Dream Foundation

Hedmark University College is one of the largest of the university colleges in Norway with a total of 4000 students. It is located north of the capital city of Oslo, and is bordered to the east by Sweden. The city of Lillehammer is in the next county neighboring Hedmark to the west. The landscape around the university campus sites is typically rolling hills, broad valleys, farmlands, and forested areas. Within easy driving distance are areas of higher elevation for hiking and skiing. It is one of the less urbanized areas in Norway, as about half of the inhabitants live on rural land.

The college consists of five campuses which vary in size and facilities, according to the disciplines taught at each location. There are separate libraries at each of the college campuses. There are some resources in English, though most, of course, is in Norwegian. Students have found the library staff to be very helpful. Computers are available at each campus. You should note, however, that neither the library nor computer rooms stay open late into the evening. Public transportation between the campuses is either by train or bus.

Academic life in Norway is different to some other countries in the world. Two factors that have direct impact on you as international students are:

1) Evaluation of your courses will occur underway, with shorter papers and presentations. However, the final paper is considered the synthesis of what you have learned the entire semester

2) Students often work more independently in Norway. You are to take the initiative to formulate questions and a research approach that will assist you in writing a quality final paper. At the same time, individual or group tutorials assist you with guidance and feedback during this critical process

Student life in Hedmark is really active. There are a number of clubs and organized activities on campus. There are also local hangouts near campus. Student groups range from music to sports. Information about such activities and groups is not always translated to English, but there is a student activities coordinator you can ask for information. Your “godparent” or the international coordinator on campus will also be good people to ask. You are welcome to join these organizations, and it is a great way to meet fellow students from Hedmark!

About Norway

Norway is one of the three Scandinavian countries in the Northern part of Europe.

The people of Norway have never been afraid of going their own ways. A thousand years ago the Vikings sailed their ships south to the Mediterranian, east to the Black Sea and all the way west to Greenland, and many historians claim they even made it to New Foundland in North America.

Today, Norway is a modern country where our explorative mindset is geared towards technology, innovation and developing knowledge based society. Norway is a European country even though it is not part of the European Union (EU). But through the EEA-agreement Norway is fully integrated with the large European community in regards to everything from trade and economy to education and research. And as a participant in the Schengen agreement, travel to and from Norway is easy for people with legal residency in another Schengen country.

For the last years the United Nations (UN) has ranked Norway as having the highest standard of living in the world. This annual ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with expected length of lifetime, but also factors like human rights and cultural freedom. Norway is weighed high for its high literacy rate in addition to educational levels and material wealth.

Several cities in Norway have direct flights to European destinations. Both the major European national carriers and the new low cost carriers are serving destinations in many corners of Norway. The major hub for international flights to and from Norway is Oslo Airport Gardermoen.

Norwegians have a reputation of being somewhat introvert and difficult to get to know. But this should just be perceived as a first impression misunderstanding. Norwegians are generally both welcoming and open minded towards foreigners.

About higher education in Norway

Norway offers a unique student experience and Norwegian institutions of higher education welcome applications sent by qualified students from all over the world.

With a wide range of high quality courses and great flexibility, Norwegian institutions prove to be an ideal study destination. From vocational subjects to postgraduate and doctorate level, there are plenty of opportunities for students to fulfil their ambitions. You will also benefit from the informal atmosphere at Norwegian universities and university colleges, where teachers are easily approachable and tuition often takes place in small groups. Most institutions also have well equipped computer facilities with free Internet access.

Internationalisation is a priority within all sectors of the Norwegian education system, and universities and university colleges are constantly working to facilitate for international students. Nearly 12 000 foreign nationals are currently enrolled at Norwegian institutions of higher education.

Completing a university degree is often considered to be an expensive endeavour and tuition fees are usually making up the bulk part of the cost. Norwegian universities and state university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees for international students. In Norway it is possible to get quality education without having to pay tuition fees.

If certain prerequisites are met you could also be eligible for financial support that can pay for your living expenses. Through various fellowship programmes, scholarship schemes or student loans, international students can receive funding for a full degree or a limited number of semesters. However, you should take into consideration that living expenses in Norway are higher than in many other countries.

Non-Scandinavian citizens have to obtain a student residence permit before they can attend a programme. The application for student residence permit must be submitted from your country of origin or another country where you have been a legal resident for at least six months. Nationals covered by the EEA Agreement and the EFTA Convention may apply for the residence permit from within Norway.

To obtain a student residence permit in Norway:
- you must have an admission
- be ensured housing
- be ensured subsistence (you must have financial means equivalent to the amount of approximately NOK 85,000 for each year to cover your living costs)

More information about studying in Norway

Scholarships and support possibilities:

Scholarship information

Financial support for foreign students

Quota Scheme

Studying and living in Norway:

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration

http://www.visitnorway.com/

http://www.studyinnorway.no

Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK) = 0,114 €

Education: FREE

Books and supplies may cost up to NOK 840.- per month

Accommodation: total price pr month - NOK 2930.- (electricity and rent)

Transportation: NOK 1650.- per month

Food: NOK 3000.- per moth

Other expenses: NOK 1730.- per month

To obtain a student residence permit in Norway you must have financial means equivalent to the amount of approximately NOK 85,000 for each year to cover your living costs.

Student welfare organisation in Hedmark provides self-catering accommodation for students near every campus. Electricity costs are not included in the rent, but the elecricity have to be paid each month with the rent. There are common areas for socialising and a laundrette for students’ use connected with the bedsits.

The bed-sit is furnished with bed, desk with chair, wardrobe and bookcase. The kitchen/common room is shared between four residents and the bathroom is shared between two. The kitchen/common room contains hob and oven, fridge/freezer, kitchen furniture, table with chairs and TV.

Depending on your study programme, you may be permitted to work part-time to help finance your stay. A student may work a maximum number of 20 hours per week. Working in Norway requires a work permit. Work permit applications are processed by UDI (the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration).

Regardless of whether you are looking for a professional job or a part-time job, the most important factor for your success is to know Norwegian. Although many Norwegians master English quite well, the fact is that most employers prefer to be able to communicate with their employees in Norwegian. Therefore, the best advice we can give you is to learn Norwegian as soon as possible.

There are some types of jobs you can apply for even if you do not master Norwegian - but speaking English is a necessity. Here are some examples: newspaper delivery, advertisement distribution, cleaning, warehouse work, production work within industry, work in restaurants/pubs/cafeterias, e.g. cook, waiter, dishwasher, providing private services (gardening, baby-sitting, maintenance work, cleaning, handiwork), work in moving companies etc.

If you come from a European country, you can look for vacant positions in Norway from your home country through EURES (European Employment Service).

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