Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to the Norwegian Language Courses.
Main content
Please see information for your applicant group regarding admission, registration, wait list, scheduling and group change:
International students
Why am I unable to sign up for Norwegian language courses in Studentweb?
There may be several reasons as to why you are not able to sign up for our courses in Studentweb, but the most common are:
- The registration period has not yet started.
Check the dates for the upcoming semester here and try again later - You are not qualified for the course you are trying to register for.
Check “required previous knowledge” in the course description. If you are indeed qualified, but still can't register, write to studynorwegian@uib.no - The course is full.
If the course you would like to register for is full, please check again later. Vacant seats are published in Studentweb up until the registration deadline 1 September/1 February. - Level 1 classes have an earlier deadline than our other courses. We are unfortunately not able to receive applications for level 1 after the deadline.
I am on the wait list for a level 1 class. When can I expect an answer?
We contact students on the wait list continuously. We will notify you by email if we have a vacant seat. If you have not heard anything by 1 February/1 September, you should assume that we are unable to offer you a seat.
Can I change to a different group?
If you wish to switch groups after you have been admitted, you must first find another student to switch with. Once you have found someone to switch with, one of you can fill out this form.
Please check your course Mitt UiB page to find another student who wishes to switch to your current group.
International employees and partners of employees
When can I expect an answer to my application for admission to the Norwegian Language Courses in Søknadsweb?
You cannot expect an answer until at least a month after the application deadline. All offers of admission will be sent out by email.
Why have I received a reminder to register for the semester and/or pay the semester fee?
International employees and their partners do not need to register for the semester or pay the semester fee. Any automatic reminders about this can be ignored. The administration registers international employees and partners who have been admitted, for classes and exams around the deadline for semester registration on February 1/September 1.
Why was I not assigned a seat in my preferred group?
Each group has a limited number of seats, and we cannot guarantee all applicants admission to their first choice.
I need to withdraw from the course I have been admitted to. May I reserve my seat for next semester?
It is unfortunately not possible to reserve a seat. You are however more than welcome to apply again later.
If you need to withdraw your registration, we ask that you let us know by writing to studynorwegian@uib.no.
External applicants
The lecture times do not fit my schedule. Can I change to a different group?
It is unfortunately not possible to change groups.
I need to withdraw from the course I have been admitted to. May I reserve my seat for next semester?
It is unfortunately not possible to reserve a seat. You are however more than welcome to apply again later.
If you need to withdraw your registration, we ask that you let us know by writing to studynorwegian@uib.no.
Here are some frequently asked questions relevant to all current or former students of the Norwegian Language Courses:
Do I have to take a placement test?
Applicants who have not already completed a Norwegian language course at UiB or another Norwegian university, must complete a placement test in order to be considered for NOR-U2, NOR-U3, NOR-U4 or NOR-NYN. External applicants applying for admission to NOR-U4 must have passed level 3 from UiB with a grade of C or better, and are not eligible for a placement test.
The placement test will help ensure that you are offered the correct course level.
- International employees, partners and international students who have already accquired some knowledge of Norwegian outside of the University of Bergen, may sign up for a placement test.
- External applicants (immigrants and refugees) should not register for the placement test. Elligible external applicants receive an invite to the placement test a week before the test.
Classes, schedule, mandatory attendance, special needs
Where can I find my course schedule?
You can find your course schedule in Mitt UiB (calendar) as well as here.
Does my course have mandatory attendance?
All our courses have 75% compulsory attendance. More information about attendance and other compulsory requirements is available in the course description.
Is it possible to get special teaching or examination arrangements?
If you have a disability or other special needs, you can apply for individual accommodations for students. You can apply for the organization of both everyday study, exams and internships. You will find an application form and more concrete information about the facilitation measures we offer here.
The application deadline is 1 February/1 September.
User account and access
Why can I not access Mitt UiB as new student at UiB?
When a new student or employee is registered, their user account will be created automatically. The new user will be notified about this and must claim the user account.
- Students and employees with a Norwegian National Identity number claim their new user account via https://passord.uib.no. See full instructions on how to claim your UiB user account with a Norwegian National Identity number here.
- Persons who do not have a Norwegian National Identification Number will receive an e-mail with a unique link. You have to use the link to start the process of claiming your account. See full instructions on how to claim your UiB user account without a national identity number here.
I am an employee/previous student. Why can I no longer log in to UiB's systems?
If you have previously registered with a temporary ID number and have later received a Norwegian ID number, you may have trouble loging in to for instance, Søknadsweb (an error message may tell you your account is already in use by an other person). In this case you are registered with two accounts in the UiB systems. Contact studynorwegian@uib.no and we will help you.
If you want to check which external email that is registered with you account, or change it, you can do that here: "The common contact register": https://eid.difi.no/en/common-contact-register
Contact the IT Division - BRITA is the UiB IT service desk for employees, students and visitors.
Language requirements for permanent residency, citizenship/admission to higher education
How should I proceed to fulfill the language requirements for permanent residency and/or citizenship?
You will have to apply to the municipality to be granted an exemption from the obligation of Norwegian language training if you have acquired adequate knowledge of Norwegian.
Adequate knowledge of Norwegian may be achieved by passing one of the following courses from the Norwegian Language Courses at UiB:
- NOR-U1 + NOR-U2 (30 credits) or
- NOR-U1/2 (30 credits) or
- NOR-U2 + NOR-U3 (30 credits) or
- NOR-U3 (15 credits)
In Bergen kommune, you apply for an exemption by contacting Bergen Læringssenter. To document your knowledge of Norwegian when applying for an exemption, you can attach your transcript of records and the relevant course description(s) from UiB.
A transcript of records may be ordered in Studentweb.
We do not offer social studies as part of our Norwegian language courses, and we do not write confirmations of attendance.
What are the language requirements for admission to higher education in Norway?
The Norwegian language requirement for admission to Norwegian universities and university colleges can be met by passing NOR-U3. More information is available on NUCAS' website.
Confirmations and transcripts
Can I get a confirmation of my participation?
Normally, we do not write confirmations of participation, attendance, or exam results. The exceptions are:
Confirmations of attendance to refugees/immigrants that have been asked to provide documentation by NAV
Confirmations related to courses completed in 2004 or earlier
You may order a transcript of records in Studentweb. If more information is needed, you can attach the course description: NOR-INTRO, NOR-U1, NOR-U2, NOR-U3, NOR-U4, NOR-U1/2, NOR-NYN.
We do not offer social studies as part of our Norwegian language courses, and we do not write confirmations of attendance.
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
Exams
How do I sign up for the exam?
International students sign up for the exam in Studentweb before 1 February/1 September
Employees, partners, refugees, and immigrants who have been granted admission will be registered by the administration
Former Norwegian language course students with valid compulsory requirements may sign up for the exam only by submitting this form
When and where is my exam?
You may find an overview over every exam date and location at the Faculty of Humanities here. You will also find general exam information (time, place, duration) in Studentweb and in each course's course description.
Oral exam dates will be announced later than the written exam dates.
I am unable to attend the exam on the date given. What should I do?
If you have conflicting exams, or an important reason not to do the exam on the given date, contact us as soon as possible.
Please note that each student is responsible for staying informed about important dates.
Is it possible to get special examination arrangements?
If you have a disability or other special needs, you can apply for individual accommodations for students. You can apply for the organization of both everyday study, exams and internships. You will find an application form and more concrete information about the facilitation measures we offer here.
The application deadline is 1 February/1 September.
Where can I find my exam result?
Once your result is ready, you will find it in Studentweb. The result of a written examination should be ready after three weeks.
Can I get an explanation of my grade?
You are entitled to an academic justification of your grade.
The deadline for requesting an explanation is one week after the grade is published in Studentweb. You should normally receive the explanation within two weeks after you have requested it. The explanation can be given orally or in writing.
You ask for the explanation of your grade in Studentweb under "More" in the topbar.
I do not agree with my grade/result. What can I do?
If you don't agree with the result you have been given, you can appeal your grade. Your exam answer will then be reassessed by a new set of examiners.
The deadline for appealing is three weeks after your result is published in Studentweb. If you have requested an explanation, the deadline is three weeks after receiving the explanation.
- We recommend that you ask for an explanation before you appeal a grade.
- The outcome can be to your advantage, but also to your disadvantage or stay the same.
- You cannot appeal the result of an oral exam.
You may appeal your grade in Studentweb under "More" in the topbar.
