University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) was founded in 1829 and is the oldest university in South Africa. Its main campus is located at the foot of Devil’s Peak in Cape Town, west of Table Mountain. This is a relatively compact university area, encompassing several faculties and student housing.
Cape Town, with its population of 3 million, is the second highest populated city in South Africa. The city is the seat of the National Assembly of South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape province. Cape Town is known for its 1000-metre high flat-topped mountain, Table Mountain. It is also known for the Robbin Island prison, where several members of the liberation movement, ANC, were imprisoned under the apartheid regime. Due to its geography, many consider Cape Town to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and it is the most popular tourist destination in South Africa. There are good opportunities for hiking trips both in and outside the city. The area also offers beautiful beaches, wine tasting trips, scuba diving, surfing, nightlife and shopping.
Practical preparations
If you are doing an exchange programme in South Africa, you must apply for a visa at the South African Embassy in Oslo. This is a time-consuming process, and it is recommended that you begin as soon as you have received a letter of admission.
South Africa has 11 official languages that represent different groups of people. There are significant social differences both within and between these groups. The country is also characterised by significant differences between the rich and the poor, where the wealthiest people are often white.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences wants our students to be good and socially conscious representatives, who are aware of the differences that exist, and who interact with people from all social classes.
Languages
Classes will be held in English. Check with the partner institution to find out what documentation is required.
If you must prove your language skills upon admission, you may take a language test, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS. You should sign up for these tests as soon as possible in the application process, as these spots are quickly filled.
If your mark in English from upper secondary school is 4 or higher, you can use your transcript of records as a confirmation of language skills. The transcript can be in Norwegian.
Fee
You will receive the same financial support from the State Educational Loan Fund, Norway as for studies in Norway, in addition to a travel grant. You must pay a semester fee to HVL in order to receive a loan and grant from the State Educational Loan Fund, Norway during the exchange period.
Course approval
In order to apply for a student exchange programme, your application must first be approved by the study programme of your faculty. An approved application means that you have been given an academic pre-approval for the course or traineeship you will be doing abroad. The academic pre-approval specifies what you will be doing while you are on an exchange programme and confirms these activities will be fully approved as part of your education plan at HVL.