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  • Nordic Master in Friluftsliv Studies
Friluftsliv Studies (Outdoor Studies)

Nordic Master in Friluftsliv Studies (Outdoor Studies)

Bø and Other locations - Full time

The Nordic Master in Friluftsliv Studies gives you the option to study people’s nature-culture relations in three Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden and Iceland. It gives you the knowledge you need to contribute to adventurous explorations, environmental learning, active living and well-being. 

Study facts

  • Progression of study: Full time
  • Campus: Bø and Other locations
  • Teaching model: Off Campus and On Campus
  • Application code: 6124/6169
  • Study level: Master's degree
  • Credits: 120
  • Closing dates: Expired
  • Start up: Autumn 2022
  • Teaching Language: English
  • Semesters: 4
  • Amount of students: 20

Why Nordic Master in Friluftsliv Studies?

We offer you two years of high quality, cross-border and cross-disciplinary studies in the cultures and practices of Nordic Friluftsliv. The study leads to a joint master’s degree and a joint master’s diploma. You get to live and experience the diversity and similarities in the outdoors in three Scandinavian countries.

The programme is designed to start in the fall of 2020, with the first of (at least) three cohorts of international students.

What kind of job do you get?

With a Master in Friluftsliv Studies, students can:

  • take employment in the private, civic or public sectors
  • work as a manager or administrator in (eco-)tourism, health promotion, recreation, management
  • teach in nature and green areas
  • take jobs in the education sector, such as in kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, folk high schools or boarding schools, if combined with at bachelor's degree from a teachers’ education or another formal teacher certificate
  • take jobs in higher education, if combined with the further studies for PhD degrees

Working with local business communities

Students are encouraged to write their master's thesis in cooperation with or on behalf of external actors in one of the collaborating countries or in the North Atlantic Region. 

What will you learn

Through the programme you will examine the problems and potentials related to the changes relevant to friluftsliv studies past, present and future.

You will also gain the skills in dealing with current and impending research of sustainable and healthy learning and development.

You will learn to work systematically and critically with research-based knowledge, methods and concepts in order to understand and develop new knowledge about how humans relate to, conceptualize and make sense of nature and friluftsliv (outdoor studies).

Further study opportunities

Students who graduate from this programme can apply on available PhD programmes in culture studies or similar fields of research.

Studying in three countries: Norway, Sweden and Iceland

The Nordic Master in Friluftsliv Studies is run collaboratively by a consortium of four Nordic universities, each of which is recognized as a nationally leading university in the field of Friluftsliv/Outdoor studies. 

You will spend the first semester at The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), Stockholm. Second semester at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) at campus Bø in Vestfold and Telemark county, in cooperation with the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH), Oslo. Third semester at Hólar University (HU), Department of rural tourism. 

The Nordic council of Ministers supports the program.

Useful links

Click the elements below for a list of links concerning the different countries and institutions.

Norway (USN and NIH){{ icon }}

  • How to get to Campus Bø
  • What is the cost of living in Norway?
  • How do I find accommodation?
  • Find available scholarships and grants
  • Rules and regulations
  • Norwegian School of Sport Science (NIH) – Practical information

Iceland (Hólar){{ icon }}

  • Hólar University
  • Living in Hólar (.pdf)
  • Study in Iceland
  • Cost of living in Iceland (.pdf)

Sweden (GIH){{ icon }}

  • ​​The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) – Nordic Master in Friluftsliv Studies
  • How to apply for a residence permit for studies in higher education
  • Study in Sweden

Tuition fees

The Consortium has decided on a joint policy that the students must follow at this moment.

National students, EU, EEA and Swiss students do not pay tuition fees in public higher education institutions in the Nordic countries.

  • In Sweden, third-country students pay tuition fees. The fee is at present SEK 100000 per semester at GIH.
  • At Hólar University, students do not pay tuition fees, but an annual registration fee of ISK 75000 (about 550 Euros or 5570NOK).
  • Studies are still tuition-free in Norway, but all students pay a semester fee (approximately NOK 1000 per semester) for services provided by the “Studentsamskipnaden” (student welfare organisation). There is also a rather large deposit for the student permit application.

These costs will be covered by the individual students admitted.

Course plan

Download course plans (.pdf).

Get international experience

You can take parts of Friluftsliv Studies (Outdoor Studies) abroad. Studying or taking an internship abroad can give you the opportunity to expand your international competence, language skills, personal qualities and adaptability. It can also make you more attractive in the job market. We have agreements with foreign universities, colleges and internships adapted to your studies.

  • Exchange for Outdoor Studies

Study Plan

A study plan describes the content, structure and organization of a study programme. To each study plan there is a set of subject plans that describes the different subjects. In the subject plan you will also find a reading list. Below you will find a study model that shows you which subjects that are taught each term. In the study model you'll also find links to each subject plan.

Study plan for 2022 autumn

Admission requirements

The programme requires a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) which includes a minimum 30 ECTS within outdoor related studies with focus on education, recreation, nature sports, health, tourism, nature management, environmental studies or equivalent courses.

You must also fulfil the English requirements, and have a cumulative grade point average equivalent to, or better than, a C in the ECTS system (we do the grade conversion). Up to 50% of the places may be reserved for student from within the EU and Nordic countries.

Not a Nordic applicant? Please read all the information about the admission process before you apply.

Any questions?

  • Christian Kjuus
    Studieveileder
    Christian Kjuus
    +47 35 95 29 87
  • Kirsten Wielandt Houe
    Fagansvarlig
    Kirsten Wielandt Houe
    +47 35 95 27 57
  • Department of admission
    Inquiries regarding admission
    Department of admission

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