Admission to Undergraduate Courses

Admission to the International Summer School follow the general admission requirements to higher education in Norway. Participating in undergraduate courses requires that the applicant meets the general entrance requiremenst for higher education. The general entrance requirements can be divided in (a) academic requirements and (b) language requirements.

For the following countries the general entrance requirement is a national secondary school leaving certificate that satisfies the basic requirements for admission to higher education institutions in the home country:
Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus (Greek), Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland.

For the following countries the general entrance requirement is a national secondary school leaving certificate plus one year of studies at the university level:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus (after 1985), Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Cameroon, China (after 1977), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus (Turkish), Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire), Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gaza and The West Bank, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (South), Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation (after 1985), Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine (after 1985), Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Language Requirements:
In addition, the general entrance requirement to higher education in Norway includes documented proficiency in English language. For courses and study programs taught in Norwegian, the entrance requirements also contain a documentation of proficiency in Norwegian language. More about language proficiency requirements.

Admission Requirements to Graduate Courses

Admission to the graduate courses offered through the ISS (see graduate courses here) require an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree in a relevant discipline to the course in question. In most cases, admission to the graduate courses also requires specific professional experience. Please study the course description of the graduate course you are interested in. Tailor your application towards the focus of the graduate course, and note that one can only apply to one graduate course at the ISS.

Applicants from some countries need one year of university education to meet the general entrance requirements (see above). Applicants from these countries must therefore be able to document at least 4 years of education at the university level, which includes the completion of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

What are the personal requirements?

You must be in good mental, emotional, and physical health to study abroad. Upon admission, you will be required to document good health by a health certificate issued by a medical doctor. For this purpose a special health certificate form will be mailed to you together with the formal letter of admission.

Students of all ages regularly attend the ISS.

What are the final selection criteria?

1. Academic qualifications.
2. Seriousness of purpose as illustrated in a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.
3. Personal qualities likely to make the applicant a good representative of her/his country.

What are my chances of being admitted as a self-paying student?

Qualified, self-paying applicants for undergraduate courses are admitted upon completion of their application, provided the chosen courses are not yet fully booked.

Candidates interested in Norwegian language courses should apply as early as possible as these courses usually are fully booked even before the February 1 application deadline. Late applicants may be put on a waiting list.

Competition for graduate courses is very keen. Only the best qualified applicants are considered for admission and a wide geographical, educational, and professional representation of participants is sought for these courses. In the past years, only 15-20% of the graduate course applicants have been admitted. Note that it is only possible to apply for one graduate course, if you list several the ISS will only consider you for the course most clearly linked to your eduactional and professional background. Tailor your application towards the course you wish to study.