The University of Stavanger aims to ensure that students from underrepresented groups within student mobility and students who need accommodation can participate in Erasmus+ exchanges.
Students from underrepresented groups within student mobility and students with disabilities often face different challenges compared to others when it comes to participating in exchange activities. The Erasmus+ program places special emphasis on providing opportunities for all students to go on exchange.
The University of Stavanger (UiS), like other universities and colleges participating in Erasmus+, is committed to accommodate students with special needs or disabilities.
Support options
Erasmus+ additional grant for students from underrepresented groups within student mobility
Students from underrepresented groups within student mobility can receive an additional grant of € 250 per month. The additional grant is to ensure inclusion and diversity in Erasmus+. Additional grant for students from underrepresented groups depend on the availability of Erasmus+ funding.
This applies to the following students:
- Students with children or other caring responsibilities: Students who have children under 18 years old, regardless of whether the child accompanies them on the exchange. Students who are the primary caregiver of younger siblings, elderly family members and/or family members with serious mental and/or physical illness or addiction
- Students with permanent disabilities or chronic illnesses. This does not refer to temporary or minor challenges, but to conditions that significantly limit the student’s ability to participate on the same terms as others. This may include physical, cognitive, or psychological barriers that require specific support for the student to be able to function throughout their studies.
- Students with refugee status
- Students who belong to or have a connection to the indigenous population (Sámi) or one of the national minorities (Jews, Kven/Norwegian Finns, Romani/Taters, Forest Finns and Roma). For a student to qualify under this category, their affiliation must be linked to language and cultural heritage. This means that the student either: 1) Use the relevant minority or Indigenous language as their home language and/or 2) Has og has had a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who used the relevant language as their home language. Or (applicable to Sámi students only): 3 ) Is registered in the Sámi Parliament electoral register (Sámi elecotral roll), or is the child of a person who is or has been registered in the Sámi Parliamen electoral register.
Or (applicable to Sámi students only):
3. Is registered in the Sámi Parliament electoral register (Sámi electoral roll), or is the child of a person who is or has been registered in the Sámi Parliament electoral register.
Documentation requirements:
- Tick the box for "top-up amount for students with fewer opportunities" in the Grant Agreement
- Students will then be contacted by the International Office and asked to sign a declaration ("declaration on honour") to confirm that you are a student from an underrepresented group
Erasmus+ inclusion support for accommodation
Erasmus+ inclusion support is for students with disabilities who need accommodation.
UiS has the opportunity to apply for additional funds from The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir). These funds are intended to cover extra expenses during the exchange that are not covered by public support schemes that the student is entitled to bring from Norway. The grant has documentation requirements and the amount is based on documented expenses.
Contact the Erasmus+ coordinator through the Exchange Guide in the Digital student service desk for more information.
Lånekassen (The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund)
If you have a disability, you may be eligbible to apply for an additional grant from Lånekassen to cover extra expenses related to your exchange. Please note that support from Lånekassen is not available to all students from outside of Norway and that you must check whether you are eligible.
Sophies Minde Foundation
Sophies Minde Foundation offers a scholarship specifically for students with mobility disabilities pursuing bachelor's or master's studies. The scholarship can also be awarded in connection with exchange stays. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage more students with disabilities to pursue higher education and to facilitate the completion of their studies.
Assistance and advice from the International Office
If you have special needs or a disability and are unsure how to proceed with an exchange experience, you can contact the International Office through the Exchange Guide in the Digital student service desk to seek advice and assistance throughout the process.
Our partner universities may request documentation in English. If you are going to a university within Erasmus+, you can apply for funds to cover the costs of an approved translator. Please contact the International Office for information about this. You can also check with your medical doctor if they can provide documentation in English.
