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General Information
Accommodation
The student hostels in Tromsø are owned by the Student Welfare Organization (SWO). All hostels offers high standard single rooms. Each room is partly furnished and has a desk, a chair, a bed and cable TV-connection. The rooms share some common facilities; kitchen, bathrooms, toilets, storage rooms and laundry. The SWO provides hardware items in the kitchen: refrigerator, cooker, dining table, chairs, etc.
All international students who have applied within the application deadlines, are given the opportunity to reserve a single room in a student hostel if they get admission to the University of Tromsø. The student hostel reservation form is sent out with the Letter of admission and should be returned to the SWO within the deadline. Students who apply for admission after the deadlines or do not return the reservation form in due time, cannot expect to get accommodation.
For additional information please contact the SWO:
The Student Welfare Organisation («Studentsamskipnaden»)
Breivika Senter,
N-9037 TROMSØ
http://www.sito.uit.no/
E- mail: irene.kvello@sito.uit.no
Telephone: +47 77 60 77 30 or + 47 77 60 77 32/33
Office hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (weekends closed)
Student Residence Permit
EU/EEA citizens who are staying in Tromsø for more than 3 months must apply for a Student Residence Permit to the local Police Office in Tromsø within 3 months upon arrival. When applying the students are expected to enclose their Letter of Admission.
Citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA must apply for a Student residence permit to the nearest Norwegian Consulate in their home country. This requires a Letter of Admission, confirmed accommodation and documentation of financial basis for the study residence. According to the rules set by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, a student must document having at least NOK 80.000 at his or her disposal, before a student residence permit is issued. The application procedure may take 2–3 months.
For additional information please contact the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.
Insurance
It is the student's own responsibility to make insurance arrangements for any accident, illness, injury, loss or damage to persons or property resulting from, or in any way connected with, the study period in Norway.
Any student staying less than 3 months in Norway must have insurance from his or her home country.
EU/EEA citizens studying for less than 12 months must bring a valid E-111 or E-128 certificate from their home countries, which entitles them to medical care under the Norwegian National Health Scheme. If a student from an EU country does not have one of these certificates (because of private insurance for example), he or she will have to pay the full medical expenses up front and be reimbursed later by his or her insurance company.
Citizens from other parts of the world studying in Norway for 3 - 12 months may apply for voluntary membership in the Norwegian National Health Scheme upon arrival in Norway. A fee may be charged dependant upon income.
Any student studying in Norway for more than 12 months will automatically become a member of the Norwegian National Health Scheme once he or she is registered with the Norwegian Population Registry (Folkeregister).
Dental care is not covered by the Norwegian National Health Scheme and is very expensive. It is advised that students attempt, as far as possible, to take care of any such needs in their home countries before travelling to Norway.
Health Check
Students from countries other than the EU/EAA, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan must undergo a TB test and chest X-ray upon arrival in Norway.
Facilities for special needs students
In order to assure equal access for students with all types of disabilities, the University of Tromsø has a network of contact persons for special needs students. The contact persons provide students with information and assistance and are located at all faculties and larger departments. The list of the contact persons is here
The Learning Environment Committee (Norwegian pages) has a special responsibility to assure that the university’s strategic plans, such as The Action Plan for Special Needs Student (Norwegian pages) is followed up.
The campus is accessible for wheelchair users and has ample parking for students with special needs. Most of the buildings on campus are modern well-equipped for special needs students with automatic doors and elevators.
The Department of academic affairs is responsible for assuring good examination conditions for students with disabilities. Please see Chapter 5 (sections 25-30) of the Examination regulations for further details about how to apply for special accommodation during examinations.
Getting here
By plane
Unless you travel from the northern parts of Sweden, Russia or Finland the easiest and cheapest way of coming to Tromsø is by plane.
There are daily flights to Tromsø from Oslo Airport Gardermoen. Tromsø Airport Langnes is located on the Island of Tromsø, five minutes' drive from the University campus. From the airport you can take the airport shuttle (“Flybussen”) or taxi to the town centre.
By train
Tromsø does not have a railway station. The nearest railway connection is in Narvik, 250 kilometres south of Tromsø.
Tourist information: Destinasjon Tromsø
Climate and Clothing
Tromsø is situated above the polar circle, but has a relatively mild arctic climate thanks to the Gulf Stream and its coastal surroundings. There are four seasons in Tromsø: Spring; Summer; Autumn; and Winter. Spring (March, April, May) temperatures range from –8C° to 20C°, with an average of 2C°. It is not uncommon to still have snow in May and the early spring season is the most popular time of the year for skiing and winter activities in the mountains around Tromsø. Although cool, the spring season is marked by increasingly long sunny days leading up to the period of Midnight Sun. From May 21 to July 21 the sun does not set below the horizon.
Summer (June, July, August) temperatures range from 2C° to 25C°, with an average of 10C°. The summer season can be wet, but 24 hours of daylight and the Midnight Sun make the sunny days something very special.
Autumn (September, October, November) temperatures range from –9C° to 18C° with an average of 4C°. There is high precipitation (mostly rain) during this period and decreasing light. The sun does not rise above the horizon from November 21 to January 21. During the dark period there are a few hours of grey lighting, or twilight, in the middle of the day and when the weather is good it gets quite light.
Winter (December, January, February) temperatures vary from –12C° to 9C° with an average of –2C°. There is usually a large amount of snow and slush during this period and the season for outdoor winter activities like skiing and skating usually starts in November with lighted ski trails and floodlit slalom slopes. In wintertime Tromsø is one of the places on earth with the greatest amount of Northern lights activity.
If you are unable to bring the clothing from your home country, it is important that you have the financial means to buy suitable clothing for the different seasons.
We recommend that you bring or buy: a waterproof/windproof jacket, wool sweater(s), warm scarf, gloves, hat, warm long underwear (wool) or tights, and most importantly warm/waterproof boots.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Norway is relatively high. As a general guideline, the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund estimates that the total monthly expenditure for students is NOK 8000 (including housing). Students should be prepared to pay at least NOK 2300 per month for furnished student accommodation, including heat and electricity. Costs for food, recreation and travel vary from student to student according to habits and priority.
Example of a modest budget for one semester:
| Housing: | NOK 11 500 |
| Food: | NOK 12 500 |
| Books and academic supplies: | NOK 5 000 |
| Transportation: | NOK 2 250 |
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| Total (5 months) | NOK 31 250 |
Students staying in Tromsø for a Degree programme must be prepared to use a substantial amount of money for setting up their household and for buying suitable clothing for the Norwegian climate.
Examples of the approximate cost (in NOK) of certain common items and entertainment are:
| 12 eggs | 20-25 | 1/4 kg coffee | 10-12 |
| 1 litre milk | 10 | 20 cigarettes | 60 |
| Bread | 10-18 | bottle of beer (shop) | 10-15 |
| ½ kg cheese | 40 | ½ litre beer at a pub | 30-50 |
| 1 kg chicken | 60 | monthly bus card | 450 |
| 1 kg fish | 60-99 | dinner at a restaurant | 100-300 |
| ½ kg ground beef | 35 | ticket to the cinema | 65-75 |
| 1 kg bananas | 17 | ticket to a concert | 140-260 |
| 1 kg potatoes | 10-15 | | |
Meals
The Student Welfare Organization runs 9 student cafeterias on campus. All sells sandwiches, salads, cold dishes, chocolate, coffee, tea and soft drinks. In two of the cafeterias warm meals and dinner are also available. Vegetarian dishes are made on request.
By Norwegian standards prices are quite reasonable (se price examples below). Many Norwegian students still follow the tradition of bringing their lunch from home, and the majority of students prepare their own dinners at home. The student hostels have no cafeterias, but the kitchen facilities (see accommodation) provide good opportunities for cooking.
Price examples:
| Dinner | 40 - 55 NOK |
| Coffee/Tea | 7 NOK |
| Soft drinks | 16 NOK |
| Sandwich | 25 NOK |
| Salad | 30 NOK |
Opening hours:
| Cold meal cafeterias | 09.00 - 15.00 |
| Dinner cafeterias | 09.00 - 18.00 |
Financing of Studies
Tuition fees
In Norway higher education is considered a public good free of charge to any person that meets academic standards. In accordance with this principle the University of Tromsø does not charge tuition fees.
Student affairs office
The Department of academic affairs (DAA) is the Student affairs office at the University of Tromsø. Students can turn to the DAA for information, admission, registration, examination, recognition of education from abroad, student mobility, and other related services. DAA has special advisors for international students and special needs students
Contact details
Department of Academic affairs
University of Tromsø
9037 Tromsø
Tel: + 47 776 44000
Fax: +47 776 44900
E-mail: international@adm.uit.no
Scholarships and Loans
Exchange students
Exchange students are not entitled to financial support from Norwegian authorities or from the University of Tromsø. If their home university has an exchange agreement with UoT within a scholarship programme (e.g. Erasmus, Nordplus/Nordlys, North2North) exchange students may apply for scholarships from their home institution.
Guest students
Guest students are self-financing free movers who are not entitled to financial support from Norwegian authorities or from the University of Tromsø. According to rules set by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration guest students from non- EU countries must document having at least NOK 80 000 at his or her disposal per academic year before a student residence permit is issued.
Self-financing Master's Degree students
Self-financing students are not entitled to financial support from the University of Tromsø or Norwegian Authorities. According to rules set by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration students of this category must document having at least NOK 80 000 at his or her disposal per academic year before a student residence permit is issued.
QUOTA students
QUOTA scholarships are granted in a very limited number to students of certain English Master's Degree Programmes and PhD studies, and are restricted to applicants from certain countries.The amount granted is 80 000 NOK per academic year. The QUOTA scholarship is granted for a period of 2 (Master's Degree students) or 3 (PhD students) academic years. Some of the travel expenses will also be covered, and additional support for fieldwork may be granted.
NORAD students
NORAD scholarships are granted in a very limited number to students of certain English Master's Degree Programmes, and are restricted to applicants from certain countries. The amount granted is 80 000 NOK per academic year. The NORAD scholarship is granted for a period of 2 academic years. Travel expenses will also be covered, and additional support for fieldwork will be granted.
Regular students
Regular students can apply for loan and scholarship from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund ("Statens lånekasse"). For full time studies the maximum amount is 80 000 NOK per academic year (10 months). Up to 40% of the total amount is given as a scholarship/grant, and at least 60% is a loan that must be paid back. For further details, please visit the homepage of the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund
Sources for searching for scholarships:
The Research Council of Norway
The Barentsplus Programme
The Nordic Grant Scheme
Study Facilities
The University of Tromsø has all the facilities modern academic studies requires: libraries, PC labs with internet access, photo-copiers and an academic bookstore – all located on a compact campus area. In order to get access to the libraries and the pc’s a student ID card is required.
The relatively small number of students and the democratic culture of Norwegian higher education provides good opportunities for discussions, supervision and informal contact with professors and academic staff. An extensive Introductory programme held at the beginning of each semester introduces all new foreign students to every aspect of university life in Tromsø.
Student Counselling Centre
The Student Counselling Centre, administered by the Student Welfare Office, provides a counselling service for Norwegian and foreign students on campus. Experienced professionals are available to help students cope with the personal and practical challenges of student life.
Studying far from home in a foreign country can be particularly challenging. The counsellors for foreign students are available to assist with matters concerning the national health insurance scheme, public services, economy, or any problem of a practical or personal nature that may arise during the foreign student’s stay in Norway. They can be reached by phone at +47 77 64 45 96 / +47 77 64 53 23, or email: catherine.cooke@sito.uit.no; anemarih@nfh.uit.no. Office hours are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Counselling Centre is located in the basement of the Social Science Faculty Building.
Student Organizations
The University of Tromsø is well known for its student democracy and hosts a number of student organizations. The most important organizations are:
The Student Board
The Student Board is the official body representing the students at UoT. Its 25 members (all students) come from political student organizations (50 %) and from the faculties (50%). The International Students Union and the Sámi Studeanttaid Searvi Romssas (see below) hold one chair each. All members of the Student Board are elected for a period of one year. Elections are held in the autumn semester. Students of all categories have the right to vote. The Student Board elects its own President and executive committee and is also responsible for electing the 2 student members of the University Board.
Student Board homepage (only in Norwegian)
International Student Union (ISU)
ISU is an organization run for and by international students at UoT. All international students can participate in the activities of the ISU, ranging from parties to organized trips and sports, and they have the right to vote in its general assembly. The general assembly is held each semester and elects a President and an executive board. ISU holds one permanent chair in the Student Board.
ISU homepage
Sámi Studeanttaid Searvi Romssas (SSSR)
SSSR is the organisation for Sámi students at UoT. The aim of the SSSR is to work for the rights of Sámi students and to encourage research and studies on Sámi issues. Membership is open to any Sámi student and costs 100 NOK per academic year.
All members have the right to vote in the general assembly held each autumn. The general assembly elects the SSSR President and executive committee. SSSR holds one permanent chair in the Student Board and is also represented in the board of the University Centre for Sámi Studies.
SSSR home pages (pages in Sámi and Norwegian)
Links to political student organizations
Extra-mural
Student life in Tromsø is, of course, more than studies. A variety of activities and associations run for and by students provides great opportunities for sport and leisure. Some of the most popular are:
Tromsø Student Athletic club (TSI)
TSI is the student athletic club. It is organized in 14 different activity groups – ranging from football, volleyball and handball to martial arts and dancing. Many of the activities are taking place in the modern student sport centre on campus, called Kraft (see below). Nearly 1300 members make TSI one of the biggest athletic clubs in Northern Norway.
TSI homepage (only in Norwegian)
Kraft – Student Sport Centre
Kraft is the student sport centre on campus run by the Student Welfare Organization. The centre includes a full size handball pitch, a climbing wall, and a gym. Apart from housing many of the activities of the Tromsø students athletic club, Kraft offers its own members aerobics, spinning, climbing and workout. Membership for one semester costs 800 NOK (+ 300 NOK for climbing).
Kraft homepage (only in Norwegian)
Utropia
Utropia is the student newspaper, covering all aspects of student life in Tromsø. Utropia is published bimonthly during the academic year. Utropia is also published online. Prospective journalists, photographers etc. are welcome to contact the editorial office on campus.
Utropia homepage (only in Norwegian)
Driv
Driv is a student house downtown Tromsø owned by the Student Welfare Organization and run by students from UoT and Tromsø University College. The house has stages for concerts, a café, two bars and several rooms for student activities. Driv is a popular place for parties, film screenings, discussions of politics and art – but is also a perfect place just to hang out with friends. Volunteers are welcome.
Driv homepage (only in Norwegian)
Studentsamfunnet
Studentsamfunnet is an association organizing various student activities on and off campus. Membership costs 100 NOK per academic year. The activities include choirs, orchestras, bands, theatre groups and student cafés.
Links to all the activity groups (only in Norwegian)
Studentsamfunnet homepage (only in Norwegian)
Useful Links
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