Carlson School Exchange in Norway: BI Norwegian Business School
Undergraduate Global ImmersionProgram Dates:
The academic calendar at BI will differ from the University of Minnesota and all exchange students are expected to be at their host campus on the first day of orientation and through the last day of final exams.
Fall Semester 2025:
- Orientation Week : August 8, 2025
- Semester Start: August 18, 2025
- Semester End: November 21, 2025
- Exam period: November 21 - December 19, 2025
Spring Semester 2026:
- Orientation Week: January 5, 2026
- Semester Start: January 5, 2026
- Semester End: April 24, 2026
- Exam period: April 27 - June 17, 2026
The priority deadline for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 is February 3rd, 2025 at noon.
Program Details
- Successful exchange students demonstrate a high degree of independence, adaptability, and flexibility because support and services will be different from a US university
- You are enrolled as an exchange student at a host university and take business courses in English
- You take courses with students from the host university as well as other exchange students from around the world
- You attend the host university according to their term dates which differ from the University of Minnesota
- A small group of Carlson students are selected to study at each partner university per semester and are fully immersed in another country, culture, and education system
- You will work closely with both Carlson School advisers and advisers from the host university for support pre-departure and during your semester abroad
What is a Business Exchange Program?
- BI Norwegian Business School is an internationally recognized and accredited private institution located in Oslo, the capital of Norway. I is one of Europe's largest and most productive academic environments in the areas of business, economics, marketing, finance, and management.
- Oslo offers a great variety of activities and scenery, from the throbbing city life full of cafes, restaurants, galleries, and shopping centers to outdoor activities in the mountains and woods.
- Oslo has more than 600,000 inhabitants, making the city big enough to benefit from everything a big city has to offer, but small enough to be a safe place to live
- The Carlson Global Institute strongly encourages students to live in the on-campus housing options as those are affiliated with and vetted by the partner institutions.
- Students should check the host university website and fact sheet for specific accommodations information including on-campus and off-campus options, application process and deadline, and cost information.
- BI offers a housing guarantee for international students who apply by the deadline.
- There are 2 options through the guaranteed housing option: BSN, which offers a limited number of rooms but is close to the city centre and campus; or SiO, which is near a lake and forest, but slightly further from campus.
- Rooms are either two room apartments or private rooms with shared or private bathroom and kitchen. The type of housing varies according to price.
- Students on exchange programs take a full semester course load at their host university (12 UMN credits/semester, unless the host university credit requirement is higher).
- Courses from exchange partners transfer back as transfer credit on the official UMN transcript. Transfer credit does not affect overall GPA.
- Business courses taught in English are available to exchange students.
- BI offers basic Norwegian language courses to international students each semester. Held in the evening to avoid conflicts. Not apart of BI's curriculum and participants are not awarded any credit.
- Students participating in CGI semester exchange programs are strongly encouraged to enroll in the 1-credit Global Identity course for business students. This course helps you to develop your intercultural skills and articulate the value of your experience to future employers. It offers an additional layer of support through one-on-one interactions with your instructor that complements the independent structure of the exchange program.
- For information about specific courses available to exchange students please meet with an adviser.
- No host country language skills required
- Preferred minimum GPA of 3.0
- Students are held to business course prerequisites of the host institution
- CGI strongly recommends that students completed both semesters of I-CORE prior to participating on a business exchange, although it is not required. For students who want to participate on a business semester exchange prior to completing both I-CORE semesters:
- Students pursuing a Marketing, MIS, or ACCT major need to have completed MAROON I-CORE prior to participating on a business semester exchange
- Students pursuing a Finance, Entre, SCO, or HRIR major need to have completed GOLD I-CORE prior to participating on a business semester exchange
- Although not required, we encourage students to complete some more major courses prior to participating on a business exchange. Students should plan closely with their academic advisers prior to participating on a business semester exchange.
- The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
- All Carlson students are responsible for obtaining a passport before they participate on a study abroad program
- All students participating on an exchange program will be responsible for obtaining a visa or residence permit if required by their host country. The Carlson Global Institute does not process visa applications for students participating on exchange programs
- The Carlson Global Institute and the host university will provide resources for visa and residence permit applications if necessary, but students will need to work with the consulate and/or visa processing company directly as well
- Visa and passport requirements are always subject to change by the host country and students are expected to check with the consulate for up-to-date information
To apply for an exchange program you must first apply through the Carlson Global Institute on the Apply page. Students must use their UMN email address when creating their application account. You will be charged a $50 application fee. The priority deadline for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 is February 3rd, 2025 at noon. Applications for programs that do not fill by the priority deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis until full. Applications will be reviewed and students will be informed of their status within 6 weeks of the priority deadline. Once accepted into an exchange program, you will also complete an application to the host university.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships. Please visit "Financial Aid" and "Scholarships" for more information.
Cost
Expenses are based on a 5 month semester. These estimates will vary based on student preference and exchange rates. All details subject to change based on economic and international factors. Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad programs. Students should also maintain their U.S.-based health insurance plan while abroad. Visa and passport costs are subject to change. Please verify current documentation costs with the host country consulate. Carlson School tuition costs based on rates for MN residents registered for 12+ credits.
The Program Fee includes program administration costs, maintaining student status at the UMN for the exchange semester, and international travel, health and security insurance.
| Estimated Expenses 2024-2025 | Global Immersion Exchange (CGI Semester) | UMTC On-Campus Costs (Carlson Semester) |
| Carlson School MN Resident Tuition (charged to UMN student account) | $7,574 | $7,574 |
| Carlson School Tuition Surcharge (charged to UMN student account) | $1,360 | $1,360 |
| Program Fee (charged to UMN student account) | $2,500 | N/A |
| On-Campus Fees | N/A | $1,288 |
| One credit online UMN Global Identity Course (optional) (charged to UMN student account) | $200 | N/A |
| Airfare (to and from program site) | $1,200 | N/A |
| Passport Fee | $165 | N/A |
| Visa Fee (based on US passport) | $625 | N/A |
| Books and Materials | $200 | $500 |
| Housing & Food | $4,000 | $6,514 |
| Essential Daily Living Expenses | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $500 | N/A |
| Total Program Cost | $20,224 | $18,650 |
| Program Incremental Cost (additional cost for studying abroad vs. staying on-campus for a semester) | $1,574 ($20,224 - $18,650) | - |