Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) Summary
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a public university of applied sciences with campuses in western Norway. HVL was established in 2017 through the merger of regional university colleges and is today an important institution for professional education, applied research and regional development. The university has campuses in Bergen, Førde, Haugesund, Sogndal and Stord, and can thus reach students and communities in a large western coastal area.
The HVL is particularly known for its practical training related to working life. Academic strengths include engineering, maritime studies, climate change management, fire safety, health sciences, teacher education, social sciences, business, nursing, rehabilitation, technology, energy, public health and professional practice. The university’s applied sciences identity results in many programs being built with close links to employers, public services, industry, municipalities, schools, hospitals and regional organizations.
HVL offers several master’s programs in English for international students. The main international options are Climate Change Management, Fire Safety, Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation, Maritime Operations and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Theatre SPACEs. HVL also has several bachelor’s and professional programmes taught in Norwegian, but most of the routes at bachelor level require proficiency in Norwegian. Nevertheless, bachelor fee categories are important as non-EU/EEA/Swiss students may have to pay tuition fees if they are admitted to fee-liable programs.
HVL has a strong location advantage as western Norway is strongly connected to the maritime industries, energy, fjord-based tourism, coastal development, public health, education and environmental challenges. Bergen is one of Norway’s main student cities. Smaller camps like Sogndal, Førde, Stord and Haugesund offer a more regional and community-based study environment. This makes HVL well-suited for students wanting applied education in urban and regional Norwegian contexts.
The university's research is geared towards practical societal challenges. It works in areas such as climate adaptation, maritime operations, security, health and care, education, regional development, sustainable technology, welfare, innovation and professional development.
Tuition fees Students from Norway, EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are generally not required to pay tuition fees. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students normally pay tuition fees unless exempt. HVL charges specific fees for some international master’s programs, for instance Climate Change Management and Fire Safety are NOK 260,000 per year and Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation is NOK 180,000 per year. Some joint-degree programs have joint-degree structures that are exempt from HVL tuition fees. For example, Maritime Operations and Erasmus Mundus Theatre SPACEs. HVL also has annual fees by category, from NOK 130 000 to NOK 500 000 for other categories of programs.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a good choice for students who are looking for practical, professional and applied education in Norway, overall. This is especially good for students interested in climate change, fire safety, maritime operations, health, rehabilitation, engineering, teacher education and careers in public service.
The HVL is particularly known for its practical training related to working life. Academic strengths include engineering, maritime studies, climate change management, fire safety, health sciences, teacher education, social sciences, business, nursing, rehabilitation, technology, energy, public health and professional practice. The university’s applied sciences identity results in many programs being built with close links to employers, public services, industry, municipalities, schools, hospitals and regional organizations.
HVL offers several master’s programs in English for international students. The main international options are Climate Change Management, Fire Safety, Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation, Maritime Operations and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Theatre SPACEs. HVL also has several bachelor’s and professional programmes taught in Norwegian, but most of the routes at bachelor level require proficiency in Norwegian. Nevertheless, bachelor fee categories are important as non-EU/EEA/Swiss students may have to pay tuition fees if they are admitted to fee-liable programs.
HVL has a strong location advantage as western Norway is strongly connected to the maritime industries, energy, fjord-based tourism, coastal development, public health, education and environmental challenges. Bergen is one of Norway’s main student cities. Smaller camps like Sogndal, Førde, Stord and Haugesund offer a more regional and community-based study environment. This makes HVL well-suited for students wanting applied education in urban and regional Norwegian contexts.
The university's research is geared towards practical societal challenges. It works in areas such as climate adaptation, maritime operations, security, health and care, education, regional development, sustainable technology, welfare, innovation and professional development.
Tuition fees Students from Norway, EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are generally not required to pay tuition fees. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students normally pay tuition fees unless exempt. HVL charges specific fees for some international master’s programs, for instance Climate Change Management and Fire Safety are NOK 260,000 per year and Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation is NOK 180,000 per year. Some joint-degree programs have joint-degree structures that are exempt from HVL tuition fees. For example, Maritime Operations and Erasmus Mundus Theatre SPACEs. HVL also has annual fees by category, from NOK 130 000 to NOK 500 000 for other categories of programs.
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a good choice for students who are looking for practical, professional and applied education in Norway, overall. This is especially good for students interested in climate change, fire safety, maritime operations, health, rehabilitation, engineering, teacher education and careers in public service.
