Exchange: General information

As a student at AHO you can exchange up to two semesters to one of our more than 50 partner institutions.

AHO has exchange agreements with around 50 different educational institutions. Most of these belong in the Erasmus+ and Nordplus programs. Additionally, we have independent bilateral exchange agreements with educational institutions in countries outside Europe. A prerequisite for exchange is that the exchange studies are incorporable to the program you are enrolled in at AHO, not causing delay. Furthermore, exchange students are exempt from paying tuition fees to partner schools in the exchange network.

Who can go on exchange?

For students who have completed their 3 year base studies at AHO:

Master students of Architecture can exchange in their 7th, 8th and 9th semester (1st, 2nd and 3rd semester of master levels)
Master students of Design can exchange in their 7th or 8th semester (1st and 2nd semester of master levels)

For students who enrol at AHO on master levels:

Master students of Architecture can exchange in their 2nd or 3rd semester of master levels.
Master students of Design can exchange in their 2nd semester og master levels.
Master students of Landscape architecture can exchange in their 3rd semester of master levels.

How do I apply?

Complete the application form within the deadline. You can list up to three of AHO’s partner institutions in prioritized order. If you are nominated by AHO for exchange, your application will be forwarded to the partner institution. You will receive further information about the application procedure shortly after the internal deadline. Academic Services will guide you through the application process, and act as a link between you and the foreign institution.

NB: Remember to attach your portfolio to your application form.

When is the deadline?

For autumn semester or full academic year: 1. February
For spring semester: 15. September

Selection process

All applicants must submit their portfolio as part of the application. These are reviewed by the respective departments, which reserve the right to reject applications.
The number of students admissible to each partner institution is specified in the respective exchange agreements. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places, AHO will make a selection amongst the internal applicants. In this case, the applicants’ prioritized order of institutions will be taken into account.

Portfolio

Architecture:
The portfolio is assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Knowledge of and sensitivity to various aspects of architectural studies
- Space
- Tectonics
- Functionality
- Range of scales (interior to urban)
Quality and variety of representation skills:
- Technical drawings
- Diagrams, Graphs, Map
- 3D illustrations / Renderings / Axonometry
- Physical and digital modelling
Portfolio structure
- Extent
- Clarity
- Development

Guidelines for the portfolio:

Portfolios should contain a minimum of 5 university works, maximum 10

1-2 projects can be added which are not university works, e.g. office work experience, self-initiated projects
Start with one of your best projects, and end with another of your best projects
Portfolios should contain short, descriptive texts (context, project period and your role in it, which semester, teacher)
Make clear which works are collaborative and which are individual
Use one page per project, 2-3 pages on your best projects, include process photos
Distinguish clearly between projects, by starting a new page or otherwise. Layout, air, typography, hierarchy of information and composition should make It easy to get an overview
PDF format, landscape oriented layout
Preferably a website in addition
Attach CV as part of the portfolio

Design:

Portfolios should contain a minimum of 5 student works, maximum 10
1-2 project can be added which are not student works, if desired
Start with one of your best projects, and end with another of your best projects
Portfolio should contain short, descriptive texts (context, project period and your role in it, when in the study program it was conceived)
Make clear which works are collaborative and which are individual
Use one page per project, 2-3 pages on your best projects, include process photos
Distinguish clearly between projects, by starting a new page or otherwise. Layout, air, typography, hierarchy of information and composition should make It easy to get an overview
PDF format, landscape oriented layout. Preferably a website in addition
Attach CV in A4 portrait format, separate from portfolioIndependent Guest studies

Financing

Students who exchange through the Erasmus or Nordplus programs will receive an Erasmus or Nordplus scholarship.

Accommodation abroad

AHO’s partner institutions will in most cases assist in finding accommodation for incoming exchange students. Some institutions order a room for you. Others provide you with a list of possible hosts.

Visa and residence permit

If you hold a residence permit in Norway, you are entitled to stay in any Schengen-country for three months without having to apply for visa. The local police authorities and/or the international office at your host institution will inform you how to register for a student’s residence permit for a longer period

Depending on your nationality, different requirements apply for visa and residence permit in countries outside Schengen. Contact the international office at the host institution and/or the embassy of the host country in Norway for information on how to apply.

Insurance

Remember to consider your safety abroad; travel insurance, theft insurance, health insurance etc. Read more about insurance here.

When you study in another Nordic country, you are covered by the social insurance in the country where you are residing. Read more at The Nordic Social Insurance Portal.

Independent Guest studies

Please contact AHO's international coordinator exchange-students@aho.no for guest studies that are not part of AHO's network of agreement

Language Courses

In many of the countries where AHO has exchange agreements, e.g. France and Germany, lectures are mainly given in native language, and only to a small extend in English. If you are going on exchange in a country where you do not know the language, you are advised to study the local language prior to the start of the semester abroad. You may either follow a language course in Norway before you go, or find an intensive course in the city to which you are heading. Some partner institutions offer language courses for incoming exchange students a few weeks before the start of the studies, or during the semester. Norwegian citizens and others eligible for support from The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund may apply for a scholarship for preparatory language courses.

Please do also note that some partner institutions may demand documentation of language skills as part of the application for exchange studies.

English tests

If the institution you are planning to exchange to demand documentation of knowledge of English, it could be a good idea to order a TOEFL- or IELTS-test well ahead of the application deadline. These tests are accepted by academic institutions throughout the world.

Other resources

ANSA – Association of Norwegian Students Abroad ANSA is a non-profit and independent organisation voicing the interests of Norwegian students who study abroad. Non-Norwegian citizens can obtaine membership while registered as students with residence permit in Norway. ANSA provides guidance and supervision throughout your stay abroad, and offer insurance and banking solutions specially designed for Norwegian students abroad

Archi-Students – portal for european students of architecture
Nordic Academy of Architecture - Architectural education in the Nordic and Baltic countries
CIRRUS - design education in the Nordic and baltic countries
Cumulus - international association of universities and colleges of art, design and media
EAAE – European Association for Architectural Education
Erasmus Student Network - international organization for Erasmus students
Erasmus Norway on Facebook
Campus France – tips and inspiration for studies in France
German Academic Exchange Service - tips and inspiration for studies in Germany
PLOTEUS - The European Commission's portal to studies in Europe
Study in Europe - the EU profiling portal for education in Europe
Fulbright - scholarships for studies in the USA
Valle - scholarships for studies at University of Washington, Seattle (Nordic/Baltic citizens