Guidelines for Chapter 3: Study Progression
These guidelines provide a practical and supplementary explanation of Chapter 3 in the Regulations on Higher Vocational Education at Noroff Higher Vocational College.
Last updated: 03.06.2026
Effective from: 1 September 2025
General information on study progression
A student may submit an application to make changes to their study offer. Applications must be submitted through the support portal. An offer to make changes to the study will be valid for 10 days. If the student does not respond to the offer within that period, a new application must be submitted.
Changes in the start-up month (trial period)
All new students have a trial period that runs through the month of their start. Within this period, the student may request changes to the study offer without paying a change fee.
Deadlines for requests to change during the trial period:
• Start in August: 31 August
• Start in October: 31 October
• Start in January: 31 January
• Start in March: 31 March
A change made during the trial period does not grant a new trial period or a new cooling-off period for the contract (cf. study contract § 1.2).
New enrollment
If a student wants to change program or course, the student must cancel their place in the current study offer and submit a new application in the admissions portal for the desired education via Noroff's website. Admission to the new education requires that applications for that specific intake are still open.
Postponed study start
• Online students: May postpone their start to one of the four annual intakes.
• Campus students: May postpone their start to the next August intake.
Change between online and campus
A change between online and campus requires a new admission through the admissions department. When changing to campus, availability in the relevant class must be checked. Tuition fees for campus are higher than for online education.
*Change between full-time and part-time applies to online students only.
Loan agencies / Centrala studiestödsnämnden / NAV / Employer
Students are responsible for notifying external organisations or partners (e.g., Lånekassen, CSN, NAV, or their employer) about changes that may affect other agreements. When changing between full-time and part-time, students should check in advance how this affects their entitlement to student loans.
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Changes during the studies
Change of study location
• Changing between campus and online: Fee NOK 3,000.
• Changing campus: Fee NOK 3,000.
When changing from online to campus, the student must be aware that campus tuition fees are higher. All campus students are members of a student welfare organization. Note that online students are not members of a student welfare organization. Online students who wish to become members of a student welfare organization can request this via the support portal (applies to Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Kristiansand).
To have a change of study location approved, the invoiced tuition fee must be paid and all course assignments passed.
Changes are only permitted between semesters. Deadlines to apply are:
• Before semester start in August – deadline 31 July
• Before semester start in October – deadline 30 September
• Before semester start in January – deadline 31 December
• Before semester start in March – deadline 28 (29) February
Change between full-time and part-time
Applies only to online students: Fee NOK 3,000.
Contact study administration as soon as possible. If you have already started an examination, it must be completed before changing between full-time and part-time. A change is contingent on that there is an available class on the same curriculum. Only two changes between full-time and part-time will be granted.
Change of specialisation
Students enrolled in programmes that offer a choice of specialisation in the second year may change specialisation free of charge up to the deadlines listed below. The student must first confirm with their program manager that a specialisation change is possible, then submit a request to study administration via the support portal to be transferred.
Technical Design – Architectural / Mechanical
Requests must be submitted before the withdrawal deadline for the second semester (31 December, 28/29 February, 31 July or 30 September, depending on the student's class).
Sound and Music Production 2 – Sound Engineering / Composition
Requests must be submitted before the start of the second year in August.
Film Production 2
Requests must be submitted before the start of the second year in August.
3D Art and Games Technology – Interactive 3D / Content Creation
Requests must be submitted no later than the end of academic week 15 in the second study year.
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Details on § 3-2: Extended study rights or examination rights
Applications for extended study rights or examination rights should be submitted to study administration via the support portal. Extensions are normally granted for 6 or 12 months depending on the study for which the extension is requested. Students must not have outstanding tuition fees.
Fee: NOK 10,000 per semester for extended study rights.
Details on § 3-6: Voluntary withdrawal (termination of study contract)
(cf. study contract)
Termination of the study contract must be submitted in writing to study administration via the student portal in order to be considered valid. You will receive written confirmation when the termination is received and approved.
The following are NOT considered valid reasons or valid documentation:
• Messages sent via Teams, email or verbal messages to teachers, Success Managers, Program Managers, etc.
• Lack of semester registration in Studentweb.
• Lack of login or activity on the learning platform.
Note: Rejection of financial support from Lånekassen, CSN or similar is NOT considered a valid reason for a cost-free withdrawal. The normal notice periods apply. If a payment plan is required, it is important to contact the finance/accounting department via the support portal before the due date.
For new students
The cancellation deadline for new students is the last day of the month of the study start.
• Start in August – cancellation deadline 31 August
• Start in October – cancellation deadline 31 October
• Start in January – cancellation deadline 31 January
• Start in March – cancellation deadline 31 March
For existing students
The cancellation deadline for existing students is the last day of the month prior to the new semester start.
The four academic semesters are arranged as follows depending on intake start:
• August start: Semesters 1 & 3 = August–December, Semesters 2 & 4 = January–June
• October start: Semesters 1 & 3 = October–March, Semesters 2 & 4 = March–October
• January start: Semesters 1 & 3 = January–June, Semesters 2 & 4 = August–December
• March start: Semesters 1 & 3 = March–October, Semesters 2 & 4 = October–March
Cancellation deadlines by semester start:
• Semester start in August – cancellation deadline 31 July
• Semester start in October – cancellation deadline 30 September
• Semester start in January – cancellation deadline 31 December
• Semester start in March – cancellation deadline 28 (29) February
*Cancellation after these deadlines will result in the student being charged the full tuition fee for the upcoming semester.
These deadlines apply regardless of whether you study full-time or part-time. Part-time students have the same number of academic semesters as full-time students but twice the number of calendar semesters (i.e., 8 calendar semesters total). Deadlines for semesters 5–8 on part-time follow the same schedule as semesters 1–4 described above.
If you must withdraw from your studies due to unforeseen, serious circumstances that make continued studies unreasonably burdensome or impossible, you may apply to only pay for the instruction offered. If you wish to apply to only pay for instruction offered, you must submit an application to study administration via the support portal.
Note that valid documentation must be attached to the termination for the application to be processed. Any subsequent submission of documentation must be made no later than two weeks after the original request was registered. The attached documentation must confirm that the student is unable to continue studies from a specified date. Backdated documentation is normally not approved. When submitting a medical certificate, sick notes intended for employers are not accepted. Applications are only possible for the current semester. The application for paying only for instruction offered must be sent within the semester.
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Details on § 3-7: Leave of absence from education
Leave may be granted for parental leave, compulsory military service, duties in student political or elected bodies, or other compelling reasons. The purpose is to allow the student to temporarily pause studies without losing their study place.
Application and documentation requirements
The student must send a written application to study administration via the support portal when the need arises. The application must include valid documentation:
• Parental leave: Confirmation of due date (for pregnant students), birth certificate/paternity declaration (for the father/co-parent), or adoption documentation.
• Compulsory military service: Documentation from the Armed Forces.
• Duties in student-political / elected bodies: Confirmation from the relevant body.
• Other compelling reasons: Assessed individually (e.g., unexpected death, caring for a seriously ill close relative, acute illness). Documentation from a doctor, specialist or hospital must be provided.
Documentation must be signed and stamped by the issuer, and be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Deadlines and processing time
Applications must be submitted as soon as the need becomes known. Processing time may be up to 14 days. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Leave may be granted from the date the documented need occurs.
The decision may result in: leave granted or leave denied. The decision is an individual administrative decision and may be appealed under Chapter 6 of the regulations.
Duration and resumption
Leave is normally granted for up to two semesters. Parental leave is granted for up to 52 consecutive weeks per child. The student has the right to resume studies at the same level as before the leave. Study plans and curricula may change during the leave period. For campus students, there is only one annual start (August), which may affect the timing of resumption.
Tuition fee
The student will not be charged more than the total tuition fee for the study offer. If leave is granted after tuition has been invoiced, the payment deadline for the already issued invoice applies.
Studies with support
The student is responsible for checking the consequences for loans or grants from Lånekassen / CSN, and to notify them if leave is granted. NAV / Försäkringskassan must be notified if leave is granted where applicable.
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Details on § 3-8: Individual adaptation
Students with disabilities or special needs have the right to individual facilitation of learning environment, learning activities, learning materials, assignments and exams, in line with the Vocational Education Act § 15. The purpose of facilitation is to remove barriers to learning and assessment without imposing a disproportionate burden on the vocational college.
Disabilities include loss or impairment of bodily functions, including mental, intellectual or sensory functions, such as dyslexia, ADHD or visual and mobility impairments. Mental illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorder are also considered disabilities. Concentration difficulties and exam anxiety qualify only if they are severe enough to be considered disabilities. The list is not exhaustive.
Special needs may be temporary or permanent physical, psychosocial or learning-related challenges, such as a broken arm, breastfeeding, or care for small children. The list is not exhaustive.
The student is responsible for providing the higher vocational college with the necessary information for assessing the case. This can include filling out the college's application form and attaching relevant documentation. Staff who handle student and personal data must follow applicable laws, such as the Public Administration Act and the Personal Data Act. Case handling is confidential, and each application is assessed individually based on the student's needs.
Application and documentation requirements
The student must submit an application with relevant documentation to study administration via the support portal. The application should describe the student's challenges in their studies and/or exams. It should describe their needs and the student may suggest possible adaptations to compensate for their challenges. This should provide the higher vocational college with enough information to assess the application.
Application forms and documentation should:
• Be recently dated, unless the facilitation need is permanent.
• Be signed and stamped by an authorized physician or specialist.
• Be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Definitions:
Doctor: A medically qualified and licensed professional able to diagnose and treat illnesses.
Authorized specialist: May be a psychiatrist or a specialist from institutions such as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP) or District Psychiatric Centre (DPS). The list is not exhaustive.
Link to application form for facilitation during study (PDF)
Link to application form for facilitation during exams (PDF)
Deadlines and processing time
Unless the need is permanent an individual adaptation must be applied for each academic year. The higher vocational college recommends applying as soon as the study contract is accepted so adaptations can be in place before the study begins. Processing may take up to 21 days, and if processing takes longer the student will receive a provisional response.
Adaptation for everyday studies
The earlier you apply, the earlier it is possible to have the adaptation in place. Therefore, it is best to apply as early as possible. The adaptation itself cannot be granted before the start of studies.
Adaptation of exams
The earlier you apply, the earlier it is possible to have the adaptation in place. Therefore, it is best to apply as early as possible. The adaptation itself cannot be granted before the start of studies.
The application deadline is no later than 14 days before the start of the exam.
Acute injuries or illness
Applications may be considered after the deadline but require documentation. Processing may take up to 7 days; if longer, the student will receive an interim response.
Control of application
Study administration assesses whether the application contains sufficient information. If insufficient, the student will be asked for additional documentation or clarifications.
Academic assessment and adaptation measures
Applications are assessed individually and based on the student's needs, the study offer's academic requirements and available resources. Adaptation must not compromise the academic quality, but should ensure equal opportunities to complete and graduate a higher vocational education.
Measures may vary between study offers. They must be appropriate even if they do not fully align with the student's or doctor's suggestions. Facilitation can be provided as long as it does not impose a disproportionate burden on the higher vocational college.
Examples of facilitation measures
• Additional follow-up from staff
• Help with study planning
• Reading support
• Suitable room with supervision
• Extended deadlines
• Adapted examination
The list is not exhaustive.
Decision on adaption
The student will receive a written decision from study administration detailing approval or rejection. If approved, the decision will describe which adaptation measures are granted, their duration and the right to appeal. If rejected, a justification and information about the right to appeal will be provided.
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Details on § 3-9: Adaptation of exams
In accordance with the Vocational Education Act § 28, pregnant students have the right to deferred exams from three weeks before to six weeks after the expected due date. The child's other parent has the right to deferred exams within two weeks after the birth.
A student who can document illness during the two weeks before an exam submission deadline may be granted an extension for the submission. Applications for extended deadlines must be submitted without delay when the need arises. Extensions are granted based on documented illness absence and for a maximum of two weeks. If the student does not submit within the new deadline, the rules for continuation or deferred exam apply. Applications must be submitted via the support portal and are processed by study administration.
The student will receive a written decision from study administration stating approval or rejection, including details on duration and appeal rights.
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Details on § 3-10: Credit transfer and exemption
Legal basis
Rules concerning credit and exemption are laid down in the Vocational Education Act §8, the Vocational Education Regulations §37 and Noroff Higher Vocational College's own regulations § 3-10.
Definitions
Credit transfer means that previous education, courses or learning outcomes that the student has already achieved from another accredited vocational school are assessed and recognised as part of the student's vocational education. If previous education corresponds to learning outcomes in courses for the current education, the student will have these recognised and not receive credits again. The higher vocational college is obliged to recognise courses from accredited vocational education if it is assessed that the courses meet the academic requirements for one or more courses in the education. It is not possible to be credited more credits than what the student has previously achieved.
Exemption means that the student is exempted from the requirement to complete a course on the basis of documented equivalent competence. Such exemption may be granted based on documented prior learning and work experience. It refers to prior learning as relevant education and competence, which is competence obtained in ways other than through vocational education. The higher vocational college is not obliged to grant an exemption, but is obliged to assess the application for an exemption.
Application process
An application for credit transfer or exemption must be submitted in writing to the study administration via the support portal. The application should be submitted as soon as possible and must contain relevant and valid documentation* for the case manager to assess the application further. The documentation can be in Norwegian, English or another Scandinavian language. Information about the course and course code you are applying credit transfer or exemption for must also be enclosed. Applications that lack the necessary documentation may be rejected or not considered.
*Documentation requirements
The student must document the education or competence that is relevant and that can form a basis for the application. The documentation must be sufficient so that the higher vocational college can assess whether the learning outcomes correspond to the requirements of the course or study program in question.
Examples of documentation that may be relevant:
• Diploma or transcript
• Course or program descriptions
• Course certificates
• Work certificates
• Documentation of other relevant competence
The list is not exhaustive.
Granted academic approval of individual courses does not automatically entitle you to a reduction in tuition fees (cf. study contract). Approval of credit transfer or exemption of courses may lead to a reduction in study support from the Norwegian Student Loan Fund (Lånekassen) and the Swedish Student Loan Fund (CSN), as they calculate study support based on how many credits the student takes. No double counting is given for courses that are approved.
Deadlines and processing time
Noroff higher vocational college recommends applying as soon as the study contract has been accepted, as for credit transfer and/or exemption can be granted from the start of the education. You must have accepted the study offer to be able to apply, which means that no prior approval is given. Processing can take up to three (3) weeks, and in the event of a longer processing time, the student will receive temporary feedback.
Decisions on credit transfer and exemptions
Decisions on credit transfer and exemptions are individual decisions with a requirement for justification and the right to appeal. Decisions are made by the study administration after assessment by the program manager. Upon approval, the credit transfer or exemption granted or denied is described, as well as the right to appeal. In the event of denial, justification and information about the right to appeal are provided.
Link to application form for credit transfer and exemption (PDF) in the norwegian text.
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Approved by: Head of Administration, Birgit Kjelsrud.
Version control
An overview of all changes or updates made to the document:
• Version 1.0: Created 26.08.2025. Senior Advisor Anne Marie Johnson, Study Administration.
• Version 1.1: Written 08.09.2025. Advisor Henrik Aagesen and Norry Prum, Study Administration.
• Version 1.2: Wording adaptation. 03.02.2026. Advisor Heidi Pedersen and Emily Martinsen, Study Administration.
• Version 1.3: Removed deadlines for every day studies adaptation. 14.04.2026. Advisor Heidi Pedersen, Sarah Alfsen Hammersmark and Emily Martinsen, Study Administration.
• Version 1.4: Wording credit transfer and exemption. 03.06.2026. Advisor Heidi Pedersen, Sarah Alfsen Hammersmark and Birgit W. Kjelsrud, Study Administration.