relevance to the Northern Region.
The University Library is comprised of three main libraries and three department libraries. In order to provide users with the best possible service, the services are distributed amongst the localities of the various study environments.
G Extra-mural and leisure activities
The Student House Driv is situated in the town centre. There are several student organisations at the University. Some faculties have their own academic and social clubs.
Sports
The student sports association is called Tromsø studentenes
idrettslag (TSI). Within this association are several specific groups;
the mountain group, arranges trips for new foreign students every autumn.
In the winter there are skiing courses arranged for foreign students.
Other TSI groups include the volleyball, soccer, diving, karate, and aerobics
clubs. The association also has agreements with some sports halls and swimming
pools around Tromsø, whereby certain hours are set aside for the
exclusive use of students. A new Sports Hall "Kraft" has opened
at campus. There are many opportunities for camping and outdoor activities
in the areas around Tromsø. It would be useful, in this regard,
to bring a sleeping bag.
Student Politics
Many students at The University of Tromsø are actively involved
in student politics. The Norwegian Student Union (Norsk Studentunion) is
the collective organisation for students at the University. Students automatically
become members when they register and pay the semester fee.
In 1994 the local NSU contributed to setting up a student union for the universities in the Barents region. This union will work with issues concerning the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. If you have any questions, or are interested in contributing to the NSU’s international activities, please contact the local office.
There is also an International Student Union dealing with the specific concerns of the University's foreign students. If you would like to ask some questions about life in Tromsø of foreign students who have already been here for some time, or would just like to get in touch, please write directly to the Union.
Religion
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the state church of Norway. Among
the most prominent independent denominations are the Roman Catholic, Methodist,
Adventist and Baptist. There is also a small Muslim congregation in Tromsø.
There is a Christian student fellowship at the University.
The Student Chaplain
The student chaplain has office hours at the University campus. He
provides counselling and weekly masses, and supports and co-ordinates seminars
and religious activities at the university. You are welcome to discuss
religious and other fundamental life issues with the chaplain.