SCHOLARSHIPS IN NORWAY FOR 2009 INTAKE (Apply 1st Aug -1st Dec 2008)

THE QUOTA SCHEME SCHOLARSHIP

NB! This is an archived version of SIU's web site, and will remain available until all relevant historical data has been transferred to the new web site.
For current and updated information, please see the official SIU website at http://siu.no/en. You are here: SIU SIU's programmes Quota Scheme (support for students from developing countries, Central- and Eastern Europe and Central Asia)


Quota Scheme (support for students from developing countries, Central- and Eastern Europe and Central Asia)

The goal of the Quota Programme is to give students relevant education that would also benefit their home countries when they return after graduation. Also, the programme contributes to strengthen Norwegian institutions of higher education's participation in the global knowledge cooperation.

The Quota Scheme encompasses 1,100 students annually. Starting for the school year 2005-2006, 800 of the students will be from developing countries, while 300 will come from countries in Central- and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Please see the complete list of countries that are eligible under the programme.

As of January 1, 2005, the administration of the Scheme was transferred to SIU and the institutions should from now direct all inquiries regarding the Scheme to SIU instead of the Ministry of Education and Research. The State Educational Loan Fund ("Lånekassen") is still responsible for managing the financial support provided for the Quota Scheme students.

A brochure containing information about the quota scheme is available for download here. Paper copies may also be ordered from the same page.


About the Quota Scheme

General information...
Application procedures
Where to send the application, etc...
Who is eligible?
What are the requirements?...
List of countries eligible under the Quota Scheme
A complete country list...
Travelling to Norway and procedures on arrival
...
Reimbursement of the educational loan
...
A list of institutions which offer scholarships in the Quota Scheme
...


About the Quota Scheme

The Norwegian government provides scholarships for students from developing countries and countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia under the Quota Scheme. The objective of the Quota Scheme is to promote the internationalisation of higher education. Today, the Scheme gives funding to a total of 1100 students, 800 of them from the developing countries and the remainder from Central and Eastern Europe. Each year universities and university colleges in Norway are allocated a certain number of quota students. Most of the universities and university colleges in Norway offer courses and educational programmes in English. The Scheme normally includes courses at Master and PhD level, in addition to certain professional degrees. To find out which educational institutions and what types of education the programmes apply to, please contact the institutions directly.

The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Statens Lånekasse) is responsible for managing the financial support provided for the Quota students. Each student receives the same amount of money as a Norwegian student would do in an equivalent educational programme. About 30% of the amount is given as a grant and 70% as a loan but is waived when the student leaves the country after completing the course of study. Normally, the financial support should not exceed a time span of 4 years for one definite plan, or a combination of two programmes.

Travelling expenses for entry into Norway can be reimbursed (fixed price). Students can apply for one annual home visit if the educational programme lasts more than one year, as well as financial support for travelling expenses for field work during the course of study. When the student returns home within 3 months after finishing the course, the cost of travelling home is covered by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

More information is also available at
http://www.lanekassen.no/


Application procedures

If you are interested in applying for a course/programme under the Quota Scheme, please read carefully the information on this page.
The aim of the Quota Scheme is to promote international cooperation between the Norwegian higher educational institutions and the institutions in developing countries, Eastern European countries and countries in Central Asia, as well as to provide aid to these regions.

We wish to advise that the Quota Scheme only enrols students from institutions which have collaboration agreements with Norwegian universities. Norwegian institutions usually do not admit “free movers” (individual applicants) to this scheme. Only in very special cases can “free movers” be considered. Please contact the institutions for more detailed information.

To find out which institutions collaborate with Norwegian institutions, please refer to the webpage of the Norwegian institutions.

Students who come to Norway as self-financed students will, as a rule, not be considered as being qualified for the Quota Scheme.

SIU is not the handling/issuing body of quota places for students. The institutions of higher education that are part of the Quota Scheme are handling all applications from prospective students, and at no time is SIU involved in the selection process. Thus, SIU cannot answer individual questions from students regarding applications or courses.

Applications forms are available on the websites of the universities and university colleges. The deadline for applying for the Quota scheme is usually 1st. December every year. Some courses and educational programmes may have other deadlines than the this. Please contact the International Office at the university/college to which you want to apply.

All applications should be sent directly to the International Office at the university/college to which the student applies. The Letter of Admission is normally sent to the candidate by 15 April. The students will also receive relevant practical information about studying in Norway.


Who is eligible?

The Quota Scheme is available for nationals over the age of 18 from certain developing countries, and countries in Central- and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
[for a complete list of countries that are eligible under the Quota Scheme, please go here]

Where to study and what to study?

The Norwegian higher education sector consists of six universities, six specialised university institutions, 25 university colleges, two national academies of the arts, and 29 private higher education institutions. A list of all the institutions can be found at:

http://www.studyinnorway.no/

Most of the universities and colleges have an English version of their website, where applicants can find more detailed information about the educational programmes offered in the Quota Scheme. Students usually apply for a degree course which is based on continuation of their studies in their home country, or a course which can be a joint part of a degree course in their home country (Joint degree or “sandwich programmes”). Most of the programmes are at Master or PhD level, but the Quota Scheme also offers certain professional studies.

The basic requirements:

Students must apply directly from their home country and must have stayed at least one year in their home country directly prior to the planned course of study at the Norwegian university/university college. All candidates should usually have secondary school certificates plus two years of higher education from their home country with some exceptions for certain professional educational courses. For more detailed requirements for each programme please contact the international office at the respective universities/university colleges.

Enquiries regarding how academic papers (degrees, transcripts, etc.) from your home institution is transferred to Norway, you should contact the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), which is the Norwegian governmental organisation for recognition of foreign higher education. See: www.nokut.no (Please note that NOKUT can not assist you in the application process or offer advise to which programme/institution to choose).

English language requirements

English is used as the main teaching language in most of the universities and university colleges offering educational programmes and degrees under the Quota Scheme. Applicants who are not native English speakers must be able to document their proficiency in English. Applicants must either pass the TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 500/ 550, or 170 (computer-based), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 5.0/6.0 (the requirements may differ from university to university).

More information about the English language tests is available at:

http://www.ets.org/toefl/

http://www.ielts.org/

Competition to get into the Quota Scheme is often hard and there is no guarantee of enrolment in the educational programme if the applicant only meets the minimum requirements. Some programmes require higher marks. Please refer to the International Office at each university/university college for more detailed information about admission requirements.