Western University of Applied Sciences

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is one of the largest educational institutions in the country, with about 16,500 students. Every year, around 3000 candidates graduate from HVL and contribute to important societal missions in companies, organizations, and other parts of working life. HVL stretches over 5 campuses and 400 kilometers on the western coast of Norway.

The university offers a broad range of academic programmes at Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels. We have strong and innovative professional environments within health and social sciences, engineering, teacher education, maritime sciences, nature sciences, culture and sports, social sciences, economics, and management. HVL has a clear, professional-oriented profile. Through education, research, and development, we create new knowledge and expertise, anchored internationally and with solutions that work locally.

Five campuses on the west coast of Norway - close to nature and experiences. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is perfect when you're looking to combine education with a vibrant student life.

Close to mountains and fjords

Norway is known for its beautiful nature, and Norwegians hold nature in high esteem. Norwegians love their nature and are proud of it. Outdoor life is a fundamental part of Norwegian culture, and we spend time in the mountains all year round.

The west coast of Norway, where HVL is located, is known for its spectacular nature. With mountains and fjords close to all five campuses, you will be able to combine outdoor life with studies and city life.

Norwegian nature can be just as wild as it is beautiful. The weather can change quickly from bright sunshine to rain to fog and wind. It's therefore important to respect nature and be careful.

Vibrant student life

HVL has students from all around the world. We offer both exchange studies for a semester and full-time master's degree studies for international students. HVL has vibrant campuses with many meeting points and activities.

All five campuses have a Global Lounge, an activity space at each HVL campus where you can meet other international and Norwegian students and enjoy fun activities together.

Throughout the year, we will arrange language café, quiz, and movie nights; student presentations, workshops, and much more.

Sogndal is a compact community where everything is reachable within a 10-minute walk. Short distances between dorms, campus, activities, and nature are the ideal recipe for utilizing your day as a student at Campus Sogndal.

Close and inclusive

Our students appreciate the informal relationship between teachers and students. The teachers know you by name, and their doors are usually open for pop-ins if you have a question. This is one of the many advantages of being a student at a smaller Campus.

Sogndal is famous for its good student life. An appropriate student quantity (around 2500) makes socializing and participation easy.

Experience nature

Sogndal and its surrounding region are known for their wild, beautiful, and untouched nature. Fjords, mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, snow, green grasslands, fish, fruit and berries, fresh air, and clean flowing water call for people searching for adventure, adrenaline rush, speed, and excitement as well as serenity and silence. As a student here, you have endless possibilities of experiencing nature!

Urban vibe

Despite its outdoorsy reputation, Sogndal is also an urban town with shopping, cafés, and a cinema. In the student house Meieriet, you will find a café, a pub, a concert arena, and a club. The list of bands visiting Meieriet throughout a semester is impressive, with the student week being a natural highlight.

The student house also has many subgroups in which you may participate. From booking bands, singing in a choir, making the student newspaper, to tending the bar.

Stay in shape

Sogndal has a variety of options for indoor exercise. The fitness center Idrettssenteret has locations both on Campus and in the town centre. Idrettssenteret has an extensive variety of group lessons, as well as a 2000 sq. feet gym and a squash hall.

In the sports hall Sognahallen, you may climb "The Wall", one of Norway's best indoor climbing walls. If you like swimming, you can go for a swim in the public swimming pool.

Cultural and historical attractions

In Sogndal, there is only a 20-minute drive to several cultural and historical attractions in the region:

• The Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe Climate Centre - an interactive museum for the whole family, which gives you knowledge about glaciers and climate in new and innovative ways.
• Kaupanger stave church - the biggest Stave church in the Sognefjord region, built around 1190.
• The Heiberg Collections - Sogn Folk Museum - At this museum, you can experience how people from Sogn have lived and worked from the Middle Ages until the present time.
• The Norwegian Book Town, Fjærland - various second-hand bookshops, antique stores, and book cafes

As an international student moving to Norway, you may have to apply for a visa and/or a study permit.

Whether or not you need to apply for a visa and/or study permit depends on how long you are staying and which country you are from. Please remember to apply for a visa for the country of your citizenship, regardless of which country you are currently living in.

All international students staying for up to 90 days

If you are staying in Norway for up to 90 days, you do not need to register or apply for a study permit. However, you must make sure that you have a valid visa to visit Norway, if applicable. Most people from countries outside the EU/EEA must apply for a visitor’s visa.

Note that some countries demand an Airport Transit Visa if you transit there on your way to Norway.

Nationals from outside EU/EEA staying for more than 90 days

If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA and wish to study in Norway for more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit for studies/study permit.

As an incoming student from HVL’s partner institutions, you will receive a Letter of Admission shortly after you have received an answer to your application to HVL. You will need the Letter of Admission when you fill out the application for a study permit.

We advise you to start the study permit application process immediately after receiving the Letter of Admission, as it may take up to three months.

Please note that there is an application fee and that you will need a confirmation of accommodation when applying for your study permit. You will receive information about housing from your contact person at HVL.

When you have been granted a study permit from UDI, the embassy in the country you are applying from will issue an entry visa without extra costs.

EU/EEA nationals staying for more than 90 days

EU/EEA nationals are entitled to study and live in Norway. Therefore, if you have an EU/EEA citizenship and you plan to stay for more than three months, you do not need a visa or a study permit, but you have to register online.

Once you have the necessary documents, register online. As soon as possible after arrival, you are required to hand in the documentation to the local police office. You can move to Norway and start working/studying right away, but you must register no later than three months after your arrival in Norway.

Nordic nationals staying for more than 90 days

If you have Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, or Finnish citizenship, you do not need a visa or a study permit to study in Norway. All you need to do is report a move to the Norwegian National Registry if you will be living in Norway for more than six months.