Do you want to combine university studies with your elite commitment to cross-country skiing or biathlon?
Nord University in Meråker, Norway, offers a unique opportunity to combine an elite dedication to endurance sports in parallel with your university education. There, you can achieve the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in 3-4 years. The course is adapted so that you can combine your elite efforts in cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ski mountaineering.
And there are places still left for the autumn courses. The offer is open to and adapted to active athletes and coaches in cross-country skiing and biathlon.
READ MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATION OFFER AND HOW TO APPLY HERE
What about training?
Five training sessions are organized weekly, and you get your personal coach who follows you up and helps you achieve your sports goals.
Meråker is home to 160 elite cross-country skiers, biathletes, and ski mountaineering athletes. Twelve full-time coaches and leaders lead the training. In addition, an active research environment is run, which ensures that our staff stays up to date in the practical and theoretical subjects of the program.
Our students have achieved high results in national and international competitions. Among our former students are Emil Iversen, Martin Sundby, Tora Berger, Even Northug, Kathrine Harsem, Eldar Rønning, Niklas Dyrhaug, Selina Gasparin, Laurien van der Graaf, Marthe Kristoffersen, Tor Arne Hetland, and Marte Skaanes.
Ten good reasons why you, as an elite athlete in cross-country skiing or biathlon, should choose Meråker for your studies:
The coaches – With us, you can share the knowledge of our respected and well-educated coaches. For example, ask Stig Rune Kveen about Petter Northug’s training; talk to Tora Berger or Frode Estil about their path to the world elite. Or discuss mental training with Ove Erik Tronnvoll. You can also take advantage of the knowledge from one of the world’s leading cross-country skiing and biathlon research groups.
The snow – At our facilities in Meråker, you can train on prepared tracks six months a year. This is primarily thanks to the artificial snow system, which creates the conditions for a very long season.
The facilities – at our facilities, there are two roller ski tracks and three shooting ranges for the biathletes. Our track network is approximately 100 kilometers. Here you will also find the fabled bogs that Trøndelag is so famous/notorious for and which build the skier’s endurance. In addition, there are rooms for strength training, athletics track, alpine facility, sports halls, indoor running track (in the football hall), indoor electronic shooting range, three orienteering maps, rehab room, treadmills, and ergometer bikes.
Combine elite sports and studies – In Meråker, we have a unique and specially adapted study plan over eight years where the training for our elite athletes is integrated into the everyday study.
The world’s best development environment – We have one of the country’s most extensive elite cross-country skiing and biathlon environments. With so many elite athletes aged 16-24, we are a powerhouse in developing the next generation of athletes. All athletes who come here are equally important to us, we work systematically and seriously with everyone, and the goal is for you to reach your potential.
Knowledge – In Meråker, you meet committed coaches who are well-updated on the latest research and relevant knowledge. We collaborate with leading research environments, and our daily work consists of translating this knowledge to the athletes through training talks, short informative meetings, and briefings before training sessions.
Tests and control of your development – We have access to a modern test laboratory where most of our students are tested and do technical analysis 2-3 times a year. Here we have all the equipment to test the athlete, both running and roller skiing. This is done to individualize the training plan, to see where strengths and weaknesses exist, and to ensure quality development.
Long-term – We want to conduct training using a sustainable model and adhere to the national associations’ development ladder. There, we have been involved in the development, with the background of our philosophy, for the last 40 years.
Continuity – We are here every day. We have been for 40 years, regardless of who is in charge or what teams pop up here and there. We work daily to ensure that you get a good training plan and focus on keeping you healthy to have continuity in your training.
Your CV – Our goal is to give you a good foundation for further studies and career, and we want to teach you the values and attitudes you need to reach your full potential.