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Faculty of Science and Technology

Study in Svalbard

The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) provides an opportunity to receive unique field-based teaching with its unique geographical location. UNIS has an advantage by using nature as a laboratory, an arena for observations and data collection and analysis.The University Centre in Svalbard constitutes an important resource for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
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The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)

Main content

Would you like to spend a semester at Norway's most northern and exotic university, namely the University Center at Svalbard? Here you will have the oppertunity to be in anÌýexciting and large international academic environment within Arctic research and all courses at UNIS areÌýfield-based.

Who can study at UNIS?

A stay at the University Center in Svalbard requires that you as a student at UiB have prior knowledge in certain subject areas that can qualify for admission to courses offered at UNIS. Since the subject areas taught at UNIS include Arctic biology, Arctic geology, Arctic geophysics and Arctic physics and technology, there will be study programs related to these disciplines that have customized curricula. The Faculty of Science and Technology recommends that students wishing to stay at UNIS contact their study consultant at their institute for information on which subjects at UNIS are recommended in your program of study and whether these can be included in your study plan.

Courses atÌýUNIS

As a student at the Faculty of Science and Technology you have the possibility to apply for admission to courses within various academic disciplins at UNIS. All courses offered at UNIS are approved by UIB and can be included as part of your degree.

Academic fieldsÌýand admission requirements

In order to qualify for admission to courses at UNIS, there is a requirement for 60 ECTSÌýof competence in scientific subjects. For the different subject areas, there are someÌývarious requirements demandedÌýfor admission:

Arctic biology60 ECTS scientific subjects of which 30 ECTS includes biology
Arctic geology60 ECTS scientific subjects of which 30 ECTS includes geology/geophysics
Arctic geophysics60 ECTS mathematics/geophysics/physics/mechanics/chemistry
Arctic technology60 ECTS mathematics/physics/mechanics/chemistry

In the admission to UNIS, the 60 ECTSÌýwith the highest grade will be taken into considerationÌýin order to give the applicant the highest possible grade point average.

Courses

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

200-levelsBachelor
300-levels²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ùÌý
800-levelsPh.D

Ìý

How to apply for admisson

For admission to UNIS courses, you applyÌýthrough an on UNIS's home website.

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

  • 1stÌýof March- for the summer and autumn semester
  • 1stÌýof October - for the spring semester

You apply directly to UNIS and do not need to applyÌýto UiB (norwegian students with admission to UiB), but it is strongly recommended that you inform yourÌýstudentÌýconsultant 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 rightÌýfor the upcoming semester. If you are delayed in your course of study, you must attach a confirmation in the application for an extended study rightÌýat UiB during the semester for which you are applying for admission. Contact your studentÌýconsultant or the Student Information Center for an official confirmation of this.

Ìý

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 ECTSÌýwith the highest grade will be taken into considerationÌýin 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 mustÌýapplyÌýfor and applyÌýfor admission to UiB.

Before departure

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 theÌýsemester 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 forÌýcourses taught at UiB.

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

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

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

  • Apply early! LÃ¥nekassen 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 TechnologyÌýstating which studyprogram you are a student inÌýand 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 taughtÌýoutside the regular semesters. Contact your department or the faculty of mathematics and natural sciences for this confirmation.Ìý

Practical Information

Information about student life at UNIS is provided on . 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 for good and practical advice on safety prevention and what to do when an emergency occurs. Also get to know the Ìýproceedures 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 itsÌýown regulation of tax and VAT on goods, and it is therefore significantly cheaper to buy sports equipment in Svalbard than on the mainland. Due toÌýtourism 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.)

Contact Information

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

Questions related to your studyprogram at UiB andÌýyour stayÌýat UNIS can be addressed to: