About this programme
Outdoor Studies (friluftsliv) One Year is a One-year Programme programme at Nord University in Bodø, taught in English. It runs for 1 year and carries 60 ECTS credits. The register gives Levanger as the campus town. It lists the degree as One-year programme. Nord University is a state university in Nordland.
What you will study
This one-year programme at Nord University in Levanger gives you a practical and theoretical grounding in friluftsliv, the Norwegian way of life outdoors. You will spend time on activities like climbing, kayaking, canoeing and skiing, and learn how to plan and lead them safely for different groups.
What you study
The programme covers both the doing and the thinking behind outdoor life. You will gain knowledge of relevant outdoor activities, risk and safety, and national and international research in the field. You will also look at outdoor education, activity guiding, and how to use outdoor activities as educational tools, including group processes.
Theory includes environmental philosophy, the history and traditions of outdoor life, and the role of friluftsliv in Norwegian society. Sustainability is part of this: you will learn to minimise your footprint by leaving areas as you found them and respecting wildlife and plants. Skills include mastering techniques in climbing, kayaking/canoeing and skiing, and being able to communicate them to participants. You will also learn to plan, implement and assess outdoor activities for relevant target groups, and to ensure safety for yourself and others.
How the programme is organised
Teaching is both theoretical and practical. The programme's distinctiveness requires the use of various practical learning arenas, so you must expect costs for transport to various sports facilities within Levanger municipality. The faculty has arrangements for reimbursement of transport costs. You need your own hiking and camping gear for travelling and overnighting in the mountains. For winter travel, a spade and mountain skis with steel edges are required. Having a tent, primus and cooking equipment will be an advantage. There is also a semester fee and copy fee.
Who it suits
This programme suits you if you want to work with people outdoors, whether in schools, kindergartens, folk high schools, preventive health care, rehabilitation, friluftsliv organisations, travel and tourism, or nature management. It is also a good fit if you are considering further study in sport or physical education, or want to combine it with a practical pedagogical course to teach friluftsliv in the Norwegian school system.
Admission, language and next steps
The admission requirement is the Higher Education Entrance Qualification. The programme is taught in English. If you are an international student, you apply through Nord University's local admission, not through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (Samordna opptak). Exchange students from partner institutions apply for the semester packages in Outdoor studies (autumn and spring) and must be nominated by their home institution first. It is also possible to apply for admission to the courses as a single-course, but admission is restricted. Check the programme page for application deadlines and the application system. Students travelling to Norway must have valid health insurance for the entire stay.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Kindergarten
- Primary and secondary school
- School camping and folk high school
- Preventive health care and rehabilitation
- Friluftsliv organisations
- Travel and tourism
- Nature and friluftsliv management
Before you apply
Nord University sets the entry requirements and the application route for this programme, so follow the steps on its programme page. The institution lists its deadline as: Nordic applicants: April 15 EU applicants: April 15 Non-EU applicants: December 1. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Outdoor Studies (friluftsliv) One Year taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Nord University. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 1 year of study and 60 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Levanger as the campus town for this programme at Nord University.
How do I apply?
Nord University sets the entry requirements and the application route for this one-year programme. Read the steps on the programme page before you apply.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. As Nord University lists it: Nordic applicants: April 15 EU applicants: April 15 Non-EU applicants: December 1. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Nord University.
What does it cost?
Nord University gives this wording for the tuition: Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not pay tuition fees at Nord University. For information about tuition fees for students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, including current rates, please visit our website. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at Nord University is linked from this page so you can compare.