University of Agder

The University of Agder is a state university with campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad, in the Agder region of southern Norway. It is a public institution, owned by the Ministry of Education and Research, and its register name is Universitetet i Agder. Both campuses sit some distance outside the city centres, along the E18.

The idea of a university in Agder is old. In 1771 Bishop Johann Ernst Gunnerus proposed placing a new Norwegian university in Kristiansand, though the plan was dropped and Norway's first university went to Christiania in 1811. Smaller colleges grew across the region instead, starting with a teacher training college at Holt in 1839, one of the oldest higher education institutions in Norway. Others followed: a nursing college in Arendal, a music conservatory, a regional technical college and more. These six public regional colleges merged in 1994 to form Agder University College, which became a full university in 2007.

The university has six faculties plus its own unit for teacher education, and teacher training is organised across disciplines. The School of Business and Law holds AACSB accreditation. Teaching and research are grouped under business and law, social sciences, fine arts (including music), health and sport sciences, humanities and education, and engineering and science, with engineering and ICT based in Grimstad. The university belongs to the University of the Arctic and takes part in its north2north mobility programme.

The Study in Norway list, run by HK-dir, shows 22 English-taught degree programmes here: 4 at bachelor's level and 18 at master's level. Subjects on the list include Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Mechatronics Engineering, Structural Engineering, Energy and Renewable Engineering, Sustainable Development, Ecology, Mathematics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Area Studies, Humanities and Theology, Music and Sports Science. NOKUT categorises the institution as a university.

For an international student, applications go through the university's own system, so check its website for deadlines and document requirements. Students from outside the EU/EEA need a study permit from UDI. EU/EEA and Swiss students are normally exempt from tuition at state institutions, while other degree students pay an institutional fee. Student life is organised: at Kristiansand the main building runs from the wandering hall by the entrance to the canteen, with the library, cafés, a book store and the largest lecture halls along that axis. Sports clubs KSI and GSI run football, handball, basketball, volleyball, martial arts and more, and there are orchestras, choirs and societies tied to the different programmes.