Academic calendar

Autumn semester:	Beginning of August to the middle of December
Spring semester:	Beginning of January to the middle of June

Credits and grades
The credits for each course are according to the European Credit Transfer System, ECTS. The average workload for one semester of full-time study is 30 ECTS and one year 60 ECTS.

The grading system conforms to the ECTS standard. It uses a descending scale from
A (top mark) to E for passes and F for fail.

Registration and matriculation
Semester registration deadline is September 1 for the autumn semester and February 1 for the spring semester. Students who fail to submit the proper forms within the deadline will not be registered for the exams.

Information for Norwegian students
Students currently admitted to Norwegian universities, will remain registered at these universities. These students must pay their registration fee and register for the exam at their home university.

Information for international students
Students who have not been matriculated at a Norwegian university will be matriculated at the University of Tromsø (UiTø) if no other arrangements have been made. Students on exchange agreements will need to apply for admission at the receiving institution in Norway and also fill in the learning agreements. Contact the international office at the formally receiving Norwegian institution.

Academic Expenses
The registration process will take place after you have arrived at UNIS. There is no tuition fee at UNIS, but in order to do a course at UNIS all students need to pay a semester fee of 420 NOK (ca. 55 Euro). Students already immatriculated at a Norwegain institution will recieve the semester fee bill from their home institution, whereas new students need to contact the Study Administration at UNIS directly after their arrival to pick up a bill for the semester fee.

For students partaking in a scientific cruise or excursion which lasts overnight, there is a fee of NOK 200 per day for food.

Transcripts and certificates
For courses taken at UNIS, course transcripts/certificates have to be ordered from the Norwegian university where you are registered. UNIS does not issue official grade transcripts or course certificates.

Exam announcements and important messages
Announcements will be put on the notice boards next to the library on the ground floor or sent as e-mail. Messages to students on the notice board or e-mails will be regarded as personal messages to each student. Students are required to take note of these messages and are responsible for taking appropriate action.

UNIS courses as part of your university education
All courses at UNIS are approved by the Norwegian universities. Questions about incorporating UNIS courses into your degree should be directed to the faculty or the Student Affairs office at your home university. We recommend our foreign students to get the UNIS courses approved in advance by their home institution.

Scholarships and loans
UNIS gives no financial aid or scholarships to Norwegian or international students. UNIS does not have the capacity to help students with applying for financial assistance either within or outside of Norway. UNIS students are themselves responsible for financing their studies.

The cost of living on Svalbard is approximately the same as in the rest of Norway. The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Statens Lånekasse) stipulates the cost of living at about NOK 8,700 a month. Please see more information about expenses under the “Student life” section.