Quota Scheme

The programme also contributes to strengthen Norwegian institutions of higher education’s participation in global knowledge cooperation.

The Norwegian government provides scholarships for students from developing countries in the South and countries of Central- and East-Europe and Central-Asia under the Quota Scheme. The overall objective of the Quota Scheme is to promote the internationalisation of higher education.

Today, the scheme provides funding for a total of 1100 students, 800 of them from developing countries in the South and 300 from Central- and East-Europe and Central-Asia.

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 the Master and Ph.D. level, in addition to certain professional degrees. In order to locate a programme eligible under the scheme, please contact the Norwegian institutions directly.

Scholarships
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 per cent of the amount is given as a grant and 70 per cent as a loan. However, the loan portion is waived when the student returns to his/her home country after completing the course of study. Normally, the financial support will not not exceed a time span of four years for one definite study plan, or a combination of two programmes.

Additional financing
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.

Admission requirements

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 the Master or Ph.D. level, but the Quota Scheme also offers certain professional studies.

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.

Basic general requirements
All candidates should typically have the following basic qualifications:

• Secondary school certificates
• Minimum two years of higher education from your home country

Some exceptions apply for certain professional educational courses.

A list has been compiled by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) with the general entrance requirements for applicants with higher education qualifications from abroad. NOKUT is the Norwegian governmental organisation for recognition of foreign higher education. If you cannot find your academic papers on the list you may contact NOKUT to get an evaluation of your certificates.

Basic English language requirements
English is the main teaching language of instruction in most of the educational programmes and degrees in the Quota Scheme. Applicants who are not native English speakers therefore must document their proficiency in English by passing one of the following tests:

• TOEFL ( Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 500/ 550 (170 if computer-based)
• IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 5.0 (6.0 if computer-based)

Please note that the requirements may differ, and in some cases be higher than described above.

Basic Norwegian language requirements
A few courses in the Quota Scheme are offered in Norwegian and require good Norwegian language skills. Applicants who are not native Norwegian speakers therefore must document their proficiency in Norwegian by passing one of the following tests:

• Bergenstest (Norwegian language test) with a minimum score of 450
• Norwegian language course Level 3 with E as a minimum
• Norwegian in the secondary school (The Teaching Plan for Norwegian as a second Language) written and oral, with a minimum score of 2

Admission to the Quota Scheme is highly competitive and meeting the minimum requirements is no guarantee for enrolment. Please refer to the International Office at each university/university college for more detailed information about admission requirements.

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