Student exchange and internationalisation

1. Our collaboration with NORDEFCO

   If you are interested in taking part in any of the study programmes under the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) umbrella, please contact your national NORDEFCO representative. 

   Work requirements and exams can be delivered in Danish, Swedish, English or Norwegian. The teaching takes place mainly in Norwegian. 

Internationalisation

1. Erasmus+

   Norwegian institutions of higher education have access to participation in the Erasmus+ cooperation through the EEA agreement. Erasmus+ finances student exchange between programme countries (the EU’s 28 Member States as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Norway) and between programme countries and partner countries. In addition to student and teacher mobility, the Erasmus+ programme can help support development projects and collaborative projects in education. In collaborative projects, the EU requires 3 or more programme countries to join forces in one project. 

   Read the Erasmus Policy Statement

2. Nordplus

   Nordplus is administered by the Nordic Council and is a program that supports initiatives in education, sports, culture, language networks and educational cooperation between the Nordic countries in addition to the Baltic countries. The program for higher education will finance educational projects across national borders that support Nordic cooperation. Nordplus requires 3 or more program countries to join together on the application. The application can include both mobility for undergraduate students, master students and academic staff. Nordplus does not support research projects.
   
   Link to the Nordplus website

3. Partners

   NDUC has a number of agreements for academic cooperation worldwide. Both for education and research purposes.

   Institutions with an MoU or cooperation agreement with NDUC:
   Escuela Superior de Guerra - Colombia War College
   Forsvarsakademiet - Royal Danish Defence College
   Forsvarshögskolan - Swedish Defence University
   Institute for Defence studies and Analyses - India
   King's College - United Kingdom
   University of Glasgow - United Kingdom
   Military Academy Belgrade - Serbia
   National Defence University - USA
   Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) - USA
   Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces - Germany
   Royal Military Academy - Belgium
   United States Military Academy West Point - USA

   International networks:
   EUAFA - European Air Force Academies
   EMILYO - European Initiative for the Exchange of Military Young Officers 
   NORDEFCO - Nordic Defence Cooperation
   IAMA - International Association of Military Academies
   ISMS - International Society of Military Sciences
   PfP - Partnership for Peace

   NDUC is looking for more opportunities to cooperate within the framework of student exchange and research collaboration. Please contact Marit Rye-Ramberg for more information.

Student exchange

1. The NDUC

   Our organisation

   

   The NDUC is academically independent and provides education at bachelor and master levels to military professionals from all branches of the Norwegian Armed Forces, partners and civilians.

   The Norwegian Defence University College is located in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Lillehammer and Ullensaker:

   • The Norwegian Defence NCO School (Sessvollmoen, Ullensaker)
      
   • The Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy (RNoAFA) (Kuhaugen, Trondheim)
      
   • The Royal Norwegian Naval Academy (RNoNA) (Laksevåg, Bergen)
      
   • The Norwegian Military Academy (Linderud, Oslo)
      
   • The Norwegian Defence Cyber Academy (Jørstadmoen, Lillehammer)
      
   • The Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (Akershus Fortress, Oslo)
      
   • The Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College (Akershus Fortress, Oslo)
      
   • The Norwegian Defence Intelligence School (Trosterud, Oslo)
2. Exchange student

   If you are looking for an opportunity to come to NDUC as an exchange student, please check with your home institution if we have a signed exchange agreement. All exchange students must apply through their home university. Your home institution international coordinator will nominate the candidates. After your nomination, you will receive more detailed application procedures from the NDUC admission team.  

3. Application portal and deadlines

   The NDUC will announce available seats for our master programme through our regular point of contacts and partner institutions. Prospective students may then apply by using our electronic application portal. Please contact your home institution for further information.

   Application deadlines to attend master:

   • Military personnel (Norwegian citizens) - end of June for start-up in August
   • Civilians (Norwegian citizens) - mid-October for start-up in August
   • Foreign students - 31 December for start-up in August

   Application deadlines other studies:

   • May 15 for start-up in August
   • October 15 for start-up in January

   Please go to soknadsweb.no to register your application.

4. Important documents

   Together with your application, you need to upload a copy of your passport, an academic transcript of records in English or Scandinavian language, a letter of personal motivation and a letter of recommendation from your superior. 

   Please note that NDUC does not accept free movers. (Exchange students from a university without an institutional agreement with NDUC).

5. Accomodation

   International exchange students are offered housing and meal plans on campus together with the domestic student community. NDUC housing may vary between the different campuses; some have single rooms, some double rooms. Please contact your adviser for detailed information. 

6. Integration with domestic students

   NDUC seeks to integrate the international students with offering housing and meal plans together with the domestic student community. 

   NDUC provides a variety of student clubs, work out facilities and social arrangements throughout the year. All of the courses offered in English are part of our regular study programmes. 

7. Academic information

   All Norwegian higher education institutions use a system of credits (studiepoeng) for measuring study activities considered equivalent to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

   • 60 ECTS credits are allocated to the workload of a full year of academic study.
   • 30 ECTS credits are normally allocated to one semester’s full-time study.
   • Courses are normally 5-15 ECTS credits per course.

   Please look at the course catalogue for more detailed information about the courses offered at NDUC.

8. Academic year

   • Autumn semester: runs from early August to the end of December
   • Spring semester: runs from beginning of January to mid-June
   
   There are several national holidays in Norway on which the universities are closed.    

9. Exam period

   The form and period of the examination may vary between study programmes and courses offered due to the course structure. Please read the course catalogue for detailed information on each course description.

Visa regulations

1. Nordic countries

   If you come from one of the Nordic countries you will not have to apply for a residence permit, but you should report your move to the National Population Register. 

2. EU / EEA / EFTA

   If you come from an EU / EEA / EFTA area you have to register with the local police within three months.
   
   Please bring these documents:

   • a valid national identity card or passport.
   • confirmation of admission to an approved educational institution or an upper secondary school.
   • private health insurance or European health insurance card.
   • a personal declaration stating that you have enough money to support yourself.

3. Non-EU / EEA / EFTA

   If you come from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA-area you have to apply for a student residence permit. 

   There is a processing fee for each application, and the prize may vary depending on where you hand in your application. 

   Please have a look at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration for updated information regarding your country of residence.

   Your international coordinator at your home institution will be able to advise you in this matter.