Applications are open for the 2027 international master's intake at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) in Norway.
The university offers several English-taught master's programmes in fields including climate change, maritime operations, healthy ageing and rehabilitation, and theatre in social and educational contexts.
International students can submit applications through Søknadsweb, the university's official online admissions platform.
For applicants from countries outside the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), the main deadline for the 2027 intake is 1 December 2026.
Although HVL does not provide institutional scholarships for its regular master's programmes, certain joint-degree courses are exempt from tuition fees. Its Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Theatre SPACEs also offers competitive scholarships to selected students.
This guide explains:
Available English-taught master's programmes.
Eligibility requirements for international students.
Tuition fees and possible exemptions.
Erasmus Mundus scholarship opportunities.
Required application documents.
English-language requirements.
How to apply through Søknadsweb.
Application deadlines and official links.
Advertisement Space
SCHOLARSHIP LIST INLINE
About this opportunity
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a Norwegian higher education institution offering academic and professionally oriented study programmes.
The university has five campuses along Norway's western coast and provides opportunities to study in an environment known for its natural landscapes, research activity and international academic connections.
HVL offers a selection of master's programmes taught in English.
Applicants should review the official HVL admissions page before submitting an application.
Financial Benefits
Selected scholarship holders receive:
€1,400 per month.
Funding for 24 months.
A total scheduled scholarship allowance of €33,600 over two years.
Tuition-fee exemption under the joint-degree arrangements.
International academic mobility.
Opportunities to study and collaborate across partner institutions.
The monthly scholarship is intended to help cover travel, visa and living expenses.
It should not be interpreted as a promise that accommodation and flights will be booked or paid separately by the university.
What's covered
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Flight/travel costs
Documents Required
Applicants must upload the required documents before the relevant application deadline.
HVL states that applications without supporting documents will be rejected after the deadline.
Academic Documents
Applicants should prepare:
Final bachelor's degree certificate or diploma.
Complete university academic transcripts.
Grading-scale information.
Additional transcripts for transferred credits, where relevant.
Secondary school documents where required.
The university does not accept provisional degree certificates as substitutes for final diplomas under its general international admission documentation rules.
Identity Documents
Applicants must provide an accepted identity document.
This normally includes:
Passport identification page or accepted national ID.
Personal information matching the application.
Supporting name-change documentation where relevant.
Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must submit a CV outlining their educational background.
The CV should clearly present qualifications and any experience relevant to the selected programme.
English-Language Evidence
Applicants who are not exempt must upload accepted proof of English proficiency.
This should be completed before the application deadline.
Proof of Financing
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland may need to document sufficient financial resources.
Depending on the programme, acceptable evidence can include:
A recent official bank statement.
Confirmation of an eligible external scholarship or student loan.
A sponsor guarantee letter accompanied by the sponsor's bank documentation.
HVL requires financing documents to meet its validity and language requirements.
Programme-Specific Documents
Some programmes require additional materials.
For example:
Maritime Operations requires a motivation letter.
Theatre SPACEs requires a motivation statement and specified acknowledgement documentation.
Certain applicants may need additional verification certificates.
Applicants should use the official HVL documentation checklist and their programme page.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility depends on the selected programme.
HVL generally requires applicants to hold a relevant bachelor's degree.
Some courses also impose requirements related to subject specialisation, academic grades or professional qualifications.
General considerations include:
A recognised bachelor's degree.
A relevant academic background.
Satisfaction of programme-specific admission requirements.
Accepted proof of English proficiency.
Submission of all mandatory documents.
Meeting the correct citizenship-based deadline.
Documentation of financing where required.
Applicants should not assume that admission requirements are identical across all programmes.
Can African Students Apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants from African countries can apply to HVL's international master's programmes that accept non-EU/EEA candidates.
However, most such applicants must pay tuition fees unless they qualify for an exemption or enter a tuition-exempt joint-degree programme.
Important considerations include:
Academic qualification recognition.
English-language requirements.
Programme availability to non-EU/EEA applicants.
Tuition costs.
Living-expense funding.
Norwegian immigration requirements.
Application deadlines.
Theatre SPACEs may be especially relevant to applicants seeking Erasmus Mundus scholarship funding, provided they meet its subject requirements.
English-Language Requirements
HVL requires most applicants from outside the Nordic countries to provide accepted evidence of English proficiency.
According to the official English requirements page, accepted qualifications include several internationally recognised tests.
Examples include:
IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.0.
TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 80 under the older scoring system, or at least 4 on the newer 1–6 scale.
Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum overall score of 59.
Cambridge English: Accepted qualifications at the specified grades.
The university also recognises certain exemptions.
However, a general letter from a university stating that a previous degree was taught in English is not automatically accepted as proof.
Applicants should review the full official rules because test formats, validity periods and exemptions matter.
How to Apply
Applications for international master's programmes are submitted through the university's online application system.
Step 1: Visit the Official HVL Admissions Page
Open the HVL admissions website.
Review the university's general admission rules and deadlines.
Step 2: Choose an Eligible Master's Programme
Visit the master's programme directory.
Confirm that your chosen programme accepts applicants from your citizenship group.
Step 3: Check the Academic Requirements
Read the selected programme's admission criteria.
Verify your degree, grades, subject background and English proficiency.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents
Collect the required documents and official translations where necessary.
HVL recommends PDF files.
Step 5: Open Søknadsweb
Visit the official application portal:
https://fsweb.no/soknadsweb/login.jsf?inst=hvl
Step 6: Choose the International Applicant Login
Applicants without a Norwegian national identification number should select:
Login International Applicant
Follow the system's instructions for account access.
Step 7: Complete Your Application
Select the appropriate admissions category and programme.
For Theatre SPACEs, the university instructs applicants to select the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master admission category.
Step 8: Submit the Application and Upload Documents
Complete the required registration steps.
Upload all mandatory documents through the portal, including the My documents section where applicable.
Step 9: Review Your Submission
Check that:
You selected the correct programme.
Your citizenship category is correct.
Your academic information is accurate.
Your English-language evidence is accepted.
All required documents are uploaded.
Your financing evidence is included where required.
You are applying before the correct deadline.
Step 10: Monitor Your Application
Check your Søknadsweb account and email for updates from the admissions office.
Respond promptly if the university requests clarification or additional information.