How to apply
Are you ready for a semester in Norway? Here you will find information about the different steps towards your study period at Western Norway University of Applied Science (HVL).
The following information applies to exchange students at Bachelor's and Master's level. If you want to apply for a single course at PhD-level, please follow this link.
Application periods
The online application system is open for nominations and applications in the following periods:
Autumn semester: 1 March - 15 April
Spring semester: 15 September - 15 October
Please note that HVL operates with 3 weeks processing time after the end of call for applications.
Step 1: Nomination
You must be nominated by your home university before you can apply for admission. HVL will send information about the online nomination system to all partners, in due time before the online nomination system opens.
After you have been nominated, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete your application through the online application system, Søknadsweb.
Step 2: Log in
Use the link in the e-mail you received and proceed to the online application system, Søknadsweb. Select English language in the left-hand menu, and then choose «Login for users without Norwegian National Identification Number». Log in with your e-mail address and the password you received in the email.
Step 3: Fill in "My Profile"
Fill in your personal information in «My Profile».
Please fill out your complete home address, including postal code and city of residence. Your home address cannot be the same as your university address.
Step 4: Choose courses/study area
Please choose your courses/study area.
Here you will find a list over available courses and full semester programs.
Step 5: Upload required documents
To complete your application, you are required to upload the following documents:
- ID (passport or national identity card).
- Official Transcript of Records in English from home institution.
Note that the documents must ble uploaded as PDF-files.
Step 6: Create Online Learning Agreement (OLA)
This step is only necessary for Erasmus+ students.
HVL requires you to use Online Learning Agreements (OLA). Please check with your home university if you have any questions about this format. Your OLA does not need to be uploaded as part of your application.
Please consult the list of academic contact persons to correctly identify who signs your OLA. If you need further assistance identifying your contact person, please send an email to international@hvl.no.
What’s next?
When you have finished all the steps above, the Division of Research, Internationalisation and Innovation at HVL will process your application. Please note that HVL operates with 4 weeks processing time after the end of call for applications.
Below is a list of questions and answers about what happens after you finished your application.
When will I receive the result of my application?
You will receive the result of your application within 4 weeks after the application deadline. It is important that you accept the offer of admission via Søknadsweb within the deadline given in the acceptance letter.
When you have accepted the offer your executive officer will send you more information about accommodation and semester start.
Where can I find the result of my application?
When HVL have finished processing your application you will receive an e-mail with the application results. You can also check the status of your application at Søknadsweb.
Where do I get information about where to live, how to get there and other information about my campus?
When you have accepted the offer of admission, HVL will send you an email with information about housing in the city your campus is located. HVL cooperates with the student welfare organisation, Sammen, regarding housing.
Read more about accommodation, student life, how to get there, the campuses and more here.
Is there anything more I need to do before I get the result of my application?
No. If you have handed in all necessary documents and registered which subjects you wish to take, there is nothing more to do before receiving the result of your application and respond to this. If there is anything missing from your application, HVL will contact you by e-mail.
Whom can I contact if I have any questions?
You can contact the Division of Research, Internationalisation and Innovation at international@hvl.no.
I haven’t received any answer to my application, and it has been over four weeks. What should I do?
If there has been over four weeks since the application deadline, you should contact us at international@hvl.no.
Please note that the processing time is four weeks from the deadline (15 April or 15 October), and not from the date you applied.
Do I need a visa? And when do I need to apply?
You can only apply for a visa once you have received an offer of admission from HVL. You should apply for a visa and/or study permit as soon as you receive this, as it might take some time to process the application(s). You can read more about visas and study permits on our webpages
Will there be an introduction/orientation week?
In the beginning of each semester HVL organises Orientation days. Over two days we make sure that you get all the necessary information about being a student in Norway and at your campus.
The HVL buddy program organises activities during the Orientation days and throughout the semester. In the buddy program you are divided into groups consisting of both buddies and international students. Your buddies will introduce you to the city and include you in campus life in general.