Degree and credit system

Volda University College uses the ECTS credit system. The number of credits indicate the nominal length of study and the workload.


Use of ECTS at Volda University College
One year of full-time studies corresponds to 60 ECTS credits (in Norwegian "studiepoeng") and one semester of full-time studies correspond to 30 ECTS credits. Most courses offered at Volda University College are of 15 ECTS credit value. This means that most students only enroll in two courses per semester.

Credits are awarded only when the course has been completed and the student has passed all required examinations.

Study programme vs. course
At Volda University College the term study programme referes to a continous programme of studies leading to a qualification or degree.

The term course refers to an individual part (unit/module) of the study programme for which the student will receive a grade.

Study programmes offered and nominal lenght:
Bachelor's degree programmes: The typical Bachelor's programme offered at VUC is a three year programme consisting of 180 ECTS credits/studiepoeng. A noticable exeption is the teacher training programme which lasts for 4 years (240 ECTS).

Master's degree programmes: The Master's programmes at VUC are 2-year programmes consisting of 120 ECTS credits.

Courses and course groups:
A courses may be obligatory or elective in the study programme. Course groups are combination of courses going into a study programme. For example, it is common that a study programme includes a course group of 80 ECTS credits (major) and a course group of 40 ECTS credits (minor) as well as elective courses. All courses are taught in Norwegian language, apart from those especially mentioned as courses taught in English

Each course is provided a course code which refers to the discipline and level of the course. 100-level courses are introductory courses at the Bachelor's level, 200-level is advanced courses at the Bachelor's level and 300-level refers to courses at the Master's levels. For example: DJM309 is a course in the field of Documentary, Journalism and Media at the Master's level.

Diploma Supplement and Grade Transcript:
Students completing a study programme at Volda University College will be issued a Diploma Supplement. Exchange students studying at VUC for one or two semesters will be issued a grade transcript in English.

System of higher education in Norway:
Read more about the system of higher education in Norway on the website of the Centre for Internationalization in Education (SiU).