Volda University College
- Last Updated on: June 5, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
Volda University College (VUC) is renowned institution of applied sciences in Norway. The university is well regarded for academic excellence, scenic natural surroundings and beneficial student services. It offers a plethora of programs at different levels of tertiary education, including niche expertise in journalism and media programs. The distinctive features of the university are – located in stunning fjords, unmatched student services, affordable accommodation and exciting campus life. The international students can pursue high-quality education alongside exploring the breathtaking natural traits of the region.
Courses Offered
** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise
Why Choose this Volda University College
Teacher’s Training Specialization & Unmatched Facilities
- VUC has rich tradition of producing the educators in the region. The teacher’s training program at the university is highly regarded, as majority of former graduates are serving and contributing significantly for Norwegian education system.
- The university boasts modernized infrastructure related to academic and research aspect. It provides advanced media labs, vast and resourceful libraries and futuristic learning spaces. The students at the university are assured of enhanced academic life.
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Student Community & Global Opportunities
- The campuses of the university are vibrant places, offering active and engaging academic life to students. It encourage multiple academic, social and cultural activities throughout the year, fostering enhanced campus life, building new friendship and professional network.
- VUC provides various opportunities to students such as, study abroad through exchange programs, allowing students to explore global education and cultural integration. These opportunities are smoothly facilitated via partnership with leading universities and institutions.
Media, Journalism Expertise & Stunning Location
- VUC has huge reputation for possessing expertise in media and journalism programs. Students from different parts of the world can pursue these programs for a rewarding career in digital media, broadcasting and communication through top-notch programs offered by the university
- The university is situated in the heart of beautiful fjords, offering gorgeous natural traits, which includes forests, lakes and mountains. Students can enjoy skiing, hiking and other outdoor recreational activities during free time.
Affordable Education & Accommodation
- VUC is a public university of Norway, thereby offers education without charging any tuition fee. Moreover, affordable accommodation and low cost living of the region makes it an ideal option for both international and domestic students.
- Apart from tuition-free education, VUC provides affordable accommodation with all amenities and comfort. These accommodations are relatively cheaper than other Norwegian cities, making it financially feasible for students to pursue education at the university.
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Campus Facilities at Volda University College
Library & 24/7 Access to Facilities
- Comprehensive library is available at campus, offering books and digital resources. Dedicated librarian assisting for academic and research projects, designated individual and collaborative study spaces and extended hours access during examinations.
- Round the clock access university blocks is provided to students, which includes laboratories, study spaces and media equipment can be utilized beyond the regular classroom hours.
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Modernized Campus & Learning Lab (Læringsverkstaden)
- VUC is single-campus institution, offering all academic and extracurricular facilities under roof and without close proximity. The campus is purpose-built to provide hassle-free learning experience, supported by advanced and modern infrastructure with various beneficial student support services.
- The university boasts ‘Læringsverkstaden’ learning lab, offering seamless access to advanced technology. Students can access these facilities to enhance their academic experience. It provides facilities such as, Latest cameras, iPad, 3D printers, VR headsets, separate spaces for collaborative work. The university encourage students to utilize these features for innovative experiments.
Media, Journalism Facilities & Practical Learning Opportunities
- VUC is a pioneer in media and journalism education in Norway. The facilities for concerned disciplines provided by the university are unmatched, including a separate media block, offering facilities such as, editing suites, industry standard studios, latest cameras and broadcasting equipment. These facilities provides real-world experience for media students. They also work on projects and get interned at Student Media Center.
- The university provides valuable professional opportunities to students to plug the gap between academic and professional endeavors. Comprehensive internship opportunities such as, industry collaborations for on-site work experience, practical experience at campus at student-led news desk. Students also get placed at media organizations, educational institutions and social work opportunities.
Yksnøya Island Base-Camp: VUC is the only university in the region which provides an outdoor base camp at privately owned island for outdoor programs. Students pursuing teaching and sports programs receive immersive and practical learning in the lap of nature.
Student Services Offered by Volda University College
Academic Support & Well-Being Services
- VUC provides exhaustive academic support to students such as, study strategy, course selection and career-oriented support. Specially abled students get extended support like, supportive course material, extended examination time, assistance for group study and practical learning.
- The university gives utmost priority to overall well-being of students, thereby offers comprehensive health and wellbeing services via Si Volda (Studentsamskipnaden i Volda) such as, in-person consultation with no prior appointment, basic healthcare with prescriptions, counseling services for mental and psychological challenges.
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Student Services Office & International Opportunities
- VUC has a centralized student support services office that deals with academic, administrative and welfare-oriented programs for students. The office provides services such as, academic guidance, study strategies, examination queries, course registrations, disabled students support and welfare programs.
- The university boasts robust international partnership with various institutions. Students get opportunity to study abroad and internships, academic collaborations with partnered universities and ERASMUS+ program mobility guidance.
Student Welfare Initiatives & IT Services
- The university provides various welfare-oriented programs and services to students at the university such as, affordable and comfortable accommodation, financial assistance, promoting multiple student-led organizations and social engagements and workshops for mental and psychological challenges.
- VUC encompasses various IT and digital services to students. It offers Student Web, a portal for examination and course registration. Canvas platform for learning needs and academic interactions. Microsoft Office suites and remote access to digital resources.
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Student Life at Volda University College
Affordability & Features of Volda Town
- VUC provides budget-friendly accommodation to students. These residences are comparatively inexpensive than other big cities of Norway. Volda being a small town, most of the daily essentials are in close proximity, thereby reducing the time and cost.
- The town of Volda located in the fjords, offers stunning and scenic natural surroundings such as, lakes, mountains and forests. These natural facilities are conducive for skiing, hiking and kayaking. Moreover, the town is peaceful and safe, an ideal destination for education to all international students.
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Student Community & Extracurricular Activities
- The town of Volda is a compact place, it accommodate a substantial student strength with welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, the campus is also a close-knit community. All the amenities of the town are in close proximity, allowing students to reach the desired place in no time, reducing time wastage and transport expenditure.
- The campus celebrates different local and international festivals, including cultural events throughout the year. Students get the opportunity to foster friendship, build professional network and showcase their personal talent to the campus community.
Student-Led Organizations & Student Parliament: VUC boasts multiple student-led organizations and clubs catering to diversified interests and preferences. Organizations and clubs such as, arts & culture – university choir, band and orchestra. Sports & outdoor activities – Volda student sports club, natura natural club etc. media & journalism – student run TV and radio, journalist association of Volda. It also offers various political and social groups.
Scholarships Offered by Volda University College
NORDPLUS Scholarship: This scholarship is applicable to students who are studying at consortium of partnered universities of NORDPLUS. It offers varied financial assistance to students exchange students within the university consortium of Baltic and Nordic countries.
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ERASMUS+ Scholarship: It is awarded to students who opts for ERASMUS+ international mobility within the limits of European union and selected countries outside EU. In order to receive financial assistance, students must have nomination form their home university. It offers monthly stipend to cover living and traveling expenses.
Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen): The Norwegian government funded loans are available to Norwegian students only. It provides loans and grants for Norwegian students for education in Norway or any other foreign country.
Additional Funding Options: Students can seek few government funded scholarships or home country funding to cover educational expenditure at the university. Students are advised to check the availability of such financial sources to fund their education at Norway.
Internships & Placements at Volda University College
Program-Specific Internships & Coordinators Support
- VUC offers valuable internship placements to students pursuing various programs at the university. Few noteworthy placements are – BA in Animation – offers placement at animation and creative industries. Students pursuing education programs get placed at regional and international schools for real-time teaching experience. BA in Social Work discipline get internships at social organizations.
- Similarly students pursuing BA in Media Design & Production and PR & Communication are placed at design firms and media houses, PR agencies and marketing firms respectively. While students pursuing MA in Media Practices get interned at broadcasting and media houses, getting hands-on experience in journalism.
- Every department at the university has a dedicated coordinator, helping students to find an internship as per course pursuance. While the International Office assists students with global opportunities and ERASMUS+ internships and funding options.
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Real-time Learning Opportunities & ERASMUS+ Mobility Grants
- The internships help students to grasp hands-on experience and practical skills. It also help them to build a professional network and exposure to industry practices. In fact, most of the interns get permanent job offers from the industry. The internships help students to transit seamlessly into professional world.
- The eligible students can opt for ERASMUS+ internship opportunities at EU industries and business houses. Appropriate financial grants up to €680 per month is awarded for minimum internship duration of two months. Students who have recently completed graduation can apply for 12 months of internship at European union with financial assistance depending upon host country.
Course-Integrated Internships: Majority of programs at the university for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses have integrated internships facilitated at Norway or internationally. These internships helps students to gain practical knowledge and learn about the industry practices.
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Entry Requirements for Volda University College
For Undergraduate Entry: Applicants must have secondary school qualification at par with Norwegian high school diploma. They must meet Higher Education Entrance Qualification (GSU) for admission. Applicants are advised to check qualification requirements of different countries via GSU list.
English Language Proficiency Requirements: Applicants coming from non-English speaking countries must show evidence of English language proficiency via following tests – TOEFL iBT – overall score of minimum 80 or IELTS – at least 6.0 overall score or Cambridge English – FCE (First Certificate) or higher.
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Process of Application & Deadlines
- All international applications are entertained only through online portal ‘Søknadsweb’. Documents alongside application form required are – academic transcripts and diploma, English language proficiency certificate and passport or national ID copy.
- For EU/EEA applicants 15th of April is the last date for applications, while 15th of January is for Non-EU/EEA applicants, who requires a visa.
For Postgraduate Entry: International applicants need a bachelor’s degree from relevant field, equivalent to Norwegian degree of 180 ECTS credits. A minimum grade C is mandatory in undergraduate degree. Few programs like Master’s in Media Practices requires 90 ECTS, minimum 1.5 years of study in media and journalism field.
Additional Requirements: Applicants may asked to submit motivation letter detailing the purpose of study and career aspirations. A portfolio or showreel is also mandatory for programs like Master’s in Media Practices. A virtual interview session is also needed for some programs for selection process.
English Language Proficiency Requirements: Applicants coming from non-English speaking countries must show evidence of English language proficiency via following tests – TOEFL iBT – overall score of minimum 80 or IELTS – at least 6.0 overall score.
Application Deadlines: For EU/EEA applicants 15th of April is the last date for applications, while 15th of January is for Non-EU/EEA applicants, who requires a visa. Generally, the results of selection is announced by 25th of May, and semester commences in the month of August.
Norwegian Language Courses Admission (NIS): This courses are open to applicants who satisfy GSU requirements. The admission in the course doesn’t mean entry into the university, applicants must complete the admission procedure as prescribed by the university. Prior knowledge of Norwegian language is not required to seek admission in language courses.
Rankings & Awards of Volda University College
National & International Rankings
- According to EduRank 2025 – VUC has achieved the following domestic and international rankings – it stood at 19th rank in Norway. 1099th rank in European union, 558th rank for social work globally and took 4106th global rank.
- Although VUC is relatively a medium sized university, but overtook many large universities across the world in the disciplines of media and journalism, primarily for emphasis on practical learning.
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Awards & Recognition
- The university has been bestowed with several prestigious awards and recognition. Few noteworthy awards are – the Master’s in Media Practices was honored with International Awards for Media Master Program in 2021. It received Quality in Education Prize for innovative and student-centric teaching in 2022.
- Additionally, VUC participates in ERASMUS+ program for international mobility, allowing students to engage in international academic and research collaborations. Through Fulbright Scholar program, the university has welcomed many researchers and scholars for lectures and research projects.
Acceptance Rate of Volda University College (VUC)
- Similar to many Norwegian universities, VUC doesn’t disclose its acceptance rate publicly. However, on the basis of credible sources, it is estimated that university has an acceptance rate between 50-60%. Although the admission is entirely based on program requirements and number of applications received.
- Major factors that influence the admission at the university are – satisfaction of academic requirements and language proficiency. Moreover, few programs in media and journalism need portfolios, motivation letter, showreels, including an interview session etc. the programs in media and journalism are always in huge demand, therefore possess low acceptance rate, while programs in teaching and social work acceptance rate varies as per applications received.
Conclusion: VUC boasts a liberal acceptance rate of 50-60% in comparison to other Norwegian universities. But, few programs have strict admission criteria, especially in media and journalism. Moreover, applicants must also satisfy the academic and language requirements, which are prescribed as per Norway’s education system and international standards respectively.
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