Checklist for new students

Follow the list below to get started at Nord University.

​1. Accept your offer

International full degree students must accept their offer of admission within 14 days of its receipt. You do this in Nord's online application portal "søknadsweb".

>> Read the full instructions on how to accept your offer here.

2. Apply for housing

As an international full degree student, you should apply for housing as soon as possible, to ensure that your application is successful.

Student housing is available through the student welfare organisation Studentinord.

3. Apply for a study permit

Students from countries outside the EU/EEA, must have a study permit prior to arriving in Norway.

You will need to document admission to the university and sufficient financial means.


Students from EU/EEA countries must obtain a study permit upon arrival in Norway. In most cases you can do this at the local police station. 

If you are a staying for longer than six (6) months you must register a change of address.

Students from Nordic countries do not need a permit, but will need to register a change of address.

4. Obtain private insurance

The University strongly encourages all international students to obtain private insurance prior to arrival in Norway. 

While some students may be covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or via reciprocal health care agreements, private insurance is important in case of prolonged illness, accident or injury.


The student welfare organisation Studentinord provides a range of health and counselling services. 

5. Check that you have received your student number

After you have accepted your offer of admission, you are considered to be a student at Nord University. In the beginning of August, you will receive an email with your student number. 

You need your student number to activate your student account and register for the semester (see 6. Registration below)​​

6. Register as a student for the autumn semester

As a new student, you will need to activate your student account in order to register.

You must have:

- Accepted your offer of admission
- Access to the email address that you used when you applied for admission
- Your student number (from your Welcome Letter, see 5. Check that you have received your student number, above)


7. Student access card and semester ID

Your student access card is a physical card that you tap to gain access to buildings on campus.

Your semester ID is an app, which shows that you are an active student at the University for the relevant semester. 

If you do not have a smart phone, you can collect a sticker, which you fix to your access card in order to validate your student status.

8. Check where and when you need to meet up

Plan to arrive in time for opening of the autumn semester (Commencement) and orientation meetings at your faculty and for your study programme. 

You can find the times and dates for commencement and orientation on the New Student website and in your Welcome Letter. 

Detailed information about commencement for each study programme is provided either on the study programme page (>>find your programme)​ or by email from your faculty (available late July). 

9. Log in to your student email

Your student email: name.surname@student.nord.no should be your primary email address for communication with the University, including with lecturers and other staff members. 

The University will also send important information to this email address from time to time. 

To log in to your student email, go to Office 365. Use the same username and password you used for semester registration (student number and password you created when you activated your student account).

10. Read up on digital learning and tools

Whether your study programme is campus-based, session-based or delivered purely online, digital tools will be an important part of your studies.

On the webpage "Digital learning and tools" you can read more about the e-learning platform Canvas, Microsoft Teams for collaboration, and the meeting and conference tool Zoom, plus others.

Webinars and training

You will need to familiarise yourself with a range of platforms and tools during your studies. The Center for Technology and Learning (KOLT) offers webinars, in which you can learn more about the different tools, such as Canvas, Microsoft 365, Zoom, Teams and Inspera.

>> Read more about digital learning and tools​

11. Log in to Canvas (e-learning platform)

In Canvas you have access to lecture notes, messages from lecturers and overviews of course literature.

24 hours after semester payment and registration, you will be able to log in to Canvas. Use the same username and password as for semester registration (student number, password created during activation). 

12. Register arrival/change of address

Citizens of countries outside of the EU/EEA must obtain a study prior to arrival in Norway. Your permit will give you more information about making an appointment to register at the police station upon arrival.

At the police station, you will be issued with a residence card, which you can use with your passport to travel in and out of Norway, and through the Schengen area.

EU/EEA citizens must report stays of more than three months at the local police station, upon arrival in Norway.

EU/EEA citizens do not need a study permit prior to arrival prior to arrival in Norway, but you will need to meet certain conditions in order to remain in Norway for an extended period of time. 

Citizens of other Nordic countries do not need to register their arrival in Norway, but may need to register a move to Norway.

>> Check which rules apply to you on UDI's website.​​

13. Obtain national ID / "D number"

If you are staying in Norway for more than 6 months, or are planning on working in Norway (check your study permit for working rights), you will need to obtain a national ID number (staying longer than 6 months) or D number (staying 6 months or less).

You also need an ID or D number if you want to open a bank account in Norway
 
The Norwegian government uses national ID numbers and D numbers to administrate income tax.

If you wish to obtain a national ID number or D number, you must visit the local taxation office.

 

​14. Register special requirements for teaching/learning/examinations

Let us know as soon as possible if you have special needs so that we can adapt the teaching and learning environment for you. 


The deadline to apply for special examination arrangements is September 15.

>> Read more about s​pecial arrangements here.

15. Get to know the IT Helpdesk

It is useful to know who to contact in case of technical issues with WiFi, email, passwords and the like.

The IT Helpdesk can assist you with these kinds of enquiries.


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