University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a public research university in Bergen, on Norway's west coast. Most of the campus and administration sit in the Nygård neighbourhood, which people usually just call Høyden, the hill. It is Norway's second-oldest university and one of the country's four "established universities", the group that by law can offer degrees such as medicine and law.

The university was set up by an act of parliament in 1946, pulling together scientific institutions that go back much further. Bergen Museum, founded in 1825, was a base for research and teaching in the natural sciences, and academic activity in the city reaches back to the cathedral school of 1153. The university has an elected rector and seven faculties, the newest being Fine Art, Music and Design, formed from the Grieg Academy and the Bergen Academy of Art and Design. The University Museum and the library have faculty-like status.

Teaching is organised by faculty, and the university describes three strategic areas: marine research, climate and energy transition, and global challenges. It is known for the natural sciences, especially marine and climate research, and it takes part in the University of the Arctic network and its north2north exchange programme.

The Study in Norway list shows 20 English-taught degree programmes here, all at Master's level. Subjects on the list include sustainable development, biomedical science, industrial design, humanities and theology, energy and renewable engineering, fine arts, French language, development studies, medicine and health sciences, linguistics, music, philosophy, social sciences and psychology, and petroleum engineering.

For an international student, applications go through the institution's own system. 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. Everyone joins the student organisation Sammen Bergen, which covers welfare services through a semester fee.