WHAT IS THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NORWAY
American College of Norway is part of the U.S. university system and offers curriculum in English. Study abroad at ACN for a semester, the academic year and/or the summer program.
Since 1992, the American College of Norway (ACN) has provided a study abroad opportunity to Americans and other international students, bringing them together with Norwegian peers to take courses toward their U.S. bachelor’s degree. ACN is part of the American university system and offers curriculum in English taught by American faculty. The schedule and academic calendar follow the typical U.S. system as well. Because our study abroad students are comfortable with this form of education, other cultural differences are then exciting and not overwhelming.
“In the 25-year [now 28] long partnership, over 2,000 students and more than 80 American faculty have been favorably impacted. This is one of the most successful and enduring educational partnerships in all of Norway.” Kåre R. Aas, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ambassador to the United States
WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS?
Americans and international students make up about 25% of the student body. There are only 70 students admitted to the program each year so students get to know their classmates and enjoy the intimate environment. They attend ACN to study abroad and experience a different culture and the daily excitement of living in Norway.
See admission requirements for international students >
In ACN’s living/learning community, students learn not only from their instructors, but also each other. This is part of the unique program which helps create the best fit for everyone.
Norwegian students choose to start their bachelor’s degree at ACN to gain one-year of an American university education before heading to the U.S. to complete their degrees. After successful completion of the program, Norwegian students transfer to one of ACN’s cooperative partners and other U.S. universities.
Students at all academic levels are welcomed and encouraged to apply to study abroad at ACN. Each year freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors attend our program from universities all over the United States.
“The American College of Norway provides a great opportunity for students looking to study abroad. As a freshman, it has given me the chance to have an experience abroad while taking care of my general classes before I get deep into a major. The small classes and many activities present the chance to really get to know professors, staff and other students well.” Conrad Pederson, Study Abroad Student Spring 2018
Academics & tuition
The best study abroad programs are the ones that give students an intimate insight into a country’s people and culture while also providing useful university credit that will help progress their education. If you want to study abroad in Norway, look no further because the American College of Norway (ACN) does just that!
WHAT CAN YOU STUDY AT ACN?
Courses for the coming semesters
When students study abroad in Norway at ACN, students take U.S. university courses that easily transfer to any U.S. university. ACN’s school of record is the University of North Dakota (UND) and all courses are pre-approved and transcripted by UND – making it very easy for U.S. university students wanting to study abroad in Norway at ACN, to transfer their credits completed abroad back to their home university.
One of the exciting aspects ACN’s study abroad program is how vibrant it is! The course offering does not stay the same year after year and this is because the American College of Norway has the pleasure of welcoming new and enthusiastic faculty from top U.S. universities every semester.
ACN offers a wide variety of courses which fit into the general education requirements or electives at U.S. universities. The courses offered each semester will be based off of the expertise of the visiting faculty. Upcoming course listings are usually available well in advance of the start of new semesters.
Admission Requirements:
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
We accept up to 50 students each year. The majority of ACN students are Norwegian and many of them apply to ACN immediately after high school graduation. International students can apply for fall, spring or summer semesters.
Admission requirements:
● A high school diploma
● Students already enrolled at a university must be in good academic standing
● You must fill out our online application and send in the relevant documents before the deadline
● Your application must include an essay that answers the question “Why am I interested in this educational opportunity?”
International students may be required to provide proof of English proficiency and a WES authentication of academic transcripts. If we require additional documentation, you will be notified shortly after submitting your application.
Deadline for application for fall semester is May 1st.
Deadline for the spring semester is October 15th.
Deadline for summer school applications is March 15th.
Please note that ACN has rolling admission.
Note that Norwegian visa requirements apply. To view requirements please click here and fill in relevant information.
We advise you to allow plenty of time for your visa application. It can take months after submitting your documents to the police, an embassy, consulate or a Visa Application Centre to receive an answer to your Visa application.
Learn more about admissions for Norwegian students here.
Partner universities
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Would you like to know more about our partner universities? Contact us here, we are happy to answer any questions related to the study or other things you may wonder about.
Housing & Budgeting
TUITION
Tuition is NOK 50 000 per semester for full-time students (approx USD 4,780, (exchange rate as of May, 2024. Tuition for the ACN Summer School differs.
HOUSING COSTS
Living on campus lets you make the most of your university experience. It is a great way to be near your classes and fellow students and is the most convenient housing option for ACN students.
Student housing is available and costs between NOK 41 000 – 42 000 per semester (approx USD 4,000 – 4,100 exchange rate as of March 2023). The rent includes electricity and internet. Contact ACN if you would like more information about courses or cost of attending.
Note that if the exchange rate changes dramatically, we will adjust this and students will either get money back or we will charge the difference.
ACN ON-CAMPUS APARTMENTS
The apartments are just short walk from the school. Each unit contains 2 bedrooms, shared bathroom, and a kitchen/living area. The building has room for 36 students. The apartments are furnished with: beds, closets, desk/chair, dining table/chairs, fridge/freezer, stove, and washing machine. Students must bring their own bedding for a 90 cm bed and their own kitchen equipment. Electricity is included in the rent. Internet is installed in each apartment and the cost is also included in the rent.
A housing deposit of NOK 3 000 (approx USD 300, exchange rate as of March 2023) for international students staying one semester, must be paid before you move in to confirm your room. Housing deposit for a school year is NOK 4 000 (approx. USD 400). Information about the housing deposit will be sent out with the housing assignments. The deposit is refundable upon successful check-out when the rental period is over.
Budgeting
Svalbard
Every Spring we organize an arctic adventure to Svalbard as part of a travel course. Since its inaugural trip in 2016, more than 60 ACN students have traveled to Svalbard - Norway’s farthest northern territory and one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas - for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The expedition is an opportunity to discover a unique part of the Arctic during a five-day trip, and has been a major highlight of the year for many students in the past.
During the course students get to take part in both academic activities, but are also encouraged to experience the arctic in their own time through hikes, dog sledding, ice cave exploration, snowmobiling,and even arctic plunges.
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STUDENT LIFE IN NORWAY AT ACN
If you're looking for a study abroad program that is welcoming, inclusive, not to mention exciting, the American College of Norway is the place to be! Read more about student life in Norway and ACN below!
ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
ACN knows the importance of cultural exchange through study abroad programs and works hard to provide an active and engaging community for all students. Student life in Norway and at ACN is exciting! And with our hands on approach., students are offered many opportunities to get involved on-campus.
During our welcome activities and throughout the year, students can enjoy paintball, BBQs, movie marathons, Homecoming Week, Spring Formal, Thanksgiving, Halloween, ice skating, bowling, and much more!
In addition, if you are looking to get involved on campus, students are offered the opportunity to join the Activities Committee where they have weekly meetings to plan, prepare and execute monthly events on campus with our Activities Coordinator. In addition to helping create an active campus life, ACN students have participated in several service projects, helped at community events and have created events for the community. ACN will help you to get involved!
travel courses
NO CLASSES ON FRIDAY
If you’re looking for a program that offers a wide variety of travel opportunities, ACN might just be the right study abroad program for you!
Travel is encouraged at ACN and with classes scheduled from Monday through Thursday, every weekend is a three-day weekend! Scheduling classes this way allows study abroad students to be engaged and present in their classes, while giving them enough time to explore Norway and the rest of Europe. Additionally, ACN has a week-long break during fall semester (fall break) and spring semester (winter break). During these breaks, students can plan longer trips.
Airfare in Europe on charter airlines is inexpensive and with airports located just north and west of Moss, the rest of Europe is at your fingertips. You can also connect to other cities in Norway and Europe from the local train station. ACN’s experienced and knowledgeable staff are a great resource for travel tips and recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
With no classes scheduled on Friday, ACN staff frequently plan excursions in the area and day trips to Oslo. ACN has ventured to local art galleries and cafes to Oslo’s many museums and famous landmarks.
MOSS, NORWAY
The American College of Norway has been located in Moss, Norway since its inaugural year. Having a program like ACN in a town such as Moss helps create a sense of community for our students, faculty and staff. And with classes housed in one building and on-campus residence halls just up the street, students truly get to know one another. This environment helps create a tight-knit, living-learning community where everyone has a sense of belonging.
ACN is located in Moss, Norway, a charming, friendly coastal town located on the Oslo Fjord with all the benefits of a large city, but with a small-town feel. Moss is only a 40 minute train ride from Oslo, Norway’s capital. From the local train station, a short walk from campus, you can make easy connections to cities in Norway, Sweden, and beyond! Additionally, the Norwegian coastline, “skjærgård,” is all around you!
Since the Middle Ages Moss has been an industrial city. In 1720 it was given city status (that’s older than the U.S.!). The inhabitants were mainly farmers who were drawn to the city because of its great location in the middle of the Oslo Fjord (as well as in-between Oslo and Sweden). Today Moss has approximately 30,000 inhabitants. In the neighboring municipalities there are 25,000 people who use Moss for shopping and leisure activities.
Moss is considered one of Norway’s cultural cities. If you are interested in art it is strongly suggested that you visit Galleri F15 on Alby, which is one of the leading art galleries in Norway. Downtown there is also an art gallery called Moss Kunstgalleri. Since the 1970’s Moss has carried the nickname the “city of rock”. Naturally, this has affected the culture. On weekends there are often bands from all over Scandinavia. At the end of summer, Moss hosts Festivalen Sin, a large-scale music festival frequented by famous Norwegian artists. Every year, Moss also hosts a festival for contemporary art called NonStop. This goes on for over a month with theater, films, live bands and so on. Moss also has a new movie theater in Møllebyen, a very short walk from our school.
If you wish to go out to eat there are many possibilities. Greek, Thai, Chinese, Norwegian and so on, the choice is yours. If you feel like a night out on the town, Moss has many pubs, bars and clubs to choose from. If you want to see a concert, musical acts often perform in Moss or nearby Oslo. The shopping possibilities consist of many different grocery, clothing, music hardware and drug stores. There are two major malls in Moss, they are called AMFI Senteret and Mosseporten. Besides the malls, there are many other specialty stores downtown.
The Moss region is also famous for its beaches. You can enjoy the sunshine and the water virtually undisturbed. In addition to the Oslo Fjord, Moss has a nearby lake called Vansjø, and on the east side there is a large forest area called Mossemarka.
One of the most exciting parts of the city is Jeløy, Moss’ famous island, with its lava formations, originating from a volcanic eruption. The local climate, geology and soils create conditions for agriculture, forestry and biological diversity. The island has some rare and protected species.
To read more about Moss, Norway and the Østfold region, click here!
? FAQ
About ACN and studying in Norway
Where is this school / campus located?
What is the start date for this program?
What is the duration of this program?
I don't speak Norwegian. Will it be difficult to attend ACN?
Is Norway a safe place to live?
Applying to ACN
Is there an application fee?
What is the admission process to ACN?
When is the application deadline for this program?
Do I need a student visa to study at ACN?
How do I apply for a student visa?
Academics
What majors and programs does ACN offer?
What courses are offered at ACN?
Is this program offered part-time or full-time?
In what language is this program taught?
Can I learn Norwegian while studying at ACN?
Finances
How much does this program cost?
What other funding options do you have for this program?
Campus life
Do you offer student housing?
Is there Wi-Fi on campus?
What events and activities are organized on campus?
Can I choose my roommate?
Is a meal plan available?
After ACN
After ACN - where can I study in the United States?
What does it cost to attend university in the US?
Can I transfer ACN courses/credits elsewhere?
Will Norwegian universities accept ACN as the 13th year?
Can I study in Norway after ACN?
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NORWAY NOW!
Send the application that can give you an unforgettable year.
Staff
Krista Lauritzen
Krista Lauritzen is the Executive Director of the American College of Norway, a position she has held since the college’s founding in 1991. She is from Two Harbors, Minnesota and has her higher education from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN. While in college she participated in an exchange program at the University of Trondheim and is committed to helping students to study abroad!
Siv Lønningdal
Siv is the Office & Accounting Manager. She is from Os in the western part of Norway, but has lived in the area since 1974. She has been with ACN since 1993 and is likely the first person you will meet here. She handles the college’s finances and assists with information about such things as rent and student tuition payments.
Tonje Kristiansen
Tonje is the Marketing & Event coordinator at ACN. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Event Management at the University of Winchester, and her Master’s degree in Tourism Studies from the Arctic University of Norway. Tonje grew up in Moss and is passionate about making sure students explore the town, and she is always looking for opportunities for students to engage authentically with the local community.
Heidi Benjaminson
Heidi is the Academic Advisor. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from ACN’s partner school, University of North Dakota and spent half of her junior year studying abroad at ACN, where she met her husband, a Norwegian ACN student. After graduation, they lived and worked in Norway for a few years before moving to Scotland where she earned a Master of Science in Education focusing on international education and study abroad. Heidi spent nearly a decade in Brisbane, Australia working with inbound and outbound international students before moving back to Norway.
Colin Solaas
Colin is the Resident Assistant at the on-campus dorms. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He started his college education at ACN in 1999 and has taught accounting classes here.
Faculty
Michael Nitz
ACN FACULTY SUMMER 2024
Michael Nitz is Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Augustana University (SD). He has over 25 years of international higher education experience in the areas of PR and strategic communication. He has been a Fulbright Scholar in Germany and this is his 2nd time teaching at American College of Norway. He has led almost a dozen courses on strategic communication in Norway and Central Europe. At Augustana, he also is Coordinator of Norwegian Programs which establishes and maintains academic partnerships with Norway. His two daughters are alums of Skarmyra School in Moss. Professor Nitz highly recommends students study in Norway for a like always like never before experience.
Dr. Robin Smith
ACN FACULTY SPRING 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and SUMMER 2024
Robin Smith is a femme, queer, writer & scholar originally from Northern California. Robin is the author of the chapbook “Confessions of a Love Addict” (Dancing Girl Press, 2020) and two full length collections Love Glut (Rebel Satori Press 2021) and Willow Abuelo & Me (UND ProQuest 2023). She is the winner of the Academy of American Poets Prize and the Katherine B. Tiffany Award, among others. Her work has appeared in By & By poetry review, Aji Literary Magazine, Visual Artists Collective, Zoetic Press, Red Ogre, Westwind, Legendary Review, PACIFICReview among many others.
Robin Smith is a femme, queer, writer & scholar originally from Northern California. Robin is the author of the chapbook “Confessions of a Love Addict” (Dancing Girl Press, 2020) and two full length collections Love Glut (Rebel Satori Press 2021) and Willow Abuelo & Me (UND ProQuest 2023). She is the winner of the Academy of American Poets Prize and the Katherine B. Tiffany Award, among others. Her work has appeared in By & By poetry review, Aji Literary Magazine, Visual Artists Collective, Zoetic Press, Red Ogre, Westwind, Legendary Review, PACIFICReview among many others. Her work has also been featured in anthologies such as Bliss and Drawn to Comics. She was the lead poetry editor for the Northridge Review, and is an associate editor for Voicemail Poems. Robin Smith was the judge of the 2019 Rachel Sherman award for up and coming poets. She received her B.A and M.A in Creative Writing (poetry) from California State Northridge and recently graduated the University of North Dakota where she received her Phd in Creative Writing and Literature. Robin currently lives in Norway where she teaches Composition for the American College of Norway. She is a huge fan of Taco Bell and was proudly rejected by Taco Bell Quarterly this year and she also loves literary gossip and trash TV.
ACN’s world-class faculty bring their extensive knowledge and experience to the classroom.
Meet them here:
Student advice from the Class of 23/24
The Class of 23/24 survival guide and tips to make the most out of your student experience while at ACN.
"Through the wilderness - over beautiful blue ice, and along mountaintops." Svalbard 2024
We just can't stop talking about the 2024 trip to Svalbard! Check out these new student perspectives from the trip!
"I have never seen anything like Svalbard." - Travel blog 2024
Every Spring students at ACN are allowed to go to Svalbard as part of a one-week travel course. Read about the 2024 trip here!
CONTACT US
Any questions about studying with us?
Contact us, we will help you as fast as we can.