Regulations concerning admission to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Regulations concerning admission to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Date Ministry FOR-2016-12-21-1875 Ministry of Education and Research Published Entry into force 01.01.2017 Last amended Amends Applies to Statutory basis FOR-2016-03-10-290 Norway Promulgated 02.01.2017 15.15 hours Abbreviated title LOV-2005-04-01-15- 3-6, LOV-2005-04-01-15- 3-7, FOR-2005-12-01-1392- 2, FOR-2007-01-31-173- 1-1 Regulations concerning admission to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Chapter overview: Chapter 1. Scope and definitions (Sections 1-1 - 1-2) Chapter 2. Minimum requirements for admission (Sections 2-1 - 2-9) Chapter 3. Prior learning and work experience (Section 3-1) Chapter 4. Quotas and admission capacities (Section 4-1) Chapter 5. Ranking (Sections 5-1 - 5-5) Chapter 6. Special assessment (Section 6-1) Chapter 7. Admission and offer on certain conditions (Conditional admission) (Sections 7-1 - 7-3) Chapter 8. Joint provisions on administrative matters (Sections 8-1 - 8-6) Chapter 9. Supplementary rules (Sections 9-1 - 9-2) Legal basis: Adopted by the Board of Western Norway University of Applied Sciences on 21 December 2016 in accordance with Sections 3-6 and 3-7 of Act No. 15 of 1 April 2005 relating to Universities and University Colleges (Universities and University Colleges Act), Section 2 of Regulations No. 1392 of 1 December 2005 concerning Requirements for Master s Degrees, and Section 1-1, fourth paragraph of Regulations No. 173 of 31 January 2007 concerning Admission to Higher Education. Chapter 1. Scope and definitions Section 1-1. Scope (1) The regulations apply to all programmes at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences up to the master s degree level. Admission to the doctoral degree programme is governed by the regulations for the philosophiae doctor (Ph.D.) degree at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. (2) Special rules may apply to joint degrees offered in collaboration with one or more institutions of higher learning. 1

(3) Act No. 15 of 1 April 2005 relating to Universities and University Colleges (University and University Colleges Act), Regulations No. 173 of 31 January 2007 concerning Admission to Higher Education (Admission Regulations), Regulations No. 1392 of 1 December 2005 concerning Requirements for Master s Degrees (Master s Degree Regulations), Act of 10 February 1967 relating to Procedure in Cases Concerning the Public Administration (Public Administration Act), and National Curriculum Regulations and other national decisions have priority and take precedence over these regulations in the event of conflict. Section 1-2. Definitions (1) Admission means that a person has applied, had their qualifications assessed and been granted admission to a programme of study, course of study or course offered at one of the campuses of Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. (2) Local admission refers to admissions that do not fall under the national centralised application process through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service. (3) Admission requirements are the requirements made of an applicant in order to be considered qualified for admission. Admission requirements must be laid out in programme descriptions or course descriptions for all courses of study and courses with separate admission procedures. (4) Undergraduate programme and integrated master s degree programme refer to a programme of study where admission is normally not contingent on a basis other than a completed upper secondary school education, or approved prior learning and work experience. (5) Master's degree programme refers to a programme of study based on a bachelor's degree level education and leads to a master's degree. (6) Further education refers to credit-yielding new formal qualifications at university or university college level and which ordinarily are based on a completed undergraduate degree. (7) The one-year programme in educational theory and practice refers to educational qualifications in addition to higher education or vocational education. (8) Singular course refers to a course open to applicants who have not been admitted to the programme of study to which the course belongs, or course offered as a freestanding course of study. (9) Transfer and recognition refers to direct admission to the second year or later in a course of study, where applicants are given recognition for subjects they have already successfully completed ( passed ) in the degree programme to which they are admitted. (10) In these regulations, assignment-financed study refers to a course of study carried out in exchange for compensation paid by one or more principals, and where the programme of study is not aimed at individual students but toward the principal s target group. (11) Tuition-based programme refers to a course and programme of study where Western Norway University of Applied Sciences requires tuition fees from students, cf. Section 3-2 of Regulations No. 1506 of 15 December 2005 relating to Tuition Fees at Universities and University Colleges. Chapter 2. Minimum requirements for admission Section 2-1. General provisions (1) The minimum requirement for admission to programmes that provide credits at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification or equivalent prior learning and work experience, as stipulated in the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. (2) Applicants with a foreign education from countries outside the Nordic area must document that they meet requirements for proficiency in Norwegian and English as stipulated in the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education to qualify for admission to courses of study that provide credits. 2

(3) Requirements for Norwegian proficiency do not apply if both compulsory parts of the programme and the relevant specialisation are taught in English. (4) Applicants to English-language further education or master's degree programmes must document English proficiency at a higher level by one of the following options: a) Vg1 English in Norwegian upper secondary school (140 annual hours) with a grade of 4 or higher. b) International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with at least 6.0 points. c) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 550 points for Paper-based test (PBT), at least 213 points for Computer-based test (CBT), or at least 80 points for Internet-based test (IBT). d) Other documentation may be approved by individual assessment. e) Exception from the requirement for singular courses of study can be stipulated by the Board in the relevant programme description. (5) The Board may stipulate special admission requirements for courses of study not governed by the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education in the programme description, cf. Section 3-6, paragraph 7 and Section 3-7 of the University and University Colleges Act. Section 2-2. Admission criteria for undergraduate programmes The admission requirement for one-year programmes, bachelor s and integrated master s degree programmes is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification or prior learning and work experience, in combination, if applicable, with specific subject or grade requirements, as stipulated in the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. Section 2-3. Admission criteria for master s degree programmes Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for Masters Degrees and any national curricula apply to admission to master s degree programmes. Further requirements for the academic basis and academic minimum requirements for the individual programme are stipulated by the Board in the programme description, cf. Section 2 of the Master's Degree Regulations. Section 2-4. Admission criteria for further education The admission requirements stipulated in the programme description apply to admission to further education programmes without a national curriculum. The admission requirements stipulated in the national curriculum and any additional requirements stipulated by the Board in the programme description apply to admission to further education programmes with a national curriculum. Section 2-5. Admission criteria for 1-year programme in educational theory and practice Minimum requirements as stipulated in the national curriculum and admission requirements as set out in the programme description apply to admission to the 1-year programme in educational theory and practice. Section 2-6. Admission criteria for singular course For admission to a singular course the applicant must meet the admission requirements for the programme that includes the applied for course. Any requirements for academic prerequisite knowledge for the course must also be met, cf. Section 4-5 of the Regulations relating to Courses of Study and Examinations at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Section 2-7. Admission criteria for transfer admission The minimum requirement in order to qualify for direct admission to the 2nd year or later in a course of study is that the admission requirement for the programme is met and that applicant has academic progression on a par with the year group to which admission has been applied. 3

Section 2-8. Admission criteria for tuition-based programme/assignment-based programme All assignment-based and tuition-based programmes that provide credits fall under one of the categories in Sections 2-2 to Section 2-8 in these regulations and have corresponding admission requirements and ranking rules. Section 2-9. Admission criteria for other courses of study (1) The national plan for the one-year preliminary course for the 3-year engineering programme and integrated master's degree programme in technological subjects and associated one-semester course in mathematics and physics, as laid down by the Norwegian Association of Higher Education in the National Guidelines for Engineering Education, applies to admission to preliminary courses and courses in mathematics and physics. (2) For courses of study that do not have national curricula or guidelines, admission requirements and academic basis shall apply as set out in the programme description and in guidelines for admission and ranking stipulated by the Board of Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Chapter 3. Prior learning and work experience Section 3-1. Prior learning and work experience (1) Western Norway University of Applied Sciences may give applicants who are 25 years of age or older during the year of admission, and who lack the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, admission on the basis of prior learning and work experience, cf. Section 3-6 (2) of the University and University Colleges Act and Section 3-1 of the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. (2) In order to be offered admission to a programme of study, the applicant must document equivalent skills and knowledge on a par with applicants offered admission on the basis of ordinary ranking rules, cf. Chapter 5 of these regulations. (3) Further rules on admission based on prior learning and work experience are laid down in the guidelines for admission and ranking. Chapter 4. Quotas and admission capacities Section 4-1. Quotas and admission capacities (1) The Board itself sets the annual number of places for the individual programmes of study, cf. Section 3-7, fifth paragraph of the Universities and University Colleges Act. (2) The Board, or the body appointed by the Board, carries out the admission of students. (3) Admission to programmes take place on the basis of ranking within quotas. A quota is a specific number or a specific share of the places that is allocated among applicants who meet further specified requirements. (4) The Board may set quotas for applicants with different backgrounds in the programme description. Chapter 5. Ranking Section 5-1. Calculation of points and ranking of applicants for undergraduate programmes (1) For admission to undergraduate programmes, applicants are scored and ranked according to provisions laid down in Chapter 7 of the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. (2) Prior learning and work experience applicants are ranked in relation to other applicants based on an overall discretionary assessment. The scope and relevance of work experience, education and motivation are emphasised. Section 5-2. General provisions on ranking applicants for courses of study in local admissions 4

(1) The Board establishes the ranking rules for the individual programme of study within the framework of valid points bases in separate admission and ranking guidelines. (2) The basis for the ranking is the documentation that qualifies the applicant for a course of study, cf. Chapter 2 of these regulations. Applicants are mutually ranked in quotas on the basis of competitive points. (3) In the event of an equal number of points the following applies: a) In the event of an otherwise equal number of points in a quota, older applicants shall be ranked ahead of younger ones. b) The Board may stipulate in the programme description that the gender that is underrepresented in a quota must be given first priority. (4) If an applicant meets several admissions criteria, the criteria that provide the most favourable results for the applicant are chosen. (5) If it has proven impossible to fill the places in a course of study, vacant places may be offered to qualified applicants without regard to the ranking as such. Applications received after the deadline shall be ranked by application date. Section 5-3. Calculation of points and ranking of applicants for master s degree and further education programmes at a higher degree level (1) Applicants for higher degree courses of study are mutually ranked on the basis of competitive points. The total of the following points can be included in the competitive points: a) Grade points: i. A weighted grade average of the admission criteria is calculated. ii. The Board can stipulate in the programme description that only parts of the admission criteria shall be included in the grade point total. b) Education points: Education points may be awarded for completed higher education beyond the minimum requirement for admission. c) Work experience points: i. Points may be given for relevant work experience. ii. Practical training that the applicant has acquired before a qualifying education is completed, and practical training that is included in the qualification basis is not included in the basis for work experience points. d) Other additional points: Based on special considerations associated with individual courses of study, the Board may stipulate other types of points in the programme description (2) For applicants with letter grades the following calculation scale is used as a basis for calculating average grade: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. More detailed provisions about the conversion of grades from other grade scales are given in the guidelines for admission and ranking. (3) In exceptional circumstances, education other than that included in the formal admission criteria may be included in the ranking. The application is then ranked according to Section 5-5 of these regulations. Section 5-4. Ranking of applicants for other courses of study (1) For admission to courses of study that require the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants are ranked according to the provisions laid down in the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. Supplementary provisions will be stipulated by the Board in guidelines for admission and ranking. (2) Rules for ranking applicants to programmes via the vocational qualification Y-pathway, transfer admission, singular course admission, preliminary courses and diver education will be laid down by the Board in guidelines for admission and ranking. (3) Sections 5-1 to 5-3 of these regulations do not apply to assignment-based programmes. The principals themselves rank their applicants after Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has approved their admission criteria. (4) For admission to courses of study defined in Section 1-2, paragraph 11 that require the Higher Education 5

Entrance Qualification as the sole admission requirement, applicants are ranked by date of application, unless otherwise stipulated in the course plan/programme description. Section 5-5. Ranking of applicants who cannot have their points calculated (1) Qualified applicants who cannot have their points calculated pursuant to Sections 5-1 to 5-4 of these regulations shall be ranked according to a comprehensive and discretionary assessment of the applicant s admission criteria. (2) An offer of admission requires equivalent skills and knowledge on a par with applicants offered admission after ranking on the basis of calculated points. Chapter 6. Special assessment Section 6-1. Special assessment (1) Exemptions may be made from parts of the ranking provisions in Chapter 5 if there are grounds for special assessment. The background for admission on the basis of special assessment may be that another mother tongue than Norwegian, sickness, disability or other special circumstances give reason to believe that the applicant s grade point total does not give a correct picture of the applicant s qualifications. (2) Applicants who wish to be assessed in accordance with this provision must request this in their application, attaching a separate explanation and documentation of the circumstances that are to serve as the basis for special assessment. (3) Circumstances such as those mentioned above do not in themselves give a right to admission. An offer of admission requires equivalent skills and knowledge on a par with applicants offered admission in accordance with Chapter 5. (4) Applicants who are not offered admission in accordance with these rules shall be ranked in accordance with the provisions in Section 5. Chapter 7. Admission and offer on certain conditions (Conditional admission) Section 7-1. Admission on certain conditions (conditional admission) (1) Admission on certain conditions (conditional admission) refers to admission of applicants who, due to special circumstances, do not satisfy all the admission criteria for a course of study, but will meet the admission criteria after the start of the studies, normally during the first semester of the course of study. (2) Conditional admission can only be granted if, at the start of the studies, the applicant does not lack more than 15 credits to meet the admission criteria, cf. Chapter 2. Any concentration requirements must be met. Furthermore, any required prerequisite knowledge for a course must be met before applicants with conditional admission can be admitted to the course. (3) Special circumstances in this context mean an illness, accident or death in the applicant's immediate family. If other special circumstances exist, admission can be granted on certain conditions. Special circumstances must be documented by a certificate from a doctor, other health personnel, the police or similar. Section 7-2. Admission on certain conditions (conditional admission) Western Norway University of Applied Sciences may, in special cases, conditionally offer a place to applicants who do not meet the entire admission requirement at the time they receive an offer of admission to a 6

programme of study, but have documented that they will meet the requirement before the start of studies. Section 7-3. General provisions concerning offers and admission on certain conditions (1) Applicants who have been granted admission or offers pursuant to the provisions laid down in Section 7-1 or Section 7-2 and do not meet the conditions for admission within the specified deadline lose their offer of admission to a programme of study. (2) Conditional admission may not be granted or offered to applicants who cannot document sufficient proficiency in Norwegian and English, cf. Section 2-1. Chapter 8. Joint provisions on administrative matters Section 8-1. Reserved place An allocated place may be reserved until the next time admissions are made to the programme of study if there are documented and compelling reasons. It is usually not possible to grant a reserved place for more than one year. An application for reservation of a place must be submitted within three weeks after receiving an offer of admission to a programme of study. Section 8-2. Preliminary promise A preliminary promise may be given to qualified applicants who would have been admitted by a good margin during the most recent admission. Section 8-3. Deadlines (1) Application deadlines for admission to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences courses of study are announced simultaneously with the announcement of the programme of study. (2) All documentation to be taken into account for admission must be included with the application. Certificates/grade transcripts for education and practical training that will be completed during the semester the admission takes place must be submitted by the deadline specified by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Section 8-4. Verification of documentation Western Norway University of Applied Sciences may require applicants to submit originals of documents to be used for admission to assess their authenticity, cf. Section 3-7, paragraph six of the University and University Colleges Act. Section 8-5. Withdrawal of course of study The Board may decide to cancel admission to a programme if there are not enough qualified applicants. Section 8-6. Appeal (1) Individual decisions made pursuant to these regulations may be appealed, cf. Sections 28 to 32 of the Public Administration Act. The deadline for appeal is 3 weeks from the date on which the result of the admission is published, or 3 weeks from receipt of the justification if applicable. (2) Appeals against individual decisions in connection with admissions organised through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service will be handled by the National Appeals Committee, cf. Section 5-1, seventh paragraph of the University and University Colleges Act and Section 8-1 of the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. (3) Appeals that concern admission pursuant to Section 3-6, second and third paragraphs of the University and University Colleges Act will be handled by the Appeals Committee at Western Norway University of 7

Applied Sciences, cf. Section 8-1, second paragraph of the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education. (4) Appeals against individual decisions in connection with admission to a course of study not included in the centralised application process organised by the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service will be handled by the Appeals Committee at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, cf. Section 5-1 of the Universities and Colleges Act. Chapter 9. Supplementary rules Section 9-1. Supplementary rules The Board, or the body appointed by the Board, may issue supplementary rules and guidelines within the framework of these regulations. Section 9-2. Entry into force The regulations will enter into force on 1 January 2017. Regulations No. 290 of 10 March 2016 concerning admission and rankings for master s degree and further education programmes at Bergen University College will be repealed from the same date. 8