University of Bergen
MAUI-Utrecht Network Exchange Program
This program is part of the MAUI-Utrecht Exchange and is open to students
from member institutions only. Interested students should contact their
local study abroad coordinator regarding the application/placement process
and for additional information. Application deadlines for all MAUI-Utrecht
programs, including fall semester, winter semester, or academic year
abroad, is in February. Spring semester placements may be available
after the deadline: contact the Study Abroad Coordinator.
Bergen is a city of about 240,000 inhabitants, situated on the mountainous western coast of Norway. A striking feature to many newcomers is the city's abundance of green parks, tree lined streets and lakes and its spectacular setting between the mountains and the sea. The winter is relatively mild for a location at 60 degrees N latitude, with only short and rare periods of cold spells. Skiing conditions in Bergen are therefore unreliable, but the nearby mountains offer stable snow conditions within easy reach. The city lies at the entrance to the fjords, one of the major geographical tourist attractions in Norway.
Bergen is the administrative and educational centre of Western Norway. The city has a remarkably dynamic cultural life. The close connections between the composer Edvard Grieg and the city have contributed to an active involvement in music, and the city has a symphony orchestra of high international standard. The Bergen International Music Festival, held each year at the end of May, is of real importance. Many famous orchestras, ballet companies and theatre ensembles have participated over the years. The theatre where Henrik Ibsen was once director lies in the heart of the city. The city sports a wide variety of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants, offering specialties from all over the world.
The University of Bergen is located at the top of a hill in the centre of the city. Its history dates back to 1825, to the Bergen Museum, which lies at the central university campus. The University itself is young, established in 1946.
There are seven faculties: The Faculty of Arts (HF fak.), the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Mat. Nat. fak.), the Faculty of Social Sciences (SV fak.), the Faculty of Law (Jur. fak.), the Faculty of Psychology (Psyk. fak.), the Faculty of Medicine (Med. fak.) and the Faculty of Dentistry (Odont. fak.). Five of the faculties, the University library and the administrative offices are located at the central campus.
The University of Bergen is a medium sized European university, with more than 16,000 students and approx. 2,500 employees.
Language Requirements
As a rule, the language of instruction at the University of Bergen is Norwegian. There are, however, significant exceptions to this: There are a number of courses in the Scandinavian Area Studies Programme (SAS) and in several other departments which are taught in English. In addition, there are around 40 Master's degree programmes taught in English. Regular Norwegian students follow most of their courses taught in Norwegian and very often read their textbooks in English.
| Full name of university | University of Bergen |
| Number of MAUI students you can accept during 2009/2010 (indicate total number of semesters) |
Unlimited number. |
| Areas of study open for MAUI students (list explicitly) |
All areas except medicine |
| Areas of study restricted to prior bilateral agreements between the exchanging departments or faculties | None |
| Areasof study not available to MAUI students | Medicine |
| Utrecht Network contact person (name, full address, phone/fax/email) |
Helge Bjørlo International Student Mobility, UA University of Bergen Tel.: +47 55 58 92 41 P.O. Box 7800 Fax: +47 55 58 90 25 N-5020 Bergen E-mail: helge.bjorlo@ua.uib.no |
| Contact person for incoming students (name, full address, phone/fax/e-mail) | Marte Nørve Årvik |
| General web site of the university | www.uib.no |
| Web site of the international office/information web site for incoming students | This site is currently under construction. Go to the general web site of the university. |
| Academic calendar | First semester: August to December (10.08.2008 – 18.12.2008) Second semester: January to June (5.1.2010 – 19.06.2010) |
| Examination period(s) | Autumn Semester: end of November/early December Spring Semester: end of May/early June |
| Orientation session(s) for incoming students (indicate date and costs) |
First semester: week 33 (for the introductory week) Second semester: 5. and 6. January |
| ECTS available (list fields if not all) |
Yes |
| Application deadline(s) for admission | 15 May for Fall Semester 15 October for Spring Semester |
| Application material on the web site or paper copies only. | On website |
| Course registration deadline(s) | Deadlines for semester and course registrations are: Fall Semester: 1 September Spring Semester: 1 February |
| Language requirements | English |
| Language test certificate requirements (if so, which and when : before admission, upon arrival) |
None |
| Preparatory language course for incoming students (indicate dates and costs) |
Yes, Norwegian course if wanted |
| Courses taught in English | The web site for this information is under construction. Go to www.uib.no |
| Internships available | No |
| Student employment | Part-time positions up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time positions between university semesters. |
| Housing assistance (indicate how to apply) |
Application same as for admission |
| Housing Options | Student accommodation |
| Housing application deadline(s) | 15 May for Fall Semester 15 October for Spring Semester |
| Cost estimates per month (in EURO) Housing Meals Books Local Transportation Health Insurance |
300 200 75 40 |
| Additional fees to pay (indicate amounts and subjects) |
|
| Comparable health insurance coverage from abroad allowed/not allowed | Allowed. |
| Health facilities at the university | No, but nearly all expenses for Medical consultations and hospitalisation are covered by Norwegian Health Security |
| Other relevant information | International students are recommended to have a medical insurance on arrival. |
| Summer courses available? Please list | |
| Last update of this information | January 2009 |