Recognition of Prior Learning

Department of Academic Affairs

General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)

Library books Photo: Josie Teurlings

How do I get external courses approved?
If you are admitted as a program student at the bachelor or master level approval of credits earned at other educational institutions as part of a UMB degree program is possible, even if the credits were earned prior to admission. According to chapter 16 of the Study Regulations, students can be granted credit for equivalent courses taken at other universities if approved by the education committee at the relevant department. In order to get external courses approved the following application must be submitted along with certified copies of relevant transcripts, in some case course descriptions might be required.

Application for Acceptance of External Courses/Credit

Approval of external courses is not possible prior to admission to a degree program. However, you may discuss your particular situation with the study coordinator for the relevant program prior to admission.

Bachelor degree requirements: how many external credits are allowed?
To be awarded a bachelor's degree a student must have taken course exams amounting to a study load of at least 60 credits at UMB. Courses totalling a study load of up to 30 credits, taken at a foreign university or college as part of a student exchange agreement with UMB, can be included in the required 60 credits mentioned above. The same applies for courses taken in relevant subjects at another Norwegian university or college, with which UMB has entered into a mutual cooperation agreement.

At least 60 of the credits included in the bachelor's degree must not already be part of a previously obtained degree or professional training. Together with or in addition to the previously taken courses, the new courses must result in the new degree having a different academic focus than the previous degree. In other words, the new degree must have at least 80 credits within the student's specialisation, or at least 120 credits taken in programme-defined courses, within another subject area than covered by the previous degree's main subject area.

The above information is taken in part from the following regulations:
Regulations for awarding the Bachelor's degree at UMB

Master degree requirements: how many external credits are allowed?
In order to be awarded a master’s degree diploma by UMB, a student must have taken course exams amounting to a study load of at least 60 credits at UMB. The master's thesis must be included in the 60 credits. Courses totalling a study load of up to 30 credits, taken at a foreign university or college as part of a student exchange agreement with UMB, can be included in the required 60 credits mentioned above. The same applies for courses taken in relevant subjects at another Norwegian university or college, with which UMB has entered into a mutual cooperation agreement.
At least 60 of the credits included in the master's degree must not already be part of a previously obtained degree or professional training. In case of multiple degrees, it is required that the new master's thesis shall be included in the 60 new credits required in addition to the previously earned degree.

The above information is taken in part from the following regulations:
Regulations for awarding the Master's Degree at UMB

Experience-based Master’s Degree
Currently there are only two experienced-based master's offered at UMB. Both of these are in conjunction with businesses located in Norway and limited to employees from the organizations. More information about these programs, can be obtained from the Centre for Continuing Education at UMB.

There are no other arrangements possible for recognition of informal or non-formal prior learning.

Published: 09.11.11
Updated: 11.11.11
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