The program consists of six introductory courses and three advanced emphasis courses and an elective section consisting of 90 credits. The aim of the foundation courses about the Circumpolar North is to provide a broad introduction to different issues affecting the Northern areas and living conditions. The core and the advanced emphasis courses are all offered in English and have been designed for online/ distance teaching or on site teaching. The elective section of 90 credits can be made up by courses of your own choice. If you are doing other programmes, you can use credits from this program for the elective part of Northern Studies.

Objectives

• To provide knowledge and understanding of environmental issues, sustainable development, politics and social conditions in the Circumpolar North.

• To provide knowledge of the human history and living conditions in the Northern areas, with a special focus on indigenous peoples of the north.

• To provide knowledge for community and regional development

Core courses

We can offer you the following introductory courses, each on 10 credits:

• BNS 100 X An Introduction to the Circumpolar World (Spring and Autumn term)

• BNS 110 X Land and environment of the Circumpolar World (Spring term)

• BNS 121 X Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World I (Autumn term)

• BNS 122 X Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World II ( Spring term)

• BNS 131 X Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar World I (Autumn term)

• BNS 132 X Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar World II (Spring term)

Advanced emphasis courses
‘Managment of Local and Regional Development’

(30 credits, spring semester):

• Regional Economics and Innovation

• Community Governance and Development

• Natural Resource Based Businesses and Industries

 Optional advanced Emphasis programs:

• Arctic Governance - autumn semester- University of Lapland, Rovianemi.

• Northern Scandinavian Politics and Societies, autumn semester, Bodø University College, Bodø

• Circumpolar Ecosystems, resource Use and Management, spring semester, University of Tromsø.

You may also apply for a n2n scholarship to do the advanced emphases courses. The one offered by Bodø University College may also be taken online.

Progress

Semester start for the online courses will be on September 1st for the Autumn semester and January the 20th for the Spring semester. The core courses are taught by making use of an internet based teaching program, Classfronter, and all of the exams are carried out online. The advanced emphasis courses at Finnmark University College are offered as on-site taught courses included excursions. These courses are only offered in the spring semester.

Location

Finnmark University College has close to 2000 students and is located in Alta

Municipality in Northern Norway. Although the city is located north of the Polar Circle, the climate is relatively mild thanks to the Gulf Stream bringing temperate air from the South Atlantic. This part of Norway is known for its amazing natural beauty, offering excellent possibilities for outdoor recreation and experiences of a lifetime. Finnmark University College is known for its excellent learning environment and its variety of student activities. Student accommodation is located close to campus, and is guaranteed to foreign students. International students are served by our International Office, which will assist with practicalities and in making your stay an interesting and a pleasant one.

Internationalisation

The Bachelor of Northern Studies degree program is an international program with close links to other universities and colleges within the University of the Arctic, the networking organization for northern universities, colleges and research institutions.

Admission requirements

General competence for admission to higher education is required.

Finnmark University College charges NO tuition fee, only a minor fee for registration.

International students from the networking universities of University of the Arctic who register for the distant teaching courses will not have to pay this fee.

Finnmark University College

Department of Business and Public Administration

Follumsvei 31

N-9509 Alta

Tlf. +47 78 45 05 00

Fax +47 78 43 44 38

e-mail: postmottak@hifm.no

Coordinator:

Per Møller

Tel: +47 784 50232

E-mail: per.moeller@hifm.no

Internet resources: www.hifm.no/regional, www.uarctic.org