Student exchange in 2021

As the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic develops, you will find updated information about student exchange for the spring semester of 2021 on this webpage. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) closely follows advice from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Folkehelseinstituttet – FHI) and the Norwegian government and will continually assess the situation.

Information updated on August 24. 2020

Information about student exchange in the spring semester of 2021

HVL hopes that it will be possible for students to go on exchange abroad in the spring semester of 2021 – and wishes to accommodate this. HVL has decided to make it possible to apply for student exchange to countries in Europe. Because of the uncertainty concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, HVL has decided that all exchange to countries outside of Europe unfortunately will be cancelled. Also, it will not be possible to apply for studies abroad to institutions that HVL does not have a formal exchange agreement with (as a so-called “Freemover”). This is because there is no established contact between HVL and the host institution.

HVL is monitoring the corona situation closely, and if the infection rates and the pandemic situation changes too much HVL reserves the right to re-assess the possibilities for student exchange.  If this happens, students that have applied for student exchange will be notified directly.

In addition to the general decision, outlined above, the following decisions have been made for the different faculties at HVL:

Faculty of Health and Social Science (FHS)

All practical placements abroad are cancelled for the entire world, including Europe. Students in study programmes that allow for academic exchanges / courses without practical placements may do so in Europe.

Faculty of Engineering and Science (FIN)

Student exchange may be carried out as normal within Europe.

Faculty of Teacher education, Arts and Sports (FLKI)

Student exchange within Teacher Education and Early Childhood Education may be carried out as normal within Europe. Practical placements in schools and kindergartens may be completed abroad if the host institution is able to offer it. Students that will not receive practical placements abroad will do their placements in Norway, either before or after the exchange period.

Student exchange in the Bachelor Programmes (Sports, Public Health etc.) may be carried out as normal within Europe. The Bachelor Programme in Public Health will not have mandatory exchange but will allow exchanges to European countries for interested students.

Faculty of Business Administration and Social Sciences (FØS)

Student exchange may be carried out as normal within Europe.

Contact information

If you have questions about student exchange and the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact international@hvl.no

For counselling on student exchange, please contact the student counselling service at your faculty: