– It’s been great to mix with a bunch of different cultures and learn new things from everyone.
Blake Witham
Read the interviewArctic Nature Guide - one year programme
Application deadline
- Nordic applicants: 15 April
- EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 1 March
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 November
Photo: Tommy Hansen
About the study
Ready to become an Arctic Nature Guide and spend a year in Svalbard? Develop the practical skills and knowledge you need to guide safely and responsibly in the Arctic, with a focus on nature, safety and sustainable guiding. Study alongside an international student group, experienced teachers and guide companies, with Svalbard as your learning environment.
What will you learn?
The program provides broad theoretical and practical knowledge for safe travel and guiding in Arctic nature, including leadership, hostmanship, and experience-based tourism. Students gain insight into Arctic nature, culture and history, and develop skills in safety routines, group leadership, and communication of values and experiences. The program fosters awareness of the responsibilities and competencies required of nature guides, encouraging reflection on personal values and the guide’s role as an ambassador for sustainable interaction with the vulnerable Arctic environment.
The study program is according to the profession standard defined by the Norwegian Nature Guide Association (NNGA). By fulfilling the study program and complete the required amount of nature guide work experience, the candidates are in a position of becoming members of NNGA and an approved Arctic Nature Guide and International Mountain Leader (UIMLA) by the Norwegian Nature Guide Association.
Student life
What can you become?
Future employment opportunities may be found primarily in guiding activities in the Arctic region. After completing the study programme, students will have gained expertise that will be relevant for employment on the mainland in outdoor recreation, tourism, education, culture and environmental hostmanship, as well as in voluntary organizations.
Programme structure
How is the teaching organized?
The study programme is based in Svalbard and offered in cooperation with UNIS – The University Centre in Svalbard.
You alternate between theoretical teaching, practical exercises and guided activities in nature. A large part of the study takes place in nature and includes practical exercises and the development of experience. Guide role experience will be obtained through a practical training period in guide companies.
You are expected to spend an average of 40 hours per week on your studies. Attendance in teaching is mandatory, and you are expected to participate actively in scheduled classes and practical activities.
This study programme requires compulsory attendance to the introductory meeting. See this web page for more information.
Language of instruction
English.
Programme structure
See the subjects you can take in this study programStudy plan
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
- Higher Education Entrance Qualification*
- Document a valid driving licence, category B (passenger car, etc.) or S (snowmobile). Both sides of the physical licence are required. We do not accept digital licences.
- Relevant work experience or practical experience.
*Applicants through the non-EU/EEA (application code: 2063) and EU/EEA + Swiss (application code: 9013) admissions are exempt from the Norwegian language proficiency requirement.
Relevant work experience for admission to the Arctic Nature Guide programme is:
- Work experience as a nature guide, equivalent to a minimum 6-month full time/100%, or
- Work experience as an outdoor leader or teacher, or as an officer, equivalent to a minimum 6-month full time/100%
Relevant practical experience from an active arctic outdoor life or education in arctic outdoor life can replace eventual lack of work experience. E.g., volunteer as instructor in winter sport or outdoor life, participation in expeditions or organized outdoor activity, experience as glacier- or climbing instructor.
All work experience must be documented with a valid employment reference. It must contain the following:
- Period of employment,
- Extent of position (in either percentage or weekly hours),
- It must be dated, signed, and stamped (a business logo can replace the stamp) by the employer.
Relevant practical experience must be documented with a valid testimonial from a participant of the expedition and/or trip. It must include the dates of starting and ending of the activity and the weekly hours of the activity. It must be dated and signed. A CV or motivational letter is not valid documentation of relevant practical experience.
Admission capacity
15
Citizenship
Some of the courses in the program are offered by UNIS (The University center of Svalbard). To be admitted to the program, applicants must satisfy UNIS's requirement for citizenship. Applicants from countries without security policy cooperation with Norway will not be admitted.
You will find more information about international admission here.
Non-EU students must be prepared to pay tuition fees.
The programme starts on 4 August 2027.
Do you have any questions?
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