Program Details: University of Oslo
Is this program for me?
The University of Oslo is Norway’s largest and oldest institution of higher education. It was founded in 1811 when Norway was still under Danish rule. It is currently ranked as one of the world's top 100 universities by Shanghai World Ranking. Today, the University of Oslo has approximately 27,000 students, 13% of which are international students. It is also the home of four Nobel Prize winners which demonstrates the quality of the research at this university. Exchange students will be fully immersed in this modern research university. The exchange offers academic programs for both undergraduate and post-graduate students. There are currently more than 800 courses aimed at exchange students with over 40 graduate programmes taught in English. This exchange program requires students to have a high level of independence and self-reliance to navigate and manage the administrative necessities. This program is ideal for students who are seeking a full immersion into a highly regarded Norwegian university.
Website for new international students
UiO Website for Exchange Programmes and Bilateral Agreements
UiO offers an awesome summer program! Details on the summer option are available at the bottom of this page.
Location
Oslo is situated in the southeast part of the country at the base of the Oslo Fjord, which opens into the North Sea. Oslo is smaller than most capital cities, with only about 600,000 inhabitants. An elegant and sophisticated city with an international flavor, Oslo not only offers every urban amenity, but is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Just outside the city, you’ll have easy access to skiing, snow boarding, mountain or rock climbing, sailing, boating, camping and hiking. The rail system in Norway is world-class, linking Oslo to small towns, villages, national parks, and ski slopes quickly and inexpensively. University of Oslo's main campus is Blindern, which is just a short distance from Oslo's city center.
Cost
2017-2018 Estimated Semester Budget
A PIC Partnership Grant is available ($1,000 each) 2 available per year for this program.
Any student studying abroad for a semester is automatically considered for the Study Abroad Semester Grand, click here for the grant guidelines.
The cost of any study abroad program depends to a large extent on the participant's personal spending habits and lifestyle.
Oslo International Summer School SCHOLARSHIP - Students interested in applying for scholarship support to study at UiO for the summer will be required to submit a completed UiO Summer Application to the UiO Office by February 1. Additional information can be found on the International Summer School (ISS) website.
Visa Information
US citizens will be required to apply for a residence permit for stays longer than 90 days. The student visa guide provides information regarding the application process. Please note that the appropriate consulate or embassy must be consulted for the most up-to-date visa information.
Additional information can also be found on the UiO Residence Permit Website
Housing and Meals
Students studying at the University of Oslo will live in residence halls provided that the required information is submitted by the deadline. Most housing units are single rooms. You will receive additional information on securing your housing placement with your acceptance materials from the University of Oslo. Additional information can be found at: https://www.uio.no/english/student-life/services/housing/
University of Oslo offers a wide range of housing options for students to choose from. Not all of the housing units are close to campus. Many of the units will require students to commute. The apartment complexes that are closest to campus are th Vestgrensa Student Village (10-15 minute walk) or the Sogn Student Village (20-25 minute walk).
There are many restaurants and cafes near UiO. Additionally, there are student cafeterias where students can enjoy a reasonably priced meal.
Program Dates
Program Options:
Fall: Mid August—mid December (approx. 18 weeks)
Academic Year: August—June
Winter: Early January—Mid-June (approx. 21 weeks)
Courses (semester exchange)
Courses available to GVSU exchange students at the University of Oslo:
Access the Course List for a list available courses and course descriptions.
How will the course I take at University of Oslo transfer back my GVSU transcript?
If the course you wish to take at UiO appears on the "Existing Course Equivalencies" list, you do not need to secure course approval for that course. The courses on this list have already been approved by the relevant academic department.
Existing Semester Course Equivalencies
The credit system at the University of Oslo is quite different from the US system. Students will take fewer classes (usually 3), but can expect a similar workload to a GVSU semester with 5 classes. The credits per course range from 5 to 20. The Norwegian credits are called "studiepoeng." The studiepoeng is similar in value to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Typically, 2 studiepoeng credits will count as 1 GVSU credit. Since most of GVSU courses are 3 credit courses, PIC may adjust the credit amount by adding additional IS 380 credits to recognize the full semester credit load the student is completing abroad.
Note: This is not a full list of courses offer at this partner Institution
Summer Program
UiO offers students a great option for the summer! Students can apply to take 1-3 courses, earning between 3-9 credits for the summer. Students can choose from a wide variety of courses offered in the summer.
International Summer School Website
The program fee paid to UiO includes: housing, meals, health insurance, extra curricular activities, and one weekend excursion. Excursions may include a visit to the Oslofjord, Telemark, Jotunheimen mountain hike or Jotunheimen white water rafting.
Pre-Arrival Information for summer participants
Dates:: Late June—Late-July or early August (6 weeks)
Cost: Estimated Summer Budget
University of Oslo does offer several scholarships for the summer. The "partial" scholarship can cover the program fee which drastically reduces the cost of participation. Students interested in applying for scholarship support to study at UiO for the summer will be required to submit a completed UiO Summer Application to the UiO Office by February 1. Additional information can be found on the International Summer School (ISS) website.
Oslo Guides
The University of Oslo has a lot of information available on its website for new international students. Please refer to the website for details on arrival instructions, orientation, registering for classes, signing up for housing, immigration questions, and more.
University of Oslo Application Process
Step 1 - Students must apply and be accepted into the GVSU OASIS application system.
Step 2 - The Padnos International Center will provide all applicants with application instructions after the OASIS priority deadline.
Step 3 - Students must complete all required application materials for UiO.
Step 4 - Students receive admission into the program and are provided with additional pre-arrival instructions.
Campus Information
UiO is a short distance to Oslo's city center, making it accessible to shops, restaurants, cafes, and more.. The Norwegian Student Society in Oslo also offers concerts, lectures, improv theatre groups, social events, and a wide range of other social activities. New international students will also become members of the International Student's Union (ISU) which publishes a newsletter, and arranges various academic and social events for international students who are new to the area. For the outdoor lovers, Norway offers stunning hiking trails and scenic tours. There are also many sports activities for those who like to stay active!
Students who submit a request will be introduced to a "buddy" at the start of the semester. Your buddy will introduce you to UiO and the city during your first few days.
Travel Information
Students typically fly into Oslo's International Airport. UiO offers an arrival guide with information on making your way from the airport to the University. The Olso airport also offers information on getting to the city centre.