Study abroad: practical information prior to departure
The learning process starts before departure
Before you depart for your exchange, but after you have applied to the partner university, there are various tasks you must do.
1: Before departure (but after you have applied)
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Have you applied for exchange?
Nine steps to apply for study abroad.
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Have you received an offer of admissiom from the partner university?
Before continuing with your practical preparations, you must have received a Letter of Admission from the partner university, which clearly states (1) which semester you will study there including a start and end date, and (2) whether you must pay fees and, if so, the total amount of such fees.
Confirmation of exchange place abroad
You must confirm to the partner university that you accept the offer of admission. You can do this either via the partner university’s electronic system or by e-mail.
If you are required to pay fees, you normally need to pay a deposit to confirm your exchange place. Follow the instructions you receive from the partner university.
NB (only for students receiving loan from Norwegian Educational State Loan Fund - Lånekassen): Remember that you must send a copy of the Letter of Admission to the Norwegian Educational State Loan Fund when you apply for your loan and grant. The Norwegian Educational State Loan Fund will not process your application until they have received this.
Important links
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Exchange contract (self-declaration about student exchange periods under the auspices of UiT)
Prior to departure, you must sign a standard contract with UiT via your faculty. Contact the Exchange adviser at your faculty.
NB Please note that you cannot apply for a visa until you have received your Letter of Admission from the institution abroad.This contract clarifies the rights and obligations of the parties, including the distribution of responsibility between the university and the student, in the event of unforeseen circumstances occurring during the student exchange. The contract specifies conditions and obligations.
Terms and conditons for echange studies under the auspices of UiT
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Apply for a visa well in advance
You will require a student visa to study in many countries outside Europe. Check the relevant visa rules as early as possible since the process time can take several months in some countries.
NB! Please note that you cannot apply for a visa until you have received your Letter of Admission from the institution abroad. Passport valid for more than six months after your return to Norway
NB: Remember the Letter of Admission from the partner university, your passport, bank card and a passport photo when you visit foreign embassies/consulates in Norway, and any other documents you are notified to take. Please contact the embassy/consulate in advance to confirm which documents you require.
Important links
Contact information to all embassies/diplomatic missions accredited to Norway (in Norwegian)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel information (in Norwegian)
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Plan your insurance
Voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
You retain your membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme if you will study abroad for less than 12 months or if you have received financial support for your studies abroad from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. Confirmation of this insurance will be sent automatically from the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (HELFO) once your loan application has been processed. You will find more information on the website of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) below. You are personally responsible for investigating and obtaining the correct insurance policies that cover necessary conditions before you depart on your student exchange abroad.
European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card officially documents that you are entitled to coverage of medically necessary healthcare in another EEA country or in Switzerland under the same conditions as that country’s own nationals.
Membership in Equian for students in USA
If you are going on an exchange to USA, it’s possible that the American higher education institution will request a more detailed description of your rights to coverage of health services. You can contact Equian to arrange the documentation the American higher education institution requires. Equian can also send you a card to use when receiving medical treatment in USA. You will find more information below.
Liability insurance for trainees (nursing)
For outbound students going on a traineeship in nursing or other health-related traineeships, it’s important that the insurance includes liability insurance and that it covers this type of traineeship. Insurance from the Norwegian Nurses’ Organisation is one alternative
Important links
What does extended subsidisation cover during residence abroad? (in Norwegian)
Voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (in Norwegian)
NAV’s Student abroad (in Norwegian)
Membership in Equian for students in USA (in Norwegian)
Insurance from the Norwegian Nurses’ Organisation (in Norwegian)
European Health Insurance Card
NB!
- Students who receive a salary or have completed their studies
Students who receive financial support from the Norwegian Educational State Loan Fund are usually compulsory members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. However, if you receive a salary or are going on a traineeship after completing your degree (so-called Erasmus Recent Graduate Students), you are no longer covered. To retain your membership during your period abroad, you must apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. See the link above.
- International students at UiT
International students at UiT must apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme to be entitled to the same rights. Apply via NAV International. The membership is free providing you are not earning money abroad.
- EEA or Swiss students at UiT
Students with EEA or Swiss citizenship who do not receive financial support from the Norwegian Educational State Loan Fund are members of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme during student exchanges of less than 12 months’ duration. If you will spend longer than 12 months in the country, you must apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
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Supplementary liability insurance
You need supplementary liability insurance (health insurance and travel insurance). The Norwegian National Insurance Scheme entitles you to coverage of certain health services, but does not cover, for instance, transportation to your home country in the event of illness. Familiarise yourself with different insurance solutions by contacting various companies or your bank.
Important links
ANSA (Association of Norwegian Students Abroad) has special insurance policies for students studying abroad. You must sign up as a member of ANSA to be able to purchase ANSA insurance policies. They also offer insurance for students going on traineeships.
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Vaccines
Remember to take any necessary vaccines prior to departure. Some countries and institutions require proof that you have taken specific vaccines.
Check which vaccines are recommended by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health:
Important links
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Housing
Remember to arrange a place to live prior to departure.
Most partner universities that receive exchange students from UiT will help the students to find a place to live. For more information, please check the website of the partner university. In many cases, you will receive the offer of housing via the partner university before departure. Some even offer a housing guarantee. Others state that they cannot guarantee housing but provide information about where and how to apply for housing. Those who do not have the offer of housing (rare) generally offer good help with self-help. We do not recommend under any circumstances that you pay a deposit for housing on the private market before seeing it.
Important links
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Travel and experience the world!
2: While you are on exchange (overseas)
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Register your new semester address in Studentweb
You must update details of your new address abroad in Studentweb as soon as you arrive at the higher education institution abroad.
Important links
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Remember Confirmation of Arrival
You must send your Confirmation of Arrival while you are on your exchange to mobility@support.uit.no (This confirmation must be received within two weeks of your arrival at the higher education institution abroad).
Important links
Download "Confirmation of Arrival" (This confirmation must be received within two weeks of your arrival at the higher education institution abroad)
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Change of course
If you must change your course, please contact your Exchange adviser at the faculty.
Important links
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Extension of student exchange
If you wish to extend or reduce the length of your student exchange, please contact your Exchange adviser as soon as possible. To gain an extension, you need to be nominated again by the host university’s application deadline.
Important links
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Interruption of student exchange
You must inform UiT immediately of all changes to the planned student exchange, including interruption of your student exchange, the duration of the student exchange, changes of courses for which you have received prior recognition and extended absence from the higher education institution.
Important links
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Safety on student exchanges abroad
We want you to have a successful and informative student exchange abroad. Consequently, it’s important that you are safe while you are on the exchange and that you are well prepared in advance.
Remember insurance (check under "1: Before you depart – after you have applied).
Here is an overview of the precautions you must take to ensure this:
- You may contact the security guards/emergency preparedness management at UiT on +47 48 03 25 24 if required.
- Always make a copy of your passport, visa and other important documents in case of theft. Store the originals in a safe place.
- Keep your next-of-kin updated about how you are getting on. Ensure they have your contact address and phone number abroad.
- Download the free app from Sjømannskirken – Norwegian Church Abroad that makes travel abroad safer Sjømannskirken has its own emergency phone line open 24/7: +47 951 19 181.
- Follow advice from employees at UiT and the partner university about which areas are safe and unsafe. Avoid areas with high levels of crime.
- Be careful: Always follow the country’s laws. Something that is permitted in Norway is not necessarily permitted in other countries. Don’t use drugs. Most countries have severe penalties for drug-related offences.
3: After the student exchange (arrival to Norway)
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Final approval of courses
Send your application to the exchange coordinator at your faculty. This is compulsory in order to receive the remainder of your grant.
NB: Transcript of records
It’s your responsibility to submit the transcript of records from the partner university abroad to the exchange coordinator at your faculty at UiT (certified copy). It’s an advantage if you can collect your transcript of records before you travel home. However, if this is not possible, ensure that the transcript of records will be sent to your home address.
If the transcript of records is sent directly to the International Cooperation Section at UiT, web will send a copy to your faculty and upload the original on the Studentweb. E-mail: mobility@uit.no
The credits from the exchange will automatically be reported to the Norwegian Educational State Loan Fund. The credits will be stated on your diploma from UiT, but not the grades. You attach the transcript of records from the partner university as an appendix to your final diploma issued by UiT.
Important links
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Be a volunteer for Debut WEEK International
Debut Week International is an orientation programme that facilitates the social and academic integration of international students into UiT's academic community and Norwegian society. The programme is a cooperation between the Department of Academic Affairs, the Student Welfare Organisation (both the Housing Department and the Students Counselling Centre), the Student Parliament, DebutUka and the International Students Union.
Important links
Sist endret: 23.09.2022 16.50
