BERGEN
Bergen, Norway's second largest city, has 220.000
inhabitants and is situated on the mountainous west coast of
Norway. The city has a long history in shipping, fishing and
trade, and was an important Hanseatic trading centre in the
early Middle Ages. Bergen has a vibrant cultural life and
offers a range of activities, including concerts, theatres,
modern dance, cinemas, museums and art-galleries. Bergen has
about 25.000 students and has a good student environment.
Bergen is also a good place for various sports activities.
The climate is mild and humid. Bergen is easily reached by
either plane, ship or rail.
THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Bergen is a medium-sized European
university with 17.200 students and a staff of 2.300. There
are 850 full-time teaching positions, and 450 assistant
researchers are currently engaged in doctoral work. There
are 7 schools, or faculties, at the University. The
University Library (UB) has a collection of more than one
million volumes, including books and periodicals, and is
open to all students. The Library has a reading room.
THE NORWEGIAN EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM
At the Faculty of Arts, students normally follow series of
lectures or courses in one single department at a time. The
undergraduate degree, Cand.Mag., consists of at least 3
different subjects in addition to compulsory foundation
courses. There are examinations in the subjects at the level
of "delfag" (1 semester), "grunnfag" (2 semesters),
"mellomfag" (3 semesters), and "hovedfag" (4 semesters after
"mellomfag", leading up to the Cand. Philol. graduate
degree).
DEGREES AT THE FACULTY OF
ARTS
1st degree CAND. MAG.: 3,5 - 4 years
2nd degree CAND. PHILOL.: 2 years
Doctoral Degree DR. ART.: 3 years
For more details on the educational system, see the brochure "Your Guide".
THE PROGRAMMES
A. Language courses for foreign students
Preparatory courses: Level 1-3. Each course consists of
a minimum of six hours of instruction per week for 14 weeks.
Intensive courses covering 2 levels in one semester, are
offered occasionally.
For exchange students with no previous knowledge of Norwegian, the University offers a two-week Introductory Course on Norwegian Language and Society, starting early January and early August each year.
B. Advanced courses for foreign students
Writing proficiency - "skrivekurs" (no credits)
"Delfag" for foreign students (1 semester):
Norwegian language, literature and culture for foreign students. (Delfag i norsk språk, litteratur og kultur for fremmedspråklige studenter).
C. Scandinavian (Nordic) languages and literature
Foreign students also have the opportunity to follow
lectures in Scandinavian Language and Literature at the
levels of "grunnfag", "mellomfag" and "hovedfag".
D. Courses in English for foreign students
1. Norwegian Language
2. Norwegian Literature
These courses represent one half semester of study each. For more details see the brochure "Scandinavian Area Studies".
ACADEMIC
YEAR/REGISTRATION
Autumn semester:
20 August - 20 December (examination period from the middle
of November to the middle of December)
Spring semester:
15 January - 15 June (examination period from the middle of
May to the middle of June)
Guest students should register with the Foreign Students Office upon arrival in Bergen. Deadlines for semester registration and registration for examinations are:
Autumn semester: 15 September
Spring semester: 1 March
STUDENT FACILITIES/SOCIAL
LIFE
There are athletics facilities on the ground floor of
the Student Centre on the University campus and at Fantoft
Studentby, where students can participate in individual
training or team sports. There are also a wide variety of
societies and organisations at the University where students
can get together to cultivate social or cultural interests.
ACCOMMODATION
Erasmus exchange students are guaranteed a room at one
of the student hostels owned by the Student Welfare
Organisation, provided they apply before 10 November for the
spring semester and 15 June for the autumn semester.
RESIDENCE
PERMIT/INSURANCE
A student staying in Norway for a maximum of three
months, needs only to be in possession of a valid passport.
A residence permit for a longer stay may be applied for upon
arrival in Bergen or at the nearest Norwegian Embassy or
Consulate General.
A foreign student who registers at the University of Bergen and pays the semester fee is automatically a member of the local branch of the National Health Insurance Scheme, if his/her stay in Norway exceeds three months. The national health insurance covers regular medical consultations, except for a nominal fee to be paid by the patient. This fee will, however, be refunded for registered students. For more details see "Your Guide".
DETAILED BROCHURES, ADDRESSES
AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
YOUR GUIDE - practical information for visiting
students.
SAS - Scandinavian Area Studies - information about courses for foreign students with lectures in English.
NORSK SPRÅK OG KULTUR - information about courses in Norwegian language and literature for foreign students.
DEPARTMENT OF SCANDINAVIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Prof. Pål Bjørby
(Co-ordinator, The Bergen Network)
Tel. +47 55 58 24 05
Fax +47 55 59 96 60
e-mail: paal.bjorby@nor.uib.no
INTERNASJONALT KONTOR
(Office of International Relations)
Muséplass 2
N-5020 BERGEN
Tel. +47 55 58 49 80
Fax. +47 55 58 49 81
Department Office
HF- bygget
Sydnesplass 9
N-5020 BERGEN
Tel. +47 55 58 24 00
Fax +47 55 58 96 60
KONTORET FOR UTENLANDSKE STUDENTER
(Office for Foreign Students)
Langesgt. 3
N-5020 BERGEN
Tel. +47 55 58 90 22
Fax +47 55 32 04 45
International Liasons Officer
Stian Hofslett Thowsen
Tel. +47 55 58 24 01
Fax. +47 55 58 96 60
e-mail: stian.thowsen@nor.uib.no