Learning Abroad Center
houses on cliffs in Norway

Exchange in Norway: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås

Europe

Study at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and integrate into Norwegian life on this affordable program.

Program Details

Location
Location
Ås, Norway
Term
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Housing
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
GPA
2.75

About

The mission of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is “to contribute to the well-being of the planet.” NMBU offers a unique interdisciplinary study opportunity for students interested in tackling big, global challenges regarding the environment, sustainable development, how to improve human and animal health, renewable energy sources, food production, and land and resource management. NMBU is located in the small city of Ås, about 30 minutes outside of Oslo.

Read more about being an exchange student at NMBU.

Program Model

Exchange
University Study

Housing & Meals

Students live in dormitories located within walking distance of campus.

Excursions

The International Education Office organizes various social acitivies throughout the semester.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program
  • Learn to appreciate diverse world views, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity
  • Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
  • Develop awareness of and challenge assumptions about Norwegian culture, their own culture, and how their culture is viewed by others
  • Learn to function as an effective team member by appreciating and interacting with individuals different from yourself

Faculty & Staff

The International Education Office will provide your onsite support during the time you are in Norway. There are also advisers within each department who can offer advice on course selection.

Program Structure

Program Level
Various levels
Courseload

15 credits per term (30 ECTS credits), 30 credits for the academic year (60 ECTS credits)

Coursework

Grade & Credit Conversion Scale

You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.

About 40% of the courses at NMBU are in English. Course levels are defined differently; students should look at 100- and 200-level courses, and some 300-level if students have a significant background in the area of study. Descriptions of all courses can be found in the Course Catalog. NMBU has also put together several “Course Packages” which are theme-based.

Arctic research

NMBU belongs to a consortium of Norwegian universities that operate an Arctic research station, UNIS, on the Svalbard Islands. UNIS is located in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost settlement of any kind, and offers research-based education in arctic biology, arctic geology, arctic geophysics and arctic technology. Placements are limited and competitive. Applicants must have at least 30 credits completed in the natural sciences at the time of application, 15 credits of which must be in biology. Contact our office for details on eligibility and how to apply.

Global Identity

Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.

To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.

Program Dates

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Orientation Dates & Locations

Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.

See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. Participants will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.

Term AbroadDate/TimeLocation
Spring 2025TBDTBD
Academic Year 2024–25TBDTBD
Fall 2024TBDTBD

Spring 2025

Application Open Date: March 1, 2024
Application Deadline: September 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartMid January
Program EndMid May

Academic Year 2024–25

Application Open Date: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartMid August
Program EndMid May

Fall 2024

Application Open Date: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartMid August
Program EndMid December

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Bridging Loan

Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Academic Year 2024–25

Exchange in Norway: Norwegian U of Life Sciences, Ås

Academic Yr Fall 2024/Spring 2025

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $13,265
International health insurance $615
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $14,280
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $14,280

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $2,200
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsResidence Permit (670), plus costs to travel to Norwegian Embassy/Consulate $670
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,520
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $400
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (7000), Meals (5600) $12,600
Essential daily living expenses $4,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $17,000

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $34,800
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $4,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Fall 2024

Exchange in Norway: Norwegian U of Life Sciences, Ås

Fall Semester 2024

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $7,117
International health insurance $308
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $7,825
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $7,825

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $2,200
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsResidence Permit (670), plus costs to travel to Norwegian Embassy/Consulate $670
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,520
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $200
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (3500), Meals (2800) $6,300
Essential daily living expenses $2,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $8,500

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $19,845
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $2,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Spring 2024

Exchange in Norway: Norwegian U of Life Sciences, Ås

Spring Semester 2024

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $7,125
International health insurance $300
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $7,825
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $7,825

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $2,000
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsResidence Permit (670), plus costs to travel to Norwegian Embassy/Consulate $670
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,320
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $200
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (3200), Meals (2800) $6,000
Essential daily living expenses $2,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $8,200

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $19,345
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $2,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

Submit to the Learning Abroad Center:

  • Exchange in Norway personal essay
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting

Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Students selected for nomination will then have to apply to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences directly, through their online system (instructions will be provided). The Norwegian University of Life Sciences will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.

Next Steps

  1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
  2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
  3. You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
  4. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Christina Dunbar or call at 612.624.3949