Apply for an Exchange Period
Students nominated by their home university may apply for a period of exchange at UiB.
How to Apply
Application periods
- Autumn semester 2015: 15 March - 1 May
- Spring semester 2016: 1 September - 15 October
Do not try to submit an application before you have:
- Been nominated by your home university
- Received two emails from UiB with your username and password
Who may apply?
Students from institutions with an exchange agreement with UiB:
- To be eligible for admission as an exchange student there must be an exchange agreement between your university and UiB. Please check with your home university if an exchange agreement exists.
- Your home university has to nominate you online within the nomination periods
- The student must have completed 60 ECTS / first year of studies to be eligible for admission
After you have been nominated by your home university, you will receive two e-mails:
One with instructions on how to apply in SøknadsWeb, the other with your password and a link to the application.
Please see our application guidelines (pdf) for more detailed information.
Required documents
To complete your application you must upload the required documents to your application on SøknadsWeb.
All applicants must upload scanned copies (pdf) of:
- ID page of passport or national ID card (as a "Letter" on SøknadsWeb)
- Official transcript of records in English or a Scandinavian language, listing all courses you have completed at your home university.
- Or, if the above is not available: a translation of your transcript of records in English or a Scandinavian language in addition to an official transcript of records in the original language. We accept a non-official translation if stamped and signed by an officer at the partner university.
Some applicants must also upload:
- Letter of motivation: Only applies to applicants to ENG-courses.
- Traineeship Agreement: Only applies to Erasmus+ Traineeship students. The Traineeship Agreement is issued by your home university.
- Documentation of funds: Only applies to non-EU/EEA/EFTA citizens
Erasmus+ applicants can also upload:
- Learning Agreement: Only if you need it signed before you arrive in Bergen. The Learning Agreement is issued by your home university.
Admission Process
Admission process
Nomination periods | Spring: 1 Sept.-1 Oct. Autumn: 15 March-15 April |
|
Application periods | Spring: 1 Sept.-15 Oct. Autumn: 15 March-1 May |
|
Processing applications | Spring: 15 Oct.-15 Nov. Autumn: 1 May-1 July |
|
Offer of admission | Spring: 15 Nov.-1 Dec. Autumn: 1 June-1 July |
|
Withdrawal/ reject the offer of admission | Spring: by 15 December Autumn: by 15 July |
|
When does the semester start for exchange students? See our Semester Dates.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
In general incoming exchange students do not need to document English language proficiency through a recognised test such as IELTS or TOEFL. But, we strongly recommend that students have a good command of English – a minimum of level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – in order to follow courses taught in English. The University of Bergen expects that all nominated Erasmus students have been evaluated according to this framework at their home institution.
Applicants to ENG-courses
The courses listed below have special admission requirements:
- ENG101 English Linguistics I
- ENG107 English Grammar II
- ENG108 English as a Global Language
- ENG109 Varieties of English
- ENG122 American Literature and Culture
- ENG125 British Literature and Culture
- ENG211 English Linguistics III
- ENG212 English Literature and Culture
- ENG251 English Linguistics with Term Paper
- ENG252 English Literature and Culture with Term Paper
- ENG321 Selected Topic in English Linguistics I
- ENG322 Selected Topic in English Linguistics II
- ENG325 Selected Topic in English Linguistics III
- ENG326 Selected Topic in English Linguistics IIV
We recommend a competence level in English of B2 or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Letter of Motivation
If you apply for one of the courses listed above, you must upload a Letter of Motivation in your application on SøknadsWeb. The Letter of Motivation must explain what your academic ambitions are and how they relate to your course choice. It should be no longer than one page.
Diagnostic test on site
Once you arrive at the University of Bergen you will be required to do a diagnostic test on site to assess your writing competency in English.
Native speakers of English are exempted and do not need to submit such documentation or do a diagnostic test.
UNIS
UNIS - The University Centre in Svalbard
If you are nominated for an exchange period at UiB, you may apply for courses at UNIS by submitting applications to both UNIS and UiB.
Apply to UNIS and UiB
How to apply to UNIS
Questions regarding UNIS' courses, application system,etc. should be directed to studadm@unis.no.- How to apply to UiB
You must follow both application procedures in detail and both UiB and UNIS require that you attach certified copies of official transcripts to document your grades and student status.
UNIS' application periods:
- Early March - 15 April
- Early September - 15 October
UiB as a back-up plan
UNIS usually has more applicants than places for exchange students and every semester there are some students who are not offered admission. We therefore recommend that you consider applying for courses at UiB as well as UNIS, that way you will have the option to come to UiB as a second choice.
Student housing in Bergen
If UiB is also an option for you, you should apply for student accommodation provided by the Student Welfare Organisation (SiB) by their deadlines.
You are safe to accept the contract for accommodation from SiB, even if you have not received an offer of admission yet. You can cancel your accommodation if needed without any extra costs if you follow SiB's instructions and deadlines for cancellation.
