Northern Studies - bachelor

Programme description

The Bachelor of Northern studies degree program is designed for students who want to develop a multi-disciplinary competence on the circumpolar north regarding its geopolitical global context, indigenous peoples and traditional cultures, nature and resources, focusing on environmental issues and the balance between state governance and market mechanisms in attaining a sustainable regional development in the subarctic and arctic regions. The program is an answer to the growing demand for inter-disciplinary insight and knowledge regarding these regions. The program is developed in cooperation with University of the Arctic (U-Arctic) and is primarily offered as a supplementary program for students already enrolled for bachelor program at member institutions of U-Arctic.

Bachelor of Northern Studies is a flexible program that allows students to apply for recognition of courses taken at an external institution. The obligatory part of the BNS program is the core courses, offered on-line in semester 1 and 2, and two advanced emphasis parts of 30 credits each. Students can choose between 4 advanced emphasis programs, see notes
(1- 4) under the study model.

Programme structure

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

When completing the program the student will have/will be:

• a broad interdisciplinary knowledge of key topics of the circumpolar north, its history and contemporary conditions
• insights in sustainable development, language and communication, peoples and cultures, regional development and conditions and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• able to update on contemporary research related to development, northern nature, history, the cultural dynamics surrounding, indigenous peoples, northern problems of language, political systems and governance.
• able to update the acquired knowledge on northern issues of a professional and personal character, and be able to evaluate critically the contemporary challenges of the circumpolar north.
• gained an interdisciplinary outlook on the relationship and dynamics between the northern peripheries and the southern centres of the national state and the transnational business corporation

Skills

When completing the program the student will be able to:

• apply different outlooks and methods on central and everyday issues of the circumpolar north based on a holistic understanding of the northern world
• to reflect on interdisciplinary knowledge concerning the reality of the circumpolar north and be self - critical; adjusting own knowledge when supervised
• refer to new information, different processes and ongoing discussions regarding the development in the circumpolar north and to evaluate the current situation and form new relevant research questions.
• relate relevant interdisciplinary knowledge to northern sustainable development and see opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in northern communities while aware of the larger dynamics.

General competence

When completing the program the student will be able to:

• develop interdisciplinary insight on the multi-faced reality of the Circumpolar North in order to critically assess and discuss tasks regarding the contemporary situation of the northern reality.
• present knowledge and solutions, both oral and written, on challenges in the circumpolar North, alone or as part of a group, and plan for different types of academic activities/assignment and projects over time.
• participate with others with a similar academic background and exchange information and opinions regarding recent events and processes in the circumpolar north and due to the discussion establish good practice in the field.
• contribute to meaning making and exchange of information on topics regarding the recent developments of the circumpolar north in relation to the national centres and contemporary society in general.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification and certified language requirements in English.
A list of the requirements for the Higher Education Entrance Qualification in Norway can be found on the web site from the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT). For language requirements we refer to NOKUT's GSU-list.
 

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15th for admission to the autumn semester

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for self-financing and quota scheme applicants is 1 February for admission to the autumn semester
• Online application, study code 2065.

Teaching and assessment

The BNS core courses are taught online by the use of the virtual classroom programme

Classfronter (Fronter). Three advanced emphases programmes are taught on site by

lectures and seminars. Excursions are included as part of two of the onsite learning

programmes. One advanced emphasis program is also taught online.

Language of instruction

All courses offered by UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, are taught in English.

Exchange possibilities

Students who complete the first year may apply for a specified scholarship (e.g. north2north, Barents Plus, Erasmus+ etc.) to go abroad for one semester, preferably fourth semester. More information can be given by student advisors and international office at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway.

Job prospectives

The BNS degree program gives a unique inter-disciplinary insight and knowledge in High North issues compared to disciplinary studies. The program is an answer to the growing demand for interdisciplinary insight and knowledge in public and private management and local and regional development. Choice of the advanced emphases part of the BA program would also influence your competence for special jobs in the public or private sector.

The BNS program will prepare the students for career entry or positions in public or private sector; commercial and non-profit organizations at the local, national or international level. The program gives added value to other educational background and very relevant knowledge for people working in the north within media, education, marketing, local governance and development etc. BNS is also relevant for companies working with export / import in the north and other branches related to northern activity.

Access to further studies

Access to MA programs is a possibility in Norway, Canada and Iceland.

E.g. UiT-The Arctic University of Norway and University of Saskatchewan; Joint Master¿s Degree in Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas.

Study plan

Bachelor in Northern Studies 2015-2016
BANOR 2014-2015