Monday, July 23, 2007

Institutions In Sweden
In Sweden, there are 39 accredited institutions of higher education. Many of them offer English-language education accessible to international students.
Finding the institution that is right for you depends on a number of factors - your academic interests, course availability, but also the location and size of an institution.
Not everyone is familiar with the geography of Sweden, so it helps to put these places on a map. Use the menus on the left to find academic institutions on an interactive map of Sweden. You can look through an alphabetical list of institutions, or you can browse them by region and by size. Some students prefer big campuses in big cities, while others prefer the more intimate atmosphere of smaller schools and smaller towns; now it's easy to find these places.
Some institutions have several campuses in addition to the main one.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

What you need to know when considering an online education



I have been both an online college student and a traditional ground college student. I have my preferences now as a seasoned college veteran and have learned a few tricks to keep online students on track. Here are my top five things to consider when looking for an online school:

1. Are you able to commit yourself to learning on your own? Online degree programs offer the convenience of going to class when it's convenient for you. This is a major plus for those who work full time and are juggling a family. The trade-off for this convenience is actual face to face contact with faculty and students. There are no online lectures with notes and handouts to facilitate your learning. Everything you learn online will be from reading your text and doing research in the library. You are responsible for your own success or failure.

2. Can you handle the cost? I was amazed at how much it costs for the convenience of going to school online. I was paying almost $2,000 for a 3 credit course. You have no room for failures or dropped course work online since the fees are so high. Financial aid grants will only cover so much be prepared to take out hefty loans. To some students ground college will make more sense if they foresee paying back these $40,000 loans will cause a problem.

3. How many transfer credits do you have? This is an important fact to consider when thinking of online schools. Make sure you take a good look at the college catalog to see what degree program your credits fit into. I can say with great probability that all your credits will not transfer and the school is allowed to give credit for a certain number of credits. Make sure you go over the transfer credits with your academic representative to make sure your getting the most credits possible.

4. Is the school accredited? It would be an absolute horror to spend four years and $40,000 getting a degree from a school that isn't even recognized as a reputable facility. You wouldn't go to a fake doctor would you? Same holds true for schools. Schools that meet educational standards are accredited and are the online students best bet.

5. Can you get the same quality out of a traditional ground school for half the cost? I am a firm believer in using the county colleges to knock out the core classes like English 101 and 102 before entering a costly online program. I understand the simplicity online schools have to offer but the fact is community colleges are so much cheaper in comparison and in some cases it makes more sense to get rid of the bulk of your classes to ease the loan payback.

Online schools offer students a chance to work full time and still earn their degree. It makes sense to a lot of students who are juggling school, work, and family. The downside is the cost of this convenience. With cut throat enrollment tactics, academic sales people will tell the student anything to get them enrolled, even if they can't afford the loan payback. Think long and hard to decide if an online degree program is right for you and your family.


Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Tuition Free Universities in Denmark
Studying in Denmark offers the international students many opportunities for personal, academic or professional development. Students have the following options to choose from:
full degree programmeThe student follow a full-time study programme at undergraduate or postgraduate level and finish with a Danish award or a joint/double degree.
exchange/guest student programme Exchange students usually come to Denmark via an institutional, a bilateral or a multilateral exchange programme and follow courses of their own choice at the host institution for one or two semesters. They are also called рnon-degree studentsҀ because they finalise their studies at their home institution with transfer of credit for their studies in Denmark. Guest students are accepted on the same conditions as exchange students, but come from institutions with no cooperation agreement with the Danish host institution.
specially designed programmeSome institutions offer pre-designed semester packages, intensive programmes or other kinds of specially designed programmes for international students. The students, who follow these specially designed programmes, usually come to Denmark on exchange or guest student conditions.
summer university programmeSome universities offer courses during the summer holiday in a broad variety of disciplines and with the possibility for international students to choose as many courses as they like.
All programmes offer high quality education in a challenging study environment. Although the national language is Danish, international students will find plenty of programmes taught in English, and it is also fairly easy to live in the country with no prior knowledge of Danish as most Danes speak English.
Bachelor Degree programmes in DenmarkAt undergraduate level, three types of degrees are offered at different types of institutions ր each with well-defined profiles and qualities. This gives the international students a great variety of study options depending on their interest; be they mainly research-oriented or of a more professional and applied character.
3 year bachelor degree programmes in all academic fields offered by the research universities
3-4 year professional bachelor programmes in field such as business, engineering, it nursing, education and social work offered by university colleges and higher education colleges. These institutions have a professional focus and combine theoretical studies with applied research and practical application in many different fields. Some are placed in the larger cities, others in more tranquil surroundings in smaller towns
2-year academy profession degrees in fields such as business, technology, multimedia, food industry, tourism etc offered by Academies of Professional Higher Education. They are fairly newly established mergers of smaller institutions with very strong linkages with the regional business and industry.
MasterҀs Degree ProgrammesDanish university education is rooted on a continental European university tradition based on the continuous cooperation between teaching and research. This is a particularly prevailing aspect at MasterҀs degree level. MasterҀs degree programmes are offered in all subject-areas be they in the more traditional academic subjects, in fields such as business, engineering, it or some of the new edge-cutting research fields as nano-technology, food science and environmental protection. At MasterҀs degree level, international students can choose from among around 100 programmes taught fully in English in all subject fields. Ph.D. programmes are usually always possible to follow in English.
The following options are available for international students:
2-year MSc or MA programmesAccess requirements are at least a bachelor degree of good standing, normally in the same or a nearby subject area as the master programme. Some universities also give international students the opportunity to complete studies in one year with a postgraduate diploma.
1-year Master degree programmes e.g. MBA programmes. Most of these MasterҀs degree programmes are part-time programmes allowing students to work while studying. A few are very intensive full time 1-year programmes.Access requirements are at least a bachelor degree of good academic standing and 2 ր3 years of professional experience
3-year PhD programmesEntry requirement is a MSc or MA level degree.
MasterҀs degree programmes are offered by the 12 Danish research universities as well as by the 13 academics and specialist university level institutions in architecture, art and music.
Tuition and scholarshipsSo far tuition is free for undergraduate and MSc and MA studies. It is expected that from 2006 a tuition fee system will be introduced for international full degree students outside the EU/EEA countries. However, at the same time a national scholarship programme will be introduced. Institutional recognition/accreditation Nearly all higher education institutions in Denmark are public and are thereby subject to an overall state-regulation. Institutions have an extensive institutional autonomy, but they must at the same time abide by an overall framework of quality assurance, guaranteeing that all Danish universities live up to high national as well as international academic standards.
What is it like to study in Denmark? Danish higher education has a long academic tradition that combines excellence with a dynamic and innovative culture in research as well as in the teaching methods and learning environments.
High standards, institutional and personal commitment, interdisciplinary studies and project work are some of the characteristics of studying in Denmark. Apart from attending lectures, students work together in small groups, and they are expected to contribute actively to discussions and to be capable of working independently. The studentҀs own critical and analytical initiative is an important element of higher education in Denmark. For some international students this is a new way of studying, which most students find positive and challenging.
Student lifeIn general only a few Danish universities have campus-like facilities, so the campus-life that international students may know from their own or other countries, does not exist to the same degree in Denmark. However, this does not mean that the social life at the higher education institutions does not exist, on the contrary.
The social life at many institutions is vital and varied. Often there are several committees at the different institutes that organise activities, such as parties, caf退s, excursions, student politics etc. Moreover, most higher education institutions also arrange sports activities that students can use if they sign up as a member.
Furthermore, many institutions have, as a special service to international students, established a student-to-student programme in order to make the international students feel at home more easily. On arrival, a ӀbuddyԀ (a pre-enrolled student) will help the students get settled, meet other students and assist them with practical matters in their first weeks at the university. Attending the special introductory programmes and the courses in Danish language and culture are another opportunity for the international students to facilitate their stay and to meet other international and Danish students.
Philip Robinson, Ireland, Studying Religion and Gym in DenmarkI like the pace of life in Denmark, the cycles and the way of studying. The students learn to reflect upon their own choices, get detailed feedback and have to defend their projects at oral exams. This makes students more self-reliant and independent ր and this is very positive.
Further information: Denmark and the Danish Society: www.denmark.dkStudying in Denmark: www.ciriusonline.dk/engWorking in Denmark: www.workindenmark.dk
Jette Kirstein jk@ciriusmail.dk
Study tuition-free in Germany (Deggendorf)
There is now a FREE alternative to exchange programs - and American colleges! And you don䀀t need to be fluent in German to participate.
A new program aimed at English-speaking students makes it easier for Americans to study in Germany. The German government is supporting the efforts of globally-oriented universities to attract foreign students. Because relatively few foreign applicants are proficient in German, and because English language proficiency is required of its graduates, Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule Deggendorf) will offer the first two years of its four year bachelor's degree programs in English. Students are expected to improve their German proficiency during this time through interaction with German students and culture, working in German companies, and though supplementary intensive German language courses.
Before beginning the final two years of study foreign students must pass a German language proficiency exam. . Upon successful completion of the program students will be awarded a bachelors degree. Students who elect to leave the program earlier will receive American style transcripts to facilitate the transfer of credits to American (or other foreign) colleges and universities.
Although the program is oriented toward recent high school graduates, applicants who have already earned college credits are eligible for advanced placement. Motivation and the potential for German language proficiency and success in the program weigh more heavily in the selection criteria than current demonstrated German language proficiency. This means a good high school graduate with two or three years of German as well as a college student with one year of German could be accepted.
Deggendorf is a state-supported university offering degrees in business administration and electrical, mechanical and civil engineering. There is currently no charge for tuition.
For more information visit www.FH-deggendorf.de or write to jack.bauersachs@FH-deggendorf.de.
List of institutions
No matter what your academic interests are Norway can offer a wide variety of institutions - all with their own distinct profile. And the difference in geographic location, from the rugged islands of Svalbard in the Arctic to the capital city Oslo, makes each institution a perfect starting point for unique nature experiences.
The Norwegian higher education sector consists of six universities, six specialised university institutions, 25 state university colleges, two national academies of the arts, and 29 private colleges. For more information about each institution, please click on the link below.

http://www.studyinnorway.no/where_can_i_study/list_of_institutions

Tuition/Scholarships
Completing a university degree is often considered to be an expensive endeavour and tuition fees are usually making up the bulk part of the cost. Norwegian universities and state university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees for international students. However, you should take into consideration that living expenses in Norway are higher than in many other countries.
"Nothing is for free" is a saying that is true in many cases. But in Norway it is possible to get quality education without having to pay tuition fees. If certain prerequisites are met you could also be eligible for financial support that can pay for your living expenses. Through various fellowship programmes, scholarship schemes or student loans, international students can receive funding for a full degree or a limited number of semesters.
I want to study in Norway but need financial support. What do I do?How you can financially support your stay in Norway will depend on several factors:- your current country of legal residency- your current home institution- your previous education- what institution/degree/subject area you are seeking admission to
We recommend that you first contact the International Office at your home university to see if institutional agreements with a Norwegian institution exist. Also, check our scholarship section to see if you are eligible for support through any programmes or schemes.

Study in Norway
Norway offers you a unique student experience and Norwegian institutions of higher education welcome applications sent by qualified students from all over the world.
Internationalisation is a priority within all sectors of the Norwegian education system, and universities and university colleges are constantly working to facilitate for international students. Nearly 11 000 foreign nationals are currently enrolled at Norwegian institutions of higher education. International students may apply for admission to a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. You may come to Norway as student through established exchange programmes, institutional agreements, or as a so called "free mover", where you arrange the stay by yourself (type of study, length and financing).
Quality education

With a wide range of high quality courses and great flexibility, Norwegian institutions prove to be an ideal study destination. From vocational subjects to postgraduate and doctorate level, there are plenty of opportunities for students to fulfil their ambitions. You will also benefit from the informal atmosphere at Norwegian universities and university colleges, where teachers are easily approachable and tuition often takes place in small groups. Most institutions also have well equipped computer facilities with free Internet access.
Study off the beaten track

In our northern corner of the world you can combine your studies with exciting outdoor activities, both winter and summer. You can see the Aurora Borealis ("Northern lights"), experience the midnight sun, fjords and mountains. Challenge yourself with skiing, white water rafting or climbing. Or simply enjoy the fresh air, clean water and lots and lots of space. As a student in Norway you will never be short of possibilities for unique nature experiences.

Admission & Application
In order to obtain the neccessary application forms and information about the application deadlines you will have to contact each university or university college. In general the application deadline for foreign students is between January 15 to March 15 for courses starting the following autumn (August). Please note that some institutions have separate"pre-qualification" deadlines that are earlier than this.


Academic requirements
A compilation of country-specific information called the GSU-list (formerly SIS list) states what level of education applicants from different countries need to meet for entry into Norwegian higher education, including any requirements concerning proficiency in English. For courses where the language of instruction is Norwegian, proficiency in the Norwegian language is also required.
An updated version of the GSU list can be found here.
Undergraduate studies

Completion of secondary education at advanced level, equivalent to passing the exam at the end of Norwegian secondary school, is the general basic requirement for entry to Norwegian universities and university colleges. For students from some countries at least one year of completed studies at the university level is required in addition.
Please check the GSU-list for detailed information regarding additional requirements for your country.
Some study programmes have special admission requirements, usually relating to specialist subjects or fields of study from secondary school. Please check with the institution for information about these special qualifications.
Masters programmesAdmission requirements are decided by each university and university college based on an academic evaluation of the applicants.
Applicants for Masters programmes have normally obtained an undergraduate/Bachelor's degree or equivalent of at least 3 years' duration. The degree must include courses equal to at least 1 1/2 years of full-time studies in a subject relevant to that of the programme applied for.
In special cases, the first (and sometimes the second) year of study at a foreign higher education institution will not be recognised as higher education in Norway.