Admission process for Norwegian Language, Culture and Social Studies for international students

Here you find information on how to apply to the to one-year studies level 2 and 3, and level 3 and 4.

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Questions regarding the admission

opptak@uis.no Tel.: 51 83 10 52

Questions regarding the study programme?

Study coordinator Asta Midttun Tel.: 51 83 12 23

If you would like to come in for questions or guidance, we ask that you arrange a time via e-mail.

Are you refugee from the war in Ukraine, read admission information on

Norwegian Language, Culture and Social Studies Level 2 and 3 for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine

and

Norwegian Language, Culture and Social Studies Level 3 and 4 for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine

Application period

1 February - 1 March

Start of studies

August every year

Tuition fees

Students from outside of the EU and EEA have to pay tuition fees in Norway. Read more about tuition fees and exemptions.

How to apply?

Registrer your application in the application portal Søknadsweb of the University of Stavanger. First, choose ‘Application for Norwegian Language and Culture programme’ and then whether you apply to level 2 and 3 OR level 3 and 4.

Read carefully through the admission requirements below. If you apply to the wrong programme and do not meet the requirements, your application will be rejected. It is not possible to change the application after 1 March.

Remember to save your application to complete the application process. You will receive a confirmation by e-mail when your application is registered. Sign up with an e-mail address you check regularly, as we will use this one to contact you.

Read below which documents must be uploaded. The deadline to submit documents is the same as the application deadline, 1 March. If you are taking a language test in Spring, upload a confirmation of your test registration by 25 April. The deadline for submitting language test results is 25 June.

Admission requirements to level 2 and 3

You must meet the education requirements for admission to higher education in Norway. For some countries, you are required to have higher education in addition to secondary education from the country of origin.

The education requirements can be checked on the GSU-list.

1. You must meet the English language requirements in accordance with the GSU-list (list of general study skills). For each country, the GSU-list indicates whether there is an English language requirement, and whether one can meet the requirements with secondary or higher education.

Applicants who have completed secondary school in one of the countries marked with “Ja” in the GSU-list, must provide documentation showing that they meet the English language requirements according to this website. Country specific exemptions are stated in the GSU-list.

Applicants who have completed secondary school in one of the countries marked with “Nei” in the GSU-list must upload the certificate of their higher secondary education.

2. You must meet the Norwegian language requirements, written and oral, on A2 level. This can be documented with one of the following:

  • Norwegian Language test for adult immigrants from Kompetanse Norge/ Vox with the result A2 in all four disciplines
  • Norwegian level 1 examination for international students at Norwegian universities
  • Official certificate documenting A2 level in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), from universities/colleges which offer Norwegian language examinations

If there are more qualified applicants than study places, applicants to level 2 and 3 will be ranked according to the following criteria:

  1. Applicants residing in Norway without any higher education beyond basic academic requirements mentioned in the GSU-list.
  2. Applicants residing in Norway without academic education equivalent to a Master's degree in Norway. (N.B. Students currently enrolled in a master degree programme will be placed under group 4.)
  3. Applicants from countries that do not require a visa for Norway and without higher education beyond basic academic requirements mentioned in the GSU-list.
  4. Applicants residing in Norway with higher education equivalent to a Master's degree in Norway.
  5. Applicants from countries that do not require a visa for Norway and with higher academic education.
  6. Other applicants
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Admission requirements to level 3 and 4

You must meet the education requirements for admission to higher education in Norway. For some countries, you are required to have higher education in addition to secondary education from the country of origin.

The education requirements can be checked on the GSU-list.

1. You must meet the English language requirements in accordance with the GSU-list (list of general study skills). For each country, the GSU-list indicates whether there is an English language requirement, and whether one can meet the requirements with secondary or higher education.

Applicants who have completed secondary school in one of the countries marked with “Ja” in the GSU-list, must provide documentation showing that they meet the English language requirements according to this website. Country specific exemptions are stated in the GSU-list.

Applicants who have completed secondary school in one of the countries marked with “Nei” in the GSU-list must upload the certificate of their higher secondary education.

2. You must meet the Norwegian language requirements, written and oral, on B1 level. This can be documented with one of the following:

  • Norwegian Language test for adult immigrants from Kompetanse Norge/ Vox with the result B1 in all four disciplines
  • Norwegian level 2 examination for international students at Norwegian universities
  • Official certificate documenting B1 level in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), from universities/colleges which offer Norwegian language examinations

If there are more qualified applicants than study places, applicants to level 3 and 4 will be ranked according to the following criteria:

  1. Applicants residing in Norway with higher education equivalent to a Master's degree in Norway.
  2. Applicants from countries that do not require a visa for Norway and with higher academic education.
  3. Applicants residing in Norway without academic education equivalent to a Master's degree in Norway.
  4. Applicants residing in Norway without any higher education beyond basic academic requirements mentioned in the GSU-list.
  5. Applicants from countries that do not require a visa for Norway and without higher education beyond basic academic requirements mentioned in the GSU-list.
  6. Other applicants
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Documentation requirements

Before you apply:

- Only upload official documentation - If the document is not in English or a Scandinavian language, it must be officially translated. Both translations and originals must be uploaded in the same PDF file. - Upload each document as PDF file. Before uploading the documents, change the file name according to the table below. - Documents must be clear and legible. Bad quality copies and unreadable documents will not be considered. - Check the documents you submit under «My documents» in the application portal Søknadsweb. If you have applied previously, you do not need to upload the same documents again.

If you have not yet taken language tests:

If you are not able to submit your Norwegian or English Language test results within 1 March, you need to upload the receipt of your test registration within 25 of April. The final day to submit test results is 25 June. All other documents must be uploaded within 1 March.

Country specific documentation requirements

Iran: Both Pre-University Diploma and High School Diploma have to be officially translated and translations must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please note that the original language version must always accompany the translation.  Gambia/ Ghana/ Liberia/ Nigeria: Access card/scratch card for the West African Examinations Council online result must be provided. Please double check that your results are available online. Philippines: Official transcript of records from higher education must be sent directly by the issuing institution to the Admission Office: Admission Office (Opptakskontoret) University of Stavanger P.O. Box 8600 FORUS N-4036 Stavanger Norway For other countries, please check Country List for country-specific requirements.

Required document File name How to submit
1. Final diploma from higher secondary educationSEC-country
(e.g. SEC-Latvia)		Upload the final diploma of your higher secondary education.
2. University diploma and transcript of records (if applicable)BC (Bachelor)
MA (Master)		Upload the final diploma and the transcript of records from all your higher education.
3. English language requirementsENGCheck how you meet the English language requirements and upload the official score report.
4. Norwegian language requirementsNORSKUpload the results from the Norwegian language test or your university exam. Results from Norway can be downloaded as PDF from the Vitnemålsportalen.
5. Passport/ documentation of change of name (if applicable)PASSUpload the page with photograph and name of your passport. The passport must be valid at the time of applying.
In case you have changed your name, provide official documentation of this in the same PDF file.
6. Residence certificate or documentation of financing RES (residence certificate)
or
FIN (documentation of financing)		If you are residing in Norway, upload a residence certificate from the current year.

Non-EU/EEA applicants must document access to NOK 128 887(this amount is subject to change. It is for the academic year 2022/23).
The documentation of financing can be documented with a recent official bank statement in your own name, a letter confirming that you are eligible for a scholarship/student loan from your home country, OR a sponsor guarantee letter and sponsor's recent official bank statement.
Questions regarding visa should be addressed to The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.
You may be required to show your original documents upon request.

Submission of fraudulent documents is illegal and will be reported to the appropriate authorities. By applying to the University of Stavanger you agree to allow the University of Stavanger to verify the authenticity of your documentation. The University of Stavanger maintains the right to contact governments, agencies, institutions and associations in order to verify your documentation.

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Read more about the programs

Level 2 and 3

Level 2 and 3
Level 3 and 4

Level 3 and 4

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