Study in Svalbard

In order to qualify for admission to courses at UNIS, there is a requirement for 60 ECTS of competence in scientific subjects. For the different subject areas, there are some various requirements demanded for admission:

In the admission to UNIS, the 60 ECTS with the highest grade will be taken into consideration in order to give the applicant the highest possible grade point average.

At the University Centre in Svalbard it is taught courses at bachelor's- master's and Ph.D levels.

For admission to UNIS courses, you apply through an online application form on UNIS's home website.

There are 3 application deadlines throughout the year, these are:

• 1st of April - for the autumn semester
• 1st of October - for the spring semester
• 1st of February - for summer courses

You apply directly to UNIS and do not need to apply to UiB (norwegian students with admission to UiB), but it is strongly recommended that you inform your student consultant at your departement that you are applying for admission to UNIS. The student must prove in the application to UNIS that you have an active study right at UiB during the semester for which you are applying for admission. This can be confirmed by attaching a screen shot from Studentweb showing your study right for the upcoming semester. If you are delayed in your course of study, you must attach a confirmation in the application for an extended study right at UiB during the semester for which you are applying for admission. Contact your student consultant or the Student Information Center for an official confirmation of this.

UiB has quota places for some subjects at UNIS, which assures that a certain number of students from UiB are secured admission in courses to which these quotas apply. UNIS allocates the quota places to the qualified UiB students based on grades. In the admission to UNIS, the 60 ECTS with the highest grade will be taken into consideration in order to give the applicant the highest possible grade point average.

International Students

International students who are nominated for an exchange period at UiB and wants to apply for courses at UNIS must apply for admission to UNIS and apply for admission to UiB.

A stay at UNIS is not regarded as an exchange semester, but as an external semester at another educational institution in Norway.

Semester Registration
You are still registered as a student at UiB during the semester you spend at UNIS. This means that you pay the semester fee and semester register yourself at UiB for the semester you stay at UNIS. Semesterregistration for courses at UNIS is also done in the studentweb in the same way you semesterregister for courses taught at UiB.

Insurance
As a student at UNIS, it is important that you check that you have the right type of insurance and that your insurance covers your stay at Svalbard. As a student you are not insured through UiB or UNIS.

Lånekassen/Student loan (This applies for norwegian students only)
You should not apply to Lånekassen/student loans for an "exchange program", as Svalbard is Norwegian. When staying at UNIS in the autumn/spring semester, you apply for support from Lånekassen on the same grounds as if you were on the MatNat campus during the semester. You do not receive travel support from Lånekassen for the flight to or back from Svalbard.

NB! For summer courses at UNIS, you can apply for additional funding from Lånekassen, as these courses are held outside the autumn and spring semester. To apply for additional funding for summer courses at UNIS:

• Apply early! Lånekassen often has a long processing time (8-12 weeks)
• Please attach documentation accepted admission/stay at UNIS
• Please attach your own application for what you need support for (summer course) and how long you need support (number of weeks).
• Attach a signed confirmation from the Faculty of Science and Technology stating which studyprogram you are a student in and that your stay at UNIS is approved as part of your educational plan, and that the course can only be taken as a summer course and is taught outside the regular semesters. Contact your department or the faculty of mathematics and natural sciences for this confirmation. 

Information about student life at UNIS is provided on UNIS's website. Here you will find information on arrival, accommodation and general expenses to expect when staying at Svalbard.

Safety

Always keep in mind your own and others' safety. Check UiB's website sikresiden.no for good and practical advice on safety prevention and what to do when an emergency occurs. Also get to know the UNIS' health, safety and environment proceedures for your stay in Svalbard.

Equipment and clothing

There is no denying that a stay at the University Center in Svalbard means that summer clothes and sandals can be left at home. It is important to pack warm, good winter clothes (Wool is strongly recommended) as the average temperature in Svalbard in the summer months is around 7 ° C, while in the winter months it is around -14 ° C.

Svalbard has its own regulation of tax and VAT on goods, and it is therefore significantly cheaper to buy sports equipment in Svalbard than on the mainland. Due to tourism and expected outdoor life in Svalbard, there are up to several sports shops in Longyearbyen.

The UNIS Student Council also offers very good lending opportunities, where it is possible to borrow equipment for field trips and general excursions in Svalbard. In addition, you can borrow equipment for snowmobiles (snowmobile suits, helmets, etc.)

If you would like more information or have questions about UNIS, please contact:

• UNIS - study@unis.no

Questions related to your studyprogram at UiB and your stay at UNIS can be addressed to:

• Faculty of Science and Technology - studie.matnat@uib.no
• Department of Biological Sciences - studie@bio.uib.no
• Department of Earth Sciences - studieveileder@geo.uib.no
• Geophysical Institute - studieveileder@gfi.uib.no
• Department of Physics and Technology - studie.fysikk@uib.no