The Arctic University of Norway - UiT
University of Tromsø or UiT (The Arctic University of Norway) is the third largest in Norway and the northernmost university of the world. Tromsø is Northern Norway's largest city, but don't let that fool you. Sea and mountains are right outside your door!
UiT is the northernmost university of the world. UiT's location on the edge of the Arctic implies a mission. The Arctic is of increasing global importance - climate change, the exploitation of Arctic resources and environmental threats are topics of great public concern, and which UiT takes special interest in. The central location in the High North, the broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and the interdisciplinary qualities make UiT uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. As a student at UiT, you learn from teachers who are proud to make their mark on the subject they teach in a favourable teacher-student ratio of 1:8.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Check out this video about UiT!
"Why study at UiT?" An interview with international students
Program details
Master’s in Landscape Architecture at UiT: all courses are taught in English.
Program structure and list of all courses and course search by term.
Master's level courses: 3000-4000.
Workload per semester: 30 ECTS.
Number of ECTS allowed per semester for exchange students: you can select courses up to 50 – 60 ECTS per semester if you meet the admission requirements for each course.
6 ECTS = 3 UCalgary units (1 standard semester course). Please be mindful of the ECTS when creating the courselist for your exchange application; you will probably only need to take 2 courses per semester to be a full-time student, although you will still get credit for 5 courses at UCalgary.
UiT offers a variety of courses in Norwegian language and literature on basic, intermediate and advanced level. Norwegian language courses.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters. The Autumn (Fall) semester runs from mid-August to mid-December and the Spring (Winter) semester runs from early-January to mid-June.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
While Norway can be expensive, as a student it is a little more afjordable! Here is a rough cost estimate for a semester at Tromsø:
All figures are stated in Norwegian kroner (NOK).
Housing (incl. first semester deposit): ca. NOK 25,000 (5 months rent) deposit before moving into the unit.
Food: ca. NOK 18,000 (6 months)
Books/academic supplies: ca. NOK 4,000 (5 months)
Winter clothing and shoes: NOK 3000 per academic year (depending on lifestyle)
Transportation (under 30, above + approx. 40%)*: NOK 2,500 for one semester
Other expenses and costs of living depending on your lifestyle (gym subscription, Netflix, Spotify, medical expenses, alcohol, cigarettes, restaurants, recreations; trips, etc.): NOK 8,635
TOTAL (APPROXIMATIVELY): NOK 70,000It's recommended that students budget around NOK 11,500 (CAD 1,500) per month to pay for accommodation and living expenses. More financial information can be found here.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
After the submission of your application, you must apply for housing without delay to reserve a room. You can cancel your reservation later if you decide NOT to accept your offer of admission. You will receive your housing contract in July for the Fall semester and November for the Winter semester.
Deadline for applying for housing: 31 MAY (autumn semester) and 30 NOVEMBER (spring semester). Additional information can be found online.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in their M1 or M2 (after foundation) year of SAPL Master in Landscape Architecture, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
CV required. No reference required.
Do I have to speak Norwegian?
No prior knowledge of Norwegian is required for this exchange. This program is taught in English.
How can I learn or improve my Norwegian?
There is a variety of courses and programmes in Norwegian language and literature at UiT in Tromsø, to help you learn Norwegian in preparation for your stay, or if you would eventually like to marry a troll and want to be able to speak their language (we hear taking a breath in a tunnel may also help you find your one troll love!). The Norwegian language courses are offered on basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Norwegian can also be found on many other language platforms, such as Duolingo.
What's special about Tromsø?
Tromsø is Northern Norway's largest city, but don't let that fool you. Although the city has a rich and diverse cultural life, nightlife and varied shopping opportunities, Tromsø is also surrounded by magnificent nature. Sea and mountains are right outside your door! If it is not outdoor life that tempts you the most, there is no problem. Whether it's a trip to Studentsamfunnet Driv, Kulturhuset, Hålogaland Theatre, the TIFF film festival or the city's many restaurants and nightspots - there's always something to do here!
For more information on life in Norway, please visit the Study In Norway site.
What resources are available for new students?
Debut Week International is an orientation programme that facilitates the social and academic integration of international students into UiT's academic community and Norwegian society. The programme is a cooperation between the International cooperation section and the Student Welfare Organization (both the Housing Department and the Students Counselling Centre).
During the orientation programme, Debut WEEK International, students may be asked to make a cultural presentation of their country (or region of a country, if there is a large student group). Consider bringing something to display, show or use in a presentation to the other students.
What supports or services are available at Tromso?
Some of the support services offered at UiT are: free counselling, Buddy program, sports, student clubs.
For information on accessibility and support services at campuses across Europe, please check out Inclusive Mobility. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.